Statue of Liberty

You are approaching one of the most unexpected sights in Paris, the quarter-scale replica of the Statue of Liberty that stands proudly on the Île aux Cygnes. This slender, artificial island was created in the middle of the Seine to protect river traffic, and it has served as the home for this bronze monument since 1889. It was presented as a gift by the American community in Paris to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, symbolizing the enduring political bond between France and the United States. Though it is far smaller than its famous sister across the Atlantic, it holds a unique place in the city as a silent guardian of the river.