George Washington Statue

George Washington never travelled to France, yet he was extremely popular from 1776 onwards. His name was synonymous of the fight for Liberty and the Independance of the United States.

After the American Revolution, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to France, filled with admiration for the man he considered a mentor and surogate father.

Lafayette repeatedly invited Washington to France but the concern of being captured by British ships was the main reason he declined the invitations. After being elected President, the idea of such long sea voyage was simply out of the question.

Upon Washington’s passing in December 1799, Napoleon who was then the new head of the French Republic, declared a TEN day national mourning in honor of George Washington. In the whole history of France, no other figure has - before or after - ever received such an extended hommage. Vive l'Amérique, Vive George Washington!