The Eternal Flame.

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

Cimetiere du Montparnesse.

Located in the shadow of Tour Montparnasse, Cimetiere du Montparnasse offers a tranquil escape in the heart of the busy 14th arondissement. Opened in 1824, this cemetery is home to thousands of luminaries, many of the literary ilk. I arrived late on a Friday afternoon and didn’t realize that many of the grave sites were marked or that a map was available until the bell rang for closing at 6. I stumbled upon the tombstone of the famous French poet, Charles Baudelaire, and was struck by the lovely assemblage atop his tomb. A potpourri of roses, flower pots, and handwritten notes held in place by rocks was sweet yet melancholy. Apparently Baudelare, who died in Paris at the age of 46, was plagued through his life by despair and financial difficulties. At first, I hesitated to open the notes, but then decided that a quick read was permissible. The first, written today: “Quand j’ai trouve votre livre ‘Fleur du Mal’ sur le pont St. Louis, J’ai senti le distin. Vous n’etes pas mort. Vous vivez dans mon Coeur. Je t’aime. Loosely translated: “When I discovered your book ‘The Flowers of Evil’ on the bridge St Louis, I felt my destiny. You are not dead. You live in my heart. I love you.” Another, written yesterday: “Je vous etre ecrivain plus tard comme vous! Vous avez laissez beaucoup de beaux poemes!!! Avez le grace de Dieu soit avec vous!! De tout mon coeur!” Loosely translated: “I will be a writer later like you! You have left many beautiful poems!!! May the grace of God be with you!! With all my heart!” There is a real appreciation and warmth in these little notes held in place by rocks atop the famous poet’s tombstone. Reading about Baudelare, I discovered that he had a real affinity for Edgar Allen Poe with whom he found a kindred spirit whose concept of beauty was closely connected with melancholy, happiness and regret. This little assemblage atop his tombstone, sweet yet melancholy and hardly any regret.

Cimetiere du Montparnesse, Boulevard Edgar Quinet. [14e.]
Metro: Edgar Quinet.