You're looking at the equestrian statue of Maréchal Joffre. This bronze monument, sculpted by Auguste Maillard, was erected in 1931 in honor of this native of the region, winner of the Battle of the Marne who saved Paris in 1914. René Victor Manaut, Member of Parliament for the Pyrénées Orientales region, was responsible for its creation and erection. He launched a national fund-raising campaign, and in all the colonies where Joffre had served, to raise the money needed to build the statue. The Marechal and his wife personally chose the site. There are two equestrian statues in the region, as many were melted down during the war; the second is in Montpellier.