AMERICANS IN PARIS : STATUES OF LIBERTY IN PARIS

Did you know that Paris has 7 replicas of the famous Statue of Liberty? Follow us on a tour around the capital to know more about each one. A fun way of discovering Paris with children, a great family outing requiring no booking or schedule! Will you be able to spot the miniature hidden one?

A TINY BIT OF HISTORY :

The Statue of Liberty whose full name is Liberty Enlightening the World was designed by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and constructed in France by Gustave Eiffel, the very man who built the Eiffel Tower. It was gifted by the French to America to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the country’s independence. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

WHERE TO SEE THE PARISIAN STATUES OF LIBERTY?

IN THE LUXEMBOURG GARDEN : Maybe not the most famous but definitely our favorite, the Luxembourg garden known for its numerous sculptures of the Queens of France also features a 2,85m high (over 112 inches) statue of Liberty.

It is nestled among the trees in the western edge of the park, its back faces the rue de Guynemer. It was presented during the Universal exhibit of 1900 and then gifted by Auguste Bartholdi to the museum of the Luxembourg. In 2012, someone played a nasty joke and stole her torch! The statue had to be dismantled and repaired. It was then placed in the Musée d’Orsay and a new copy was put back in the gardens.

AT THE MUSÉE D’ORSAY :

A second one is therefore still visible today in the Musée d’Orsay, former train station transformed into an art museum. If you are curious to know more about the full story of the Statue of Liberty, head over to the Lady Liberty of Orsay page.

Address : Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France

Opening hours : 9.30am to 6pm - closed on Mondays

Musée d’Orsay website

Picture credit : https://flickr.com/photos/79586279@N00/14685276302

ON L’ÎLE DES CYGNES :

Probably the most famous one and certainly the biggest (measuring over 37 feet), a replica gifted to Paris by America can be admired on the man made island L’Île aux Cygnes at the Pont de Grenelle level. It was initially turned towards the Palais de l’Elysées but since 1937 it faces the one in New York. You can see it beautifully from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Address : Pont de Grenelle – Paris 15
Métro : Javel (ligne 10) ou Bir Hakeim (ligne 6)

Picture credit : https://www.flickr.com/photos/dugspr/

TWO AT THE MUSÉE DES ARTS ET MÉTIERS :

Founded as a “store of new and useful inventions”, the Musée des Arts et Métiers dedicated to scientific and technological progress (great for curious little explorers) holds two statues.

One stands outside the building and is made of bronze. The second is in the main hall. It is the original plaster used during the design process.

Address : 60 Rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris, France

Opening hours : Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Late night opening until 9pm on Fridays.

Musée des Arts et Métiers website

Picture credit : https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Musée_des_Arts_et_Métiers_-_Montage_de_la_tête_en_cuivre_martele_du_Statue_de_la_Liberté._vers_1880.jpg

THE FLAME OF LIBERTY :

A huge 1:1 golden scale replica of the Flame of the original statue’s torch offered by the Americans to the French stands proudly above the entrance to the Pont de l’Alma on the Right Bank of the River Seine.

Following the death of Lady Diana in a car crash in the tunnel below, it has become an unofficial memorial to the princess.

Address : 7 Place de l'Alma, 75008 Paris, France

Picture credit https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:P1030749_Paris_XV_Avenue_de_New-York_et_Flamme_de_la_Liberté_rwk.JPG

A STATUE IN A STATUE :

Well hidden, a tiny reproduction of the Statue of Liberty lies within the beard of the artist César’s bronze Centaur.

Located in the 6th arrondissement place Michel Debré not far from the famous Bon Marché department, will you be able to spot it?

Address : Place Michel Debré 75006

DRESS TIP :

To explore Paris, what better than a timeless classic French smocked dress?

Visit our baby and children’s Parisian clothing boutique L’Île aux Fées 66 rue Notre Dame des Champs 75006 ( open from Tuesday to Saturday from 2pm to 7pm) or shop online at Charlotte sy Dimby.com