A giant wooden sculpture known as "Troll," which had become one of the beloved symbols of Nort-sur-Erdre, France, was deliberately set on fire in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025. The sculpture, located on a roundabout at the entrance to the city center on the D16 road, was completely destroyed in the arson attack that occurred around 3:45 AM. Local authorities have announced they will file a complaint, and a police investigation is currently underway.
Mayor Yves Dauvé visited the scene on Sunday morning to assess the damage, where he found nothing but ashes remaining of what had been a cherished piece of public art. "It was one of the symbols of the city," the mayor emphasized, expressing his shock at the destruction. The sculpture had stood proudly since 2021, greeting visitors and residents at one of the most trafficked entrances to the town.
The impressive wooden giant was both conceived and built by the city's technical services, making it a unique creation that held special meaning for the community. "It was a particular work of the city, located in a place where there was a lot of traffic. People were very attached to it," Mayor Dauvé testified, highlighting the sculpture's significance to local residents who had grown fond of the artistic landmark over the past four years.
Expressing his emotional response to the vandalism, Mayor Dauvé stated, "I am between anger and sadness." He continued with visible frustration, "What is the point of doing this? To be able to destroy for the sake of destroying? It is infinitely sad, it is distressing to be able to touch something like that." His words reflected the sentiment of many residents who viewed the destruction as a senseless act of vandalism against their community's cultural heritage.
The arson was reportedly captured on video by a local resident named Floriane Bei, providing potential evidence for the ongoing investigation. So far, no suspects have been identified by the gendarmerie, though authorities are actively pursuing leads in the case. The deliberate nature of the fire has particularly troubled local officials and residents alike.
Regarding the future of the now-empty roundabout, Mayor Dauvé acknowledged that it is still too early to determine what will replace the beloved Troll sculpture. The city will need time to process this loss and consider appropriate options for restoring some form of artistic presence to this prominent location that serves as a gateway to their community.
