It is mostly in Paris and in Versailles that Franco - American history took place during the last part of the 18th century. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams came and stayed in Paris. Their personal contacts with the philosophers of the Enlightenment period influenced their ideas and work.
As you come and visit France, your immersion in the culture of a new country can be part of the history and the stories you will learn by visiting the places that people you know experienced some two hundred and fifty years ago!
Our historian guides will explain this period by recreating the main events which took place as these famous State Men were visiting and working for the Independence of the U.S.A.
It all started in Versailles:
France had been secretly helping the insurgents since May 1776. On October 17, 1777, the "insurgents" won the decisive victory of Saratoga in the state of New York and it was great news in Versailles!.
On March 20, 1778, Benjamin Franklin, 72 years old, was finally received at Versailles, by Louis XVI, who was only 24 years old.
Benjamin Franklin is the only father of America to have signed the four creative documents of the United States; the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778, the Peace Treaty with England in 1783 and the Constitution of the United States in 1787.
Visiting the Royal Apartments in the Palace of Versailles can be focussing on the events linked to the Franco - American history:
Louis XVI could read English perfectly. He spent long hours in the library of his private apartments documenting himself to follow the evolution of his foreign policy.
The ambassadors of the thirteen united provinces of North America, including Benjamin Franklin, were presented to the King on March 20, 1778 in The Salon de l'œil-de-bœuf, antechamber of the royal apartment, where
The King's Chamber, according to the ceremonial of the time, was the place of official recognition by the monarchy of the Independence of the United States and the announcement of its commitment to the side of the insurgents of North America
The Hotel des Affaires Etrangères et de la Marine is situated next to the Palace of Versailles. Built in 1761-1762, it was the House of the Foreigh Affairs and Naval Services at the time of Louis XV and Louis XVI.
It is here that the treaties of Versailles and Paris were negotiated. Both were signed on September 3rd 1783. The Treaty of Versailles ended the war between France and England. The Treaty of Paris, signed by the representatives of the thirteen American colonies and the British representatives put an end to the War of Independence.
Great Britain officially recognizes the independence of the United States of America.
You will discover where the two treaties of Paris were signed, learn about the Louisiana Purchase at the time of Jefferson and see where former U.S. Presidents lived when they stayed in Paris. The goal of this tour is to explore all the connections between France and the new Republic during the war of Independence. You will discover the reasons as to why we have so much in common. Your Licensed English-Speaking Guide, graduated from the university, will pick you up in front of your hotel or apartment in a private luxury vehicle. Before starting the tour, he will give you a complete introduction to the history and show you the exact itinerary of the tour on an appropriate map. To prepare his commentary and give you the best explanations possible, your guide traveled several times to the U.S. (Monticello, Mont Vernon, Yorktown, Philadelphia, Washington DC ….) He is therefore able to give you accurate details throughout your tour, in addition to sharing his knowledge.
AMERICAN HISTORICAL MEMORIES The Concorde Square, just between the Champs Elysées and the Tuileries Gardens, is an ideal starting point. Learn how France became the first country to recognise the independence of the new Republic in 1778, 5 years before the final treaty was signed in 1783 with Great Britain. The actual US Embassy is located nearby and was America’s first diplomatic mission. Some of the “founding fathers” such as Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were among the first representatives sent to France. See where Thomas Jefferson lived on the Champ Elysées and learn about his life in Paris. Thomas Jefferson, theorist of the American Revolution, drafted the Declaration of Independence. He replaced Benjamin Franklin as a second ambassador in France from 1785 to 1789 and was in Versailles when the French Revolution started.
Continue your revolutionary adventure whilst driving through the 16th arrondissement and the Auteuil district, situated between Paris and Versailles. At the end of the 18th century, the village of Auteuil was known as the American district. See Yorktown square, Place des Etats-Unis with the statue of Washington and Lafayette. Pass by the residence of John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.
American tour of Saint Germain
Following this, you will be driven on the left bank to see other major attractions linked to the American Revolution and you will enjoy a walk in St-Germain-des-Prés. See where Thomas Paine and John Paul Jones (the father of the United State Navy) lived when they stayed in Paris. You will have time to wander up the cobble-stone streets of the capital and explore some art galleries and very authentic books stores. A big part of the book collections of the Library of Congress was in fact purchased by Thomas Jefferson in those little streets .A significant event in American history took place on 3 September 1783 at the Hotel d’ York at 56 rue Jacob ; the signing of the Treaty of Paris between Britain and the United States, which ended the American Revolution and granted the U.S. its independence. The signing followed the American victory at the Siege of Yorktown, won with assistance of the French fleet and French army. The American delegation included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay.
At the conclusion of the tour, your guide will bring you to the oldest coffee house in Paris, the famous Café Procope opened in 1686 where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee, seated in the middle of old paintings and furniture, like Voltaire’s table or Napoleon ‘s hat which recreate the atmosphere of the time. With your guide you will relive the movement of the lights and learn about the history of this emblematic place where Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Voltaire, Diderot used to meet at the end of the 18TH century. It is here within these walls that revolutionary ideas were born in France.
PARIS & THE MEMORIES OF THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
Restaurant le Procope
founded in 1686, 13 rue de l'ancienne comédie; Benjamin Franklin is said to have drafted the terms of the treaty of friendship between France and the new United States.
When Benjamin Franklin died in 1790, a funeral service was improvised at the café in front of his portrait.
Historical décor, Benjamin-Franklin salon, portrait & bust
Hôtel de Coislin (Place de la Concorde): On February 6, 1778, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce Between the United States and France was signed on February 6, 1778; The treaty established a commercial alliance between these two nations but signed above all the military support of the Kingdom of France for the war of independence
Equestrian statue of LaFayette: promenade of the Cours de la Reine
At the end of the 19th century, there were no statues of La Fayette in the Parisian capital. It was Robert J. Thompson, a citizen of Chicago, who, wishing to thank France for the Statue of Liberty offered by France to the United States in 1886, decided to open a subscription to American schoolchildren to erect a statue to the glory of the French hero of the American War of Independence. The bronze definite statue was installed in 1908 (US –Embassy).
Corner of rue Raynouard and rue Singer Hôtel de Valentinois: At this location stood in the 18th century a vast property including an elegant mansion, the Hôtel de Valentinois, located in a park of about four hectares, and including various buildings, including an orangery and a small pavilion. It was here that Benjamin Franklin lived from 1777 to 1785, who was special representative and then first Ambassador in the history of the United States to France. (US –Embassy)
The monument in honor of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), donated to the City of Paris by the Franco-American John H. Harjes in 1906, stands in Yorktown Square, so named in tribute to the famous Battle of Yorktown, Virginia, which saw, on October 19, 1781, at the end of twenty-one days of fighting, the American insurgents, led by George Washington, and their French allies, led by Rochambeau, obtain the surrender of the British troops, commanded by Lord Cornwallis. This decisive victory sealed the end of the American Revolutionary War and paved the way for the recognition of the effective independence of the United States of America. (US –Embassy)
Place Jena, equestrian statue of George Washington (1732-1799)
Founding Father of the United States, Commander-in-Chief of American Troops during the Revolutionary War
In 1782, Washington created the Purple Heart Medal, which is still the distinction given to American servicemen wounded in action.
George Washington participates in the drafting of the Constitution
Once the constitution was passed, he was unanimously elected by the Electoral College on March 4, 1789, as the first president of the United States, and served a second term.
After his death, December 14, 1799, the young American nation mourned for several months.
At the western end of the Place des Etats-Unis stands the monument erected in honor of the general and future first President of the United States, George Washington, and Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, comrades in arms during the American War of Independence.
The two men were so close and their friendship so sincere that the Marquis appointed his son Georges Washington de Lafayette (US-Embassy)
The pedestal bears the inscription "Lafayette and Washington" tribute to France in recognition of its generous contribution in the struggle of the people of the United States for independence and freedom (US –Embassy)