Here’s the inside guide for how to find all the Statue of Liberty replicas in Paris. Note: One of the liberties is on loan to the US, so technically there are only seven.
First: a lightning quick guide for those who don’t know: The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and constructed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the man who made the Eiffel Tower). Liberty was gifted the to US by the French in the late 1880s.
So, here’s where to find the Liberty statues in Paris (and beyond).
1. The biggest
The grandest replica of all is just off the Grenelle Bridge on the little man-made island called Île aux Cygnes. That’s it pictured above (and below). While Liberty in New York was a gift from the French, this statue in Paris was a gift from the Americans. And it’s the biggest too, at 11.50 metres (37 feet 9 inches).
2. The hardest to find
There’s a Liberty nestled in the Jardin de Luxembourg in the sixth arrondissement. You can find it on the western edge of the park. Here’s what it looks like today. It’s just one of many, many statues in the park, so you’re forgiven if you can’t find her straight away.
3. The most prestigious
Head inside the famed Musee d’Orsay on the Left Bank to find this Liberty, which is located in the grand central aisle on the ground floor.
In fact, if you want an in-depth history of Lady Liberty and France, head over to the Musee d’Orsay’s site for much more information.
4 and 5. The closest two Lady Libs
If you want a two-for-one deal, head to the Arts-et-Metiers museum in the third arrondissement. There’s a Liberty replica right out the front of the building (well, not anymore… it’s on loan to the US). And if you head inside the museum, there’s another perched atop a display in the centre of the main hall.
6. The smallest
You’ll have to look very closely for this one. First you’ve got to find the 5m tall statue called Le Centaure at 2 Place Michel Debré in the 6th arrondissement. It was made by French artist César in 1985 and depicts a centaur. And emerging from the breastplate of this centaur you might be able to see a tiny liberty poking out! Full statue followed by a closeup:
7. The private Liberty
A listener alerted me to this one and it’s inside a private building. But, if you ever happen to have business at 5 rue du Cirque in the 8th you’ll see a sizeable Liberty in the lobby. Here’s a closer look.
8. The floatiest
Thanks to a follower, I learned there’s an EIGHTH Liberty on top of a péniche by the Eiffel Tower. Who’d have thought? Here’s a pic via my Instagram account (go follow for much more from Paris).
Bonus: The biggest sample
You can find a 1:1 scale replica of the Flame of Liberty above the entrance to the Pont de l’Alma bridge on the Right Bank. The replica has become an unofficial memorial to Princess Diana, who died in the tunnel below.
So there you have it, eight replicas and one flame replica. But wait, there’s more!
In fact, there are many, many more. You can find replicas of the Statue of Liberty all around France including a 12-metre high version in Colmar, a terracotta replica in Lyon, and one in Bordeaux that was seized by Nazis in World War Two (and replaced many years later).
That’s it! If you like these tips, be sure to check out The Earful Tower’s Guide to Paris and maybe have a listen to one or two of my Paris podcast episodes.
Happy 4th of July! Thanks for the information. I always love listening to the Earful Tower! It’s one of my favorite treats of the week.
That’s the best comment I’ve read all day, thanks a lot!
Ther is one that my father Charles H. Coddington had carved and one first prize at the Florida state fair and looks identical to the one on Ellis Island but a small scale.
I knew there were 4….but the one in the gardens I missed as I don’t usually go to the gardens in the winter…but the one at Arts Et Métiers I see every day as I am right there!…thanks for the information xx kerrin and Leia
Now you’ve got something else to find for your next trip!
Wow I had no idea there were that many. thanks for the information.
Binge listening before I leave for Europe. Only 3 days in Paris (mainly visiting a friend) this time. Main focus of the trip is a home exchange in Brittany. Great podcast!
Hi Oliver! We stayed in a hotel near the Jardin last summer on the 4th of July so saw that one and 2 others in Paris and then one in Nice on Promenade des Anglais. Love the show!
There are 2 others ones you didn’t mentioned . One on top of a Peniche just in from of Eiffel Tower and the other one is a little one part of another statue/monument 🙂
You’re right! In fact I sound the statue one at the weekend. Will have to update this story!
I have enjoyed reading this awesome post about the incredible Paris Statues of Liberty! Thanks for sharing this info not known to the general visitor!
There use to be one in Hanoi Vietnam but gọt distroyed in 1945.
It is amazing how France demonstrates the value of “friendship.” Always thought that the Statue of Liberty in the USA was the only statue in existence. Now I have an urgent need to visit Paris and see all the sister ladies to our beautiful Statue of Liberty. Thank you for the great history lesson.
Not a “replica” of the original, but a prank turned patriotic statue in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Would be a 9th. Google search “Harrisburg pa statue of Liberty”
Just read in McAuliffe’s Dawn of the Belle Epoque book that 5 bronze replicas were cast for France after the 1886 dedication. 3 of them were melted down by the Germans for ammunition during WWII (sad…) and one disappeared after that. Only one remained in Paris at the west pool in the Luxembourg Gardens (cast in 1889). I wondered if that lost bronze is one of these other?