VN131 Talk: The American Revolution in Paris - Part 3 of 7

  • 13 Nov 2023
  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • 120 rue de la Boétie (Rez de chaussée) 75008 Paris
  • 5

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Join WICE in a fascinating tour de force of the places in Paris that are intimately associated with the American Revolution.

Through a combination of four PowerPoint presentations and three walks—based on the book "Paris:  Birthplace of the U.S.A."—WICE members will gain an in-depth understanding of the critical role France played in the success of the American Revolution.

During this session, our talk and presentation will explore and showcase the important French military assistance during the 8 years of the American Revolution provided by Admiral de Grasse and others, the neighborhoods where Benjamin Franklin and John Adams lived while negotiating French support, and where the treaty was signed that ended the War of Independence. We will discuss:

  • Eglise Saint-Roch, rue Saint-Honoré, where Admiral de Grasse is entombed.  We see the large plaque in the back of the church and discuss the important contribution of this great French admiral to the success of the American Revolution.  
  • Square Yorktown, Place du Trocadéro, a small square with a fine statue of Benjamin Franklin and a plaque that lists the French officers who died at the Battle of Yorktown.  We’ll discuss this significant battle and its main players.
  • Place des Etats-Unis, a lovely tree-lined square and garden that is full of mementos of the Franco-American alliance in the War of Independence.  Monuments, streets, statues, markers – we’ll see all the ways this square honors the American Revolution.
  • Hôtel d’York, rue Jacob, the building where the Treaty of Paris was signed that ended the war and the independence of the colonies was recognized by England.
  • Hôtel de Valentinois, corner of rue Raynouard and rue Singer, where Benjamin Franklin lived during his 8 years negotiating support from the Court of Versailles for the American War of Independence.
  • Hôtel Antier, rue d’Auteuil, the building where John Adams and his family lived.  This allows discussion of Adams’s part in the American Revolution.

About the Series

This series is open to WICE members, and registration is required. The cost is €10 apiece for individual talks / walks, or €50 for the entire series of seven talks / walks.

About the Organizer

Maryjo Padgett is an avid student of the "American Revolution in Paris" and since 2013 has led this talk / walk combination for the U.S. Embassy and the American Library in Paris. She is donating all proceeds from this series to WICE.

Good to know: 

  • WICE members can register for this event online using WICE's fast and secure online system. Simply click on the link and follow directions.

  • Not a member? You may be able to join some events as a nonmember for a small fee which includes a 3-month membership. Please send an email to wice@wice-paris.org if you have questions. We look forward to talking with you.