arriver comme Belsunce

To turn up somewhere without bringing anything

Said of someone who turns up at a party or gathering with nothing to offer, hands as empty as the statue's.

Pour l'anniversaire de Karim, il est arrivé comme Belsunce, pas même une bouteille.

For Karim's birthday, he turned up like Belsunce, not even a bottle.

Refers to the statue of Monseigneur de Belsunce, the 18th century bishop of Marseille, standing in front of the Cathédrale de la Major with his palms turned up and his hands empty.

Marseille