What is more enduring than a symbol? Look around you. We are standing before the Flamme Sculpture. This isn’t just any flame. It’s a potent reminder of the bond between France and the United States, a full-sized replica of the torch held high by the Statue of Liberty. The Flamme Sculpture was a gift to France in 1989. It commemorated the International Herald Tribune’s centennial of publishing an English-language newspaper in Paris. But there’s more to this sculpture than meets the eye. The Flamme Sculpture took on a life of its own after a tragic event in 1997. The death of Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in the tunnel just beneath this very spot, resonated around the world. People were drawn to the flame’s symbolism of hope and liberty. It transformed into an unofficial memorial for the People’s Princess. Mourners began leaving messages and flowers, a tradition that continues to this day. The Flamme Sculpture stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of symbols. It represents Franco-American friendship. It also embodies the global mourning for a beloved princess.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.