After dedicating 800 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, 71-year-old Guy Heuzé has completed a massive 13-foot-tall statue commissioned by the town of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer in Calvados, France. The impressive sculpture represents the "Queen of Iodine," a symbolic figure that has come to embody the coastal town's identity and therapeutic maritime heritage.

Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, located on the Nacre Coast north of Caen in Calvados, transformed into a popular seaside resort destination during the 19th century. During this period of coastal tourism development, many municipalities adopted distinctive nicknames to promote their unique attractions. Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer chose the term "Queen of Iodine" to highlight "the medicinal virtues of seawater and its invigorating air," according to the local tourism office.

In November 2024, Mayor Alexandre Berty approached Guy Heuzé with an ambitious proposal. The former industrial engineering professor, who began his professional career at SMN, didn't hesitate to accept the challenging project. "I was asked to create something quite large, 4 meters high, based on representations of the Queen of Iodine depicted on Belle Époque posters," Heuzé explained. The design draws inspiration from vintage tourism advertisements featuring "silhouettes of bathers from bygone days," as described by the city hall.

The construction process proved to be an intensive undertaking that required more than seven months of dedicated work. Heuzé meticulously "designed, then cut, drilled, bent, sanded, and welded 120 meters of steel wire" to bring the sculpture to life. The final assembly took place at the city's technical services facility, where municipal workers assisted in creating a concrete base to support the elegant structure.

The completed statue weighs 150 kilograms and features the characteristic pose of holding a ball, reminiscent of the famous vintage posters that inspired its creation. The sculpture captures the graceful essence of Belle Époque bathers while serving as a modern tribute to the town's historical identity. The artwork was officially inaugurated on July 14, 2025, coinciding with France's national holiday.

This summer, the statue has been making appearances at various local events and celebrations, including the Sea Week festival held from August 10-16. "Afterward, it will be permanently installed somewhere in Saint-Aubin. The city hall is currently considering the location," Heuzé revealed. The artist expressed satisfaction with the community's response, noting, "I've received quite positive feedback about this statue."

Reflecting on his motivation for the project, Heuzé emphasized his volunteer commitment to the endeavor. "I did this for pleasure as a volunteer. I love what I do; it's a passion, the same one I used to share with my students when I was a teacher," he said. His dedication to the craft and community service exemplifies the spirit of artistic contribution that enriches local cultural heritage and tourism appeal.