July 16 in Paris

Here is a sunny day for walking and exploring in Paris.   My "Patriot" quest took me to 40 rue Cherche Midi in the 6th arrondissment.  This was the residence of the the Comte de Rochambeau.  At the time of the American Revolution, he was 55 years old and preparing to retire from a life-long career in service to the French Army.  Louis XVI had another idea.   He appointed Rochambeau to be the leader of French troops that were to aid the "Insurgents" in their war for independence.  The Comte sailed for America with more than 5,000 French soldiers and officers.  Upon arrival, he placed himself "under the orders" of George Washington.  The French troops were stationed at Newport and the wary population watched as they departed their ships.   Rochambeau ordered his soldiers to behave with utmost decorum, and the Americans fell in love with them.  (American have always loved men with French accents).  Even though the Comte claimed to be subordinate to Washington, the experienced warrior along with comrade, Admiral De Grasse concocted the plan to surround Cornwallis at Yorktown.   Of course it worked and today Rochambeau is sometimes called another "Founding Father".  

Rochambeau lived in this house before and after the American Revolution.   It was also here that French officers from that war met to organize the French chapter of the Society of Cincinnati. (That is an organization started by veteran officers of the War who hoped to emulate the life of the Roman hero, Cincinnatus.  They along, with the French chapter of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, organize the ceremony at the Picpus cemetery every year.  Take a look at their website.
http://societyofthecincinnati.org/about/organization

 How about this?  As we were walking today, I discovered this beautiful candle shop.  Digging into my memory bank, I remembered reading about the candle maker of Louis XVI still operating today.  Sure enough, we found it.  The name of the shop is Cire Trvdon.  Imagine all the candles needed to light the chandeliers  at Versailles.   They came from here.