Replicas of the Statue of Liberty

Paris is home to several replicas of the iconic Statue of Liberty, each a testament to the enduring friendship between France and the United States. Although smaller than the original statue in New York, these replicas hold significant historical and cultural value.

1. Replica on Île aux Cygnes

One of the most notable replicas is located on Île aux Cygnes, an artificial island in the Seine River. This statue stands 11.5 meters tall and was donated by the American community in Paris in 1889 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The statue features a plaque inscribed with two significant dates: "IV JUILLET 1776," marking the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and "XIV JUILLET 1789," marking the storming of the Bastille. The statue originally faced downtown Paris, but in 1937 it was reoriented to the west, toward the United States, so it faced the original statue in New York.

2. Replica in the Luxembourg Gardens

Another notable replica can be found in the Luxembourg Gardens. This bronze model, created by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, was donated to the Luxembourg Museum in 1900 and opened to the public in 1906. Unlike its counterparts, this model does not have the date of the US Declaration of Independence; instead, it displays "November 15, 1889", marking the inauguration of the larger replica in Paris.

3. Replica in Musée des Arts et Métiers

The Musée des Arts et Métiers houses another important version of the Statue of Liberty, measuring 286 cm tall. This statue is notable because it is Bartholdi’s first completed version of Liberty in 1878. It is a valuable piece of history in the museum’s collection.

4. Replica of the Flame in the Alma Tunnel

A life-size replica of the Flame is located at the entrance to the Alma Tunnel near the Champs-Élysées. This flame was donated to Paris on the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Statue of Liberty and has become an unofficial memorial to Princess Diana, who tragically lost her life in this tunnel.

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Photo: Own photos