Background
It was offered to Paris in 1989 by the ''International Herald Tribune'' on behalf of donors who had contributed approximately $400,000 for its fabrication. It represented the culmination of that newspaper's 1987 celebration of its hundredth anniversary of publishing an English-language daily newspaper in Paris. More importantly, the ''Flame'' was a token of thanks for the Conservation-restoration of the Statue of Liberty, restoration work on the Statue of Liberty accomplished three years earlier by two French businesses that did artisanal work on the project, namely Métalliers Champenois, which did the bronze work, and the Gohard Studios, which applied the gold leaf. While the gift to France was prompted by the centennial of the newspaper, the ''Flame of Liberty'', more broadly, is a lasting symbol of the friendship uniting the two countries, just as the statue itself was when it was given to the United States by France. This project was overseen by the director of the French craft unions at that time, Jacques Graindorge. He foresaw an installation of the ''Flame of Liberty'' in a public square called Place des États-Unis (United States Square) in the 16th arrondissement, but the mayor of Paris at the time, Jacques Chirac, was opposed to it. After a protracted period of negotiations, it was decided that the ''Flame'' would be placed in an open area near the intersection of l'Avenue de New-York (New York Avenue) and the Place de l'Alma. The monument was dedicated on 10 May 1989 by Chirac. On the base of the monument, a commemorative plaque recounts the following story:"The ''Flame of Liberty''. An exact replica of the Statue of Liberty's flame offered to the people of France by donors throughout the world as a symbol of the Franco-American friendship. On the occasion of the centennial of the ''International Herald Tribune''. Paris 1887–1987."The ''Flame of Liberty'' became an unofficial memorial for Diana, Princess of Wales, after Death of Diana, Princess of Wales, her 1997 death in the tunnel beneath the Pont de l'Alma. The flame became an attraction for tourists and followers of Diana, who Flyposting, fly-posted the base with commemorative material. Anthropologist Guy Lesoeurs said, "Most people who come here think this was built for her." Since 2019, the site has been officially named Place Diana. The site of the monument is served by the Métro de Paris station Alma – Marceau (Paris Métro), Alma-Marceau on Line No. 9 and by the RER commuter rail station, Pont de l'Alma, on its 'C' Line, as well as by buses numbered 42, 63, 72, 80, 92, and the Balabus sightseeing buses.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flame Of Liberty Monuments and memorials in Paris Statue of Liberty Liberty symbols Buildings and structures in the 8th arrondissement of Paris