Liberty. What does this word evoke for you as we stand here at the Rond-point de la Liberté?
The Rond-point de la Liberté, though it might seem like just another Parisian roundabout, carries echoes of a grand symbol of freedom. It is a subtle reminder of the Franco-American friendship. A friendship that birthed the Statue of Liberty.
France gifted the Statue of Liberty to America in 1886. It was to commemorate the centennial of American Independence. The statue became an icon. It greeted immigrants arriving in New York. Many liberals in France hoped to inspire the French people. They wanted them to call for democracy, freedom, and justice. This was in the face of a repressive monarchy.
Paris decided to keep parts of this symbol. Today, you can find not one, but six Statues of Liberty in Paris. One stands on the Île aux Cygnes. Another resides in the Jardin du Luxembourg. Two more are at the Musée des Arts et Métiers. There is also the Flame of Liberty near the Pont de l’Alma. And a secret one hides in the Place Michel Debré.
The statue on the Île aux Cygnes is a quarter-size replica. It was gifted by the American community in Paris. This commemorated the centennial of the French Revolution. The statue’s tablet bears two dates. July 4, 1776. This is the date of American Independence. And 1789. This marks the start of the French Revolution.
The statue in the Jardin du Luxembourg is an original bronze model. Auguste Bartholdi himself gifted it. It stood for over a century. It was then moved to the Musée d’Orsay. A replica stands in its place.
The Musée des Arts et Métiers holds two statues. One is the original plaster model used to create the New York statue. The other is a bronze casting from that model.
The Flame of Liberty near the Pont de l’Alma is a replica of the Statue of Liberty’s flame. It was gifted by the International Herald Tribune. It commemorated America’s bicentenary. Tragically, it became an unofficial memorial for Princess Diana. She died in a car accident nearby.
Even the statue of Louis XV was removed and melted down. This happened after the fall of the monarchy. A statue of Liberty replaced it.
So, as we stand at the Rond-point de la Liberté, remember the story. Remember the statues scattered throughout Paris. They are echoes of a powerful idea. They symbolize the enduring quest for liberty. They represent the bond between France and the United States. They celebrate freedom. A value worth cherishing and defending.