A gift from the U.S. to France to commemorate the 1986 centennial of the Statue of Liberty and to celebrate friendship between the two countries, La Flame de la Liberte is an exact replica of the torch atop the Statue of Liberty. The gold-leafed torch is mounted on a black pentagram (five-pointed star) at the intersection of place de l’Alma and avenue de New York. While another Flame of Liberty statue was inaugurated in 2008 at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, the first continues to be one of the most visited monuments in Paris particularly since the 1997 death of Princess Diana, which occurred in the tunnel directly underneath. It has become a pilgrimage for those who want to see where Princess Di was killed and admirers leave flowers, notes, and pictures in remembrance. It was expected that the place de l’Alma was to be renamed place Maria Callas but this was abandoned after Diana’s death. It was also envisioned to take up the name of Diana, but this was also abandoned after opposition from England. Princess Di’s death was allegedly the result of a high-speed chase with overzealous paparazzi. Her companion Dodi Fayed was also killed in the crash. While her death was determined to be accidental, conspiracy theorists have linked the torch, which they believe to be a hidden symbol of the intentions of the Illuminati to the world and Diana’s death, which they believed to be organized by the Illuminati. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminati provides information on this secret organization purported to exist today. Some even say that the torch was placed on purpose as an indicator of the planned assassination of Princess Diana. See http://vigilantcitizen.com/?p=503. Whatever you believe, Elton John’s tribute to Diana, “A Candle in the Wind” is quite literally that. La Flame de la Liberte, entranceway to Pont de l’Alma Tunnel. [8th.]
Metro: Alma Marceau
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