The completed bronze group was exhibited at the Universal Exposition of 1878 shortly after Louis's death. By that time, however, the political climate was much less favorable to the celebration of Charlemagne given the latter's monarchical and German associations. Charles Rochet offered to cover the cost of the 15-ton group's erection in order to facilitate its location on a suitable Parisian site. On Eugène Viollet-le-Duc's recommendation and after some controversy, the Paris municipal council accepted the offer in January 1879 and endorsed the Parvis Notre-Dame as a "provisional" location. The group was erected there in 1882, on a wooden pedestal designed by Viollet-le-Duc.