In the heart of Paris’ 16th arrondissement stands a bronze equestrian statue that might surprise passersby with its distinctly American subject.
This sculpture, designed by Daniel Chester French, honors the first president of the United States, George Washington, and commemorates the enduring Franco-American friendship.
Positioned at Place d’Iéna, Washington sits astride his horse, sword raised, a quiet yet powerful testament to the historical ties between two revolutionary nations.
Washington in the Heart of Paris
A bronze figure of George Washington astride his horse is not something you’d expect to find in Paris. Yet, here he is, presiding over a bustling roundabout with Parisian elegance.
Washington’s horse is poised mid-step, its front hoof lifted as if ready to charge into the annals of history.
Facing toward the Avenue du Président-Wilson and turning his back to the statue of Marshal Foch at Place du Trocadéro, Washington’s gaze seems fixed on the Seine, an ocean away from the nation he helped birth.
A Gift Across the Atlantic
The story behind the statue is as interesting as the figure itself. It was a gift from a committee of American women, an offering of gratitude to France for its support during the American Revolution.
On the pedestal, facing the Guimet Museum, you can read an inscription that emphasizes this bond: “Offered by the women of the United States of America in memory of the brotherly aid given by France to their fathers during the fight for independence.”
Installed in 1900, this statue celebrates the intertwined histories of two nations that fought for liberty.
A Sculptural Collaboration
The creation of the statue was a collaborative effort between Daniel Chester French, a celebrated American sculptor best known for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Edward Clark Potter, who specialized in sculpting animals.
French designed Washington, while Potter contributed to the statue’s equestrian grace by sculpting the horse. Together, they crafted a work of art that exudes strength, determination, and diplomacy — qualities embodied by Washington himself.