The monumental sculpture "Le Monstre du Loch Ness" (The Loch Ness Monster) by renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle has returned to its beloved location on the square near the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) in Nice. The artwork, which had been removed from its original site three years ago, was reinstalled during a nighttime operation on October 13, 2025, much to the anticipation of locals and tourists alike.
The massive sculpture was completely draped in black and secured with numerous adhesive ribbons during its dramatic return to its preferred location. For nearly a quarter-century, the colorful monster had stood proudly on the square between Nice's theater and MAMAC, captivating both the affectionate gazes of Nice residents and the amazed stares of visitors from around the world.
The sculpture's temporary removal became necessary when the demolition of Nice's theater was approved. The dragon-like creature, covered with mirrors, ceramics, and glass, was carefully relocated to ensure its preservation. Between October 2022 and March 2023, the monster was displayed in Toulouse before returning to Nice, where it found temporary shelter under the Spada Hall, surrounded by artists in residence.
During its time in storage, the artwork underwent extensive restoration work that was desperately needed. The sculpture had begun to show signs of wear from both time and the countless hands of admirers who had touched it over the years. The monumental piece, constructed with a metal structure coated in polyester, stands five meters tall and weighs nearly 600 kilograms. Through careful restoration efforts, the sculpture has regained the brilliance of its early days, with approximately 544 pieces of glass and ceramic being reattached.
The reinstallation process required an enormous crane to position the monster almost exactly in its original spot on the former square during the night of Tuesday, October 13 to Wednesday, October 14. The artwork is part of a series titled "Les Animaux Blessés" (The Wounded Animals), which highlights the influence of animals and imaginary creatures in the artist's work.
The Loch Ness Monster is a legendary creature supposedly living, or having lived, in Loch Ness, a lake in the Scottish Highlands. Saint Phalle's version came to life in 1993 and perfectly embodies her conception of art: art must break out of conventional frameworks, be accessible to everyone, and develop in public spaces. These monumental outdoor works allowed her, as she said, "a direct relationship with the public, joyful, different and inclusive."
What makes Saint Phalle's monsters particularly appealing is their friendly nature despite their imposing size. The colors of the "Loch Ness Monster" change depending on the location, weather conditions, and reflect the public around it. This demonstrates the artist's desire to tame her fears while creating a connection with the public.
The monster feels particularly at home in front of MAMAC, as the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art houses one of the three largest collections of Niki de Saint Phalle's work in the world. The major 20th-century artist donated 190 works to the museum, making it a significant repository of her artistic legacy.
Monsters are an integral part of the artist's universe, similar to her "Monster of Soisy" created in 1966 using plaster, objects, various materials, and paint, which is now exhibited at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. "The Monster of Soisy" takes the form of a chimerical prehistoric animal that has the distinctive feature of standing on its three hind legs, telling as much about her fantastic imagination as her inner struggles.
The self-taught artist created a world of chimeras and myths inspired by mythology, children's tales, and medieval bestiaries. She mixed real and supernatural animals, monsters and dinosaurs, as symbolic figures that told her own story in a certain way. The "Loch Ness Monster" is particularly representative of Saint Phalle's plastic production in the first half of the 1960s, with many works composed of a metal mesh structure over which strips of fabric and newspaper are stretched and glued with plaster.
The artwork was originally conceived as a fountain, and previously it was equipped with a water jet assembly at the level of the monster's mouth. While the materials that constitute it make the structure fragile over time, the opportunity of its restoration could allow for slight modifications. There are rumors that a system allowing steam to emerge from the monster's mouth might be considered in the future.
The actual return of the work could not be fully documented, as access to the square was restricted during filming of its placement, likely for confidentiality reasons to preserve a complete surprise for the inauguration of "Promenade du Paillon, season 2" scheduled for Saturday, October 18. The return of this beloved sculpture marks not only the restoration of a significant artwork but also the reunion of Nice's residents with a cherished symbol that has become an integral part of the city's cultural landscape.
