The Catherine Ségurane monument is a tribute to the laundress who became a symbol of bravery and resistance during one of the city’s darkest hours. In fifteen hundred and forty-three, during the Siege of Nice, the city was under attack by the combined forces of the Ottoman Empire and the French army. The siege was intense, and the city’s defenses were being severely tested. According to legend, Catherine Ségurane, a humble laundress, performed an act of extraordinary bravery that turned the tide of the siege. The story goes that Catherine, armed only with her laundry paddle, confronted a Turkish soldier who was attempting to plant the Ottoman flag on the city walls. She struck him down, seized the flag, and tore it to pieces. But that wasn’t all. In a bold and defiant gesture, she lifted her skirts and mooned the Turkish forces, demoralizing them and rallying the city’s defenders. This act of defiance became legendary, symbolizing the spirit and resilience of the people of the city. Catherine Ségurane’s courage and quick thinking are credited with helping to save the city from being overrun. While the details of the story may have been embellished over the centuries, the essence of her bravery has made her a local hero. The monument you see here was erected to commemorate her valor. It features a bas-relief sculpture depicting Catherine in the act of striking down the Turkish soldier. The plaque beneath the sculpture reads: 'To Catherine Ségurane, the heroine who saved Nice during the Turkish siege of fifteen hundred and forty-three.' This simple yet powerful tribute serves as a reminder of her extraordinary deed. Let us now move to the last stop on our tour.