Flame of Liberty, Monument near Pont de l'Alma, Paris, France.
The Flame of Liberty is a sculpture in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, near the Seine and close to the Pont de l'Alma. Made of copper and covered with gold leaf, the torch rises from a low stone base and replicates the shape of the torch held by the Statue of Liberty in New York.
An American company gave the torch to the city of Paris in 1989 to mark the centenary of its operations in France. The structure was intended to honor the long connection between the two countries.
People come here to leave messages and flowers, especially on the anniversary of a tragic accident that occurred nearby. The site has become a quiet meeting point for those who wish to remember and pay their respects.
The easiest way to get there is by metro to the Alma-Marceau station on Line 9, from where it is a short walk. The sculpture stands on a plaza by the river that can be visited at any time and is clearly visible from the street.
Although the torch was originally meant to symbolize French-American friendship, it became an informal memorial site for a princess after 1997. Many visitors do not know that the two events are unrelated, yet the base now carries traces of both stories.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
