A massive 9-meter-tall sculpture called "Heron's Nest" is currently being assembled across from the Prairie of Caen in Calvados, France. The installation, which began in early September 2025, features several metallic structures being erected skyward as part of an ambitious botanical artwork project.
The sculpture represents a collaboration between Metal Academy, Botanic, and Institut Lemonnier, showcasing local metallurgy expertise while serving an educational purpose. According to Alexandra Rousier, director of Caen Events, the project "highlights local know-how in metallurgy and fits into a pedagogical approach of transmission and shared creation." The artwork pays tribute to a significant element of Caen's natural heritage - the neighboring prairie, which is classified as an ornithological reserve known for its heron population.
The installation will welcome visitors at the main entrance of the Exhibition Park, facing the prairie, starting Friday, September 19, 2025, for the duration of the International Fair of Caen. Organizers are calling this presentation a "major first" and an "exclusive" unveiling. The current assembly process involves positioning large metallic elements that will later be dressed with vegetation to complete the botanical design.
Originally, this collaborative project was scheduled to debut during the Opera Parade, but various circumstances prevented its completion at that time. Amélie Clément, the conductor of the grand Millennium parade created and produced by the Caen-based company Le Ballon Vert, confirmed that "this collaborative project with Botanic and Institut Lemonnier was planned to emerge during the Opera Parade, but for different reasons, the project wasn't ready." As a result, the International Fair of Caen will serve as the exclusive venue for the sculpture's first public presentation.
The "Heron's Nest" installation represents more than just an artistic endeavor - it symbolizes the intersection of local craftsmanship, environmental awareness, and community collaboration. By incorporating both industrial metalwork and living vegetation, the sculpture creates a dialogue between human creativity and the natural ecosystem of the Caen prairie, particularly honoring the majestic herons that have made the area their home.
