The story begins with the project of a French politician: Édouard de Laboulaye. In 1865, he wanted to celebrate in a significant way the 100 years of the declaration of independence of the United States. An eminent jurist, deputy, senator and passionate about the history of the United States, Édouard de Laboulaye followed the Civil War with passion. In 1875, a year before the 100th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the United States, he launched a subscription to build an exceptional work.

It is a monument that acts as a link between the towns that surround it. He must rise above the waves to guide immigrants and travellers. Finally, the building must embody “Freedom enlightening the world”. Its realization is entrusted to the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi. The Statue of Liberty was inaugurated in New York on October 28, 1886.

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TO KNOW

The torch that now rests on the right hand of the Statue of Liberty is not the original. The statue was a beacon and was meant to guide ships reaching the ports and docks that surround New York. The torch has its own power plant and now contains metal halide lamps with a voltage of 250 watts each. The original 1886 torch is now on display in the lobby of the Monuments Museum.