Wednesday July 18 in Paris

   

Today was quite a "Patriot" day. We started out at St. Roch church that is noted in some guide books as the most beautiful Baroque church in Paris. While Janice looked at the art, I knew I remembered a "Patriot" connection. I found the tomb
of Admiral De Grasse. He was the experienced naval officer who accompanied General Rochambeau from France to America. Together, the two offered their expertise to Washington and the Continental army. It was De Grasse who bottled up the Chesapeake, prevented the British navy from reinforcing Cornwallis, and set the stage for the land troops to win the battle of Yorktown. The dark church did not allow for a better picture. So sorry.

Part of the inscription reads: .,,,he gained everlasting glory having insured the
independence of the United States of America. It also adds ...in memory of this military
victory of immeasurable consequences.

Later in the day, I visited the part of Paris where I became acquainted with the most "Patriot" monuments,  In the 16th arrondissment, there are many tributes to Americans.   Here again, is one to Admiral de Grasse.

This detail shows the silhouettes of Washington, De Grasse, and Rochambeau.

This is one more monument to DeGrasse on his ship, the Ville de Paris. I read in Alice's book that after the victory at Yorktown, De Grasse invited Washington, Lafayette, and Rochambeau on the ship to celebrate. He called George Washington "mon petit General". Interestingly, this great naval hero never put his feet on American soil.

Here is another spot to find the Patriots.  One of my favorite statues is located on this place or square .  Take a look at Washington and Lafayette.  You might already know that
Washington did not have any children of his own.  Lafayette did not have his parents as both died while he was still very young.  These two men bonded and developed a father-son relationship.  Lafayette returned to the United States twice after the American
Revolution.  He also named his son George Washington Lafayette.

The inscription reads:  Washington and Lafayette
Hommage to France for its generous contribution to the struggle to the people of the
United States  fro independence and liberty. 

Around this statue are many more streets and monuments to the War for Independence.

This French admiral led the first fleet sent to help the "Insurgents', as the French called
them. 

This park is often filled with young children playing.  I hope they learn about the
namesake.

Just a few blocks away, here is another monument to the French military helping the Americans.   This is General Rochambeau. 

Of course, here is George Washington.  The statue was a gift from the women of the United States.

              

This is one of the several copies of the Statue of Liberty in Paris.

More memorials to Americans are here in the 16th.   This one commemorates Americans who joined the French army before the United States participated in that war. (I've lost this picture several times.   I will try to publish it again later.  Please excuse). 

Here is one  to the American ambassador who served during war time.

President Wilson lived in this area while he attended the Peace Conference after WWI

Aside from all the carping of tourists and newscasters, I am certain that the French people are great fans and friends of the Americans.   Today was proof of that.  

What travel experiences have you had  that indicate what the rest of the world thinks of Americans?