He has felt caresses on his little bald head: the “lucky” monkey of Mons has left the place it has occupied since the 18th century with a view to being restored. The little primate has rubbed shoulders with kings, queens and a whole host of personalities, many anonymous too, since stroking the monkey has been a sign of luck for decades.
Why was it dismantled?
But over time, the animal has aged. And even if its overall appearance has not changed, the animal must be restored: at the back, the bronze is itchy from the years. Authorities have taken advantage of ongoing restoration work at City Hall to give the iconic little monkey a makeover. The statue is therefore recovering at the artothèque, the Mons heritage conservation center, a stone’s throw from the future Mons station, while waiting to be restored.
The exact origin of the monkey is unknown, as the precise Sudinfo : one wonders if it was not the sign of an inn, or the work of a blacksmith who wanted to expose his know-how.