How Many Statues of Liberty Are in Paris?

By Anna Duncan

Paris is a city that is renowned for its art, architecture, and culture. Amongst the many iconic landmarks that Paris boasts of, the Statue of Liberty stands tall as a symbol of freedom and liberty. But did you know that there are not one but several Statues of Liberty in Paris?

The Story Behind the Statues

The Statue of Liberty in New York City was gifted to the United States by France to celebrate their alliance during the American Revolution. Designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the statue was inaugurated in 1886 on Liberty Island. However, before the statue was shipped to America, Bartholdi created several smaller versions of it for fundraising purposes.

It is believed that around 12 small-scale replicas of the Statue of Liberty were made by Bartholdi himself. Out of these, three are known to be in Paris.

Statues in Paris

One of the statues can be found on Île aux Cygnes (Swans Island) in the Seine River. It stands at 22 meters tall and faces west towards its larger sister statue in New York City. The statue was gifted to Paris by Americans living in France on Independence Day in 1889.

Another replica can be found at Musée d’Orsay, one of Paris’s most famous museums. This statue was gifted to France by the newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer as a token of friendship between France and America.

The third Statue of Liberty can be found on the Grenelle Bridge over River Seine. It stands at 11.5 meters tall and faces west towards its bigger sister in New York City.

Conclusion

In short, there are three statues of liberty located within Paris – one on Île aux Cygnes, one at Musée d’Orsay and another on Grenelle Bridge over River Seine. Though they may not be as famous as the one in New York City, they still hold a significant place in French-American history and add to the charm of Paris.