There's no doubt that when visiting New York, the Statue of Liberty is a must-see. This immense iron sculpture has become the emblematic symbol of the Big Apple.
But what not everyone knows is that there is a replica - albeit much smaller - in the city of Paris.
In this article, we tell you the story of the Statue of Liberty in Paris and its relationship with its "big sister" in New York - one of the most unusual things to see in Paris.
French in origin, universal in scope
Also known as the Statue of Liberty in French, it was the brainchild of artist Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who crossed the Atlantic in June 1871 with the proposal for this monumental statue, destined to be installed at the entrance to New York harbor.
The colossal head of the Statue of Liberty was exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1878. The project came to fruition in 1885, thanks to the architect Viollet-le-Duc, known for restoring numerous Gothic churches in France. In collaboration with him, the statue's base was designed, and the project was presented as a symbol of the Franco-American alliance.
The New York statue, born in France
The entire statue, which can be admired today in New York, was manufactured in France, then sent dismantled to the United States, where it was assembled in 1886 to celebrate the centenary of the American Declaration of Independence.
The famous Gustave Eiffel, father of the eponymous tower, also took part in the project, creating the statue's internal metal structure.
The Parisian replica: a discreet tribute
The Statue of Liberty in Paris is a scaled-down replica of the one in New York - about one-fifth the size. It was financed by the French community living in the United States.
It can be admired on the Île aux Cygnes, an artificial islet created in 1827 on the Seine, near the Pont de Grenelle.
A symbolic direction
It was inaugurated in 1889, to mark the centenary of the French Revolution and the end of absolutism. Originally, the statue was oriented to the east, with its back to the United States, which strongly displeased its creator. This went against the original intention: to symbolize the friendship between France and the United States.
It wasn't until 1937 that the statue was turned into its current position, finally facing America.
A symbol steeped in history
The Statue of Liberty depicts a woman dressed in a toga and wearing a seven-pointed crown. She raises her right arm holding a torch, and holds in her left hand a tablet engraved with two dates:
July 4, 1776: The United States Declaration of Independence
July 14, 1789: the storming of the Bastille, beginning of the French Revolution
Where to see it in Paris
To visit the Statue of Liberty in Paris, you can take the metro to Bir-Hakeim or simply walk from the Eiffel Tower.
But this isn 't the only replica of the statue in Paris! You'll also find :
in the Luxembourg Gardens
at the Musée d'Orsay
and at the Musée des Arts et Métiers, where you can admire the original plaster model.
Practical advice
If you're planning to visit Paris, I recommend you get the Paris City Pass.
It includes tickets to several must-see monuments, transfer from the airport to your hotel, and discounts for many attractions.
