On the promenade in Vevey, on the northeast side of Lake Geneva, are three sculptures of nymphs riding seahorses. Although often referred to as mermaids, these are more accurately nymphs or water spirits – one is a child (in the pool) and the other two (in the lake) are adults, one holding a sphere and the other holding a conch, while riding bridled seahorses. The sculptures are known as “Jeunes filles jouant sur des hippocampes”, which means “Young women playing on seahorses”. They were created in 1967 by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz, who produced almost 1800 sculptures in his lifetime.
Vevey is a beautiful town with a history going back more than 4000 years. It was the home of Charlie Chaplin and his family for the last 25 years of his life.
Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Switzerland and one of the largest in Europe. In addition to these mermaid/seahorse sculptures, Lake Geneva is also inhabited by Sirene du Lac – the Mermaid of the Lake – which has a separate statue near Geneva at the other end of the lake.
You can see more photos and detail on the page dedicated to the Lake Geneva Seahorse Mermaids.
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