Place des Etats-Unis (United States Square), Paris

Originally named the Place de Bitche, this square's name was changed to the Place des États-Unis in 1881, when the American ambassador established the American embassy in Paris. Alongside this renaming, an American-style garden inspired by Battery Park in New York was created, as well as the Thomas Jefferson Square.

While the park and square are surrounded by splendid houses, they are also home to the Musée Baccarat crystal museum and the Cristal Room Restaurant. With its benches, lamp posts imported from the United States, railings along the pathways, as well as various flowers, bushes, and trees, the park serves as a peaceful haven for tourists in Paris. A young sycamore, originating from the island housing the Statue of Liberty in New York, was planted here in 1987 in the presence of the U.S. Ambassador.

Within the park, you'll also find different statues and monuments, including the one dedicated to General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, comrades in arms during the American Revolutionary War. Commissioned by the renowned journalist Joseph Pulitzer, this bronze statue was sculpted by Frédéric Bartholdi and inaugurated in 1895. Another monument commemorates Horace Wells, an American dentist and pioneer in the use of anesthesia.

Additionally, there is a memorial dedicated to American volunteers who fought for France during WWI. Inaugurated on July 4, 1923, the American Independence Day, the memorial pays tribute to fallen soldiers, with inspiration drawn from the soldier and poet Alan Seeger. The bronze statue stands on a plinth displaying his name and others who served in the French Foreign Legion.

Before moving on to other monuments and landmarks in the city, take a few minutes to appreciate the tranquility and rich history of this unique location.