Statue of Liberty in Paris at a Glance
Positioned between the Grenelle and Bir-Hakeim bridges on the southern tip of the Île aux Cygnes, the Statue of Liberty in Paris stands as one of the most famous replicas among many in existence. Built from the model created by its sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, it was given to France by the American diaspora living there three years after the unveiling of its older New York sibling, Liberty Enlightening the World.
While sharing the same form, they differ in size, construction materials, and geographic orientation. The Paris landmark reaches 12 meters, whereas the original is four times larger. The art foundry Thiébaut Frère cast it in bronze, while the American version was built in copper by Gustave Eiffel. Set facing the nearby tower of the same name less than 2 km away, it originally faced away from the United States to avoid turning its back on the Élysée Palace!
Inaugurated by Sadi Carnot for the 1889 World's Fair, its orientation was turned around during the 1937 exhibition. Take a look at the commemorative plaque on its pedestal, where the dates of both the French and American revolutions are inscribed. As a curious footnote, during the Year of France in Japan, it was loaned to the Land of the Rising Sun, which was so impressed by its popularity that it later acquired a replica of its own.
You do not actually need to walk onto the Île aux Cygnes to catch a good view of it, since taking a sightseeing boat cruise along the river makes for a superior vantage point. Another option is viewing it directly from the Eiffel Tower!
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I had often heard about this miniature Statue of Liberty, but I had never taken the time to go see it. I saw it at night during a dinner cruise on the Seine and it is quite beautiful and unusual to look at. However, the sculpture is not worth the trip on its own. You can take the opportunity to go shopping at Beaugrenelle.
It is also a meeting point for athletes. Just below the statue, on the Île aux Cygnes, small climbing walls and punching bags have been installed. Surprising.