FINDING THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IN PARIS

Inspired by the movie The National Treasure starring Nicolas Cage, I spent almost a day trying to find the Statue of Liberty in Paris. Of all the many national and historical landmarks in Paris this is the one that me excited about my trip followed by the Louvre Museum. My friend who based in the City of Lights and her French husband tried to dissuade me. They even insisted that I should rather climb the Eiffel Tower. But the adventurous side  in me  said "NO".. So my "hunt" begun, Upon my arrival from Barcelona I went straight to Eiffel Tower and walk around the Seine River following what I had in mind that in the movie they were under a bridge and there was a river. After few hours of walking in the river bank I decided to call it a day since I will be joining the pilgrimage tour to Lourdes.

On my last day in Paris, upon returning from Lourdes my friend finally accompanied me with the help of her French boyfriend whom I called "tongtong" meaning, Uncle. Apparently he asked her co-workers where it is located and how to go there. His co-worker said that I should see him instead.. (*wide grin while shaking my head*), Finally, I met Liberty!!

It is a well know fact that the Statue of Liberty in Liberty Island in New York, USA is a gift of the French people to the American people in 1877

 There were actually two replicas in Paris. One is located on Jardin du Lexembourg , said to be the original. The other one can be found in a man made island on Seine River near the  Grenelle Bridge.This is the one shown in the National Treasure: Book of secrets movie starring Nicholas cage as I mentioned above.

 

 

 

While the Lady Liberty in the USA became an icon this statue is not known to many. It seems that only those who have knowledge about it  or maybe again, those who  were inspired by the movie  are the only once who have had visited the place. The location can also be a factor for lack of visitors because its out of the tourists path.Its like in the middle of an island and planked by high rise buildings.

Even its size is uncomparable to  the New york Statue.This one  only  measures 11.50 meters while the latter is 22 meters high.I felt like I was one of Nicolas Cage accomplices when I finally saw it!!