Not far from the Alexander the 3rd bridge I found this statue of Lafayette, the famous marquis who helped the Americans fight the Brits during the American revolutionary war. Reading through his biography I found out that he also played a large role during the French revolution and that, although he was a member of the aristocracy he was very much republican - and even made a Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens! Did I mention his real name was Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier and that the name Lafayette comes from an estate in Aix that belonged to the Motier family.
FIRST?
ReplyDeleteSECOND?
don't say it.....THIRD?
suzy...you beat me to the punch. i lost time signing in to blogger...yikes looks like its a beautiful day...believe it or not its cloudy here in los angeles
ReplyDeleteLOL !!! Well done Suzy. 1st!! Great colours in this, Eric. Where were you? We girls have been in agony LOL
ReplyDeleteLafayette, we are FIRST! The Monty Python thing only lasted half a minute so I came right back to Paris.
ReplyDeleteI drove through Lafayette, California just this morning. Lovely place to live if you have the bucks. This is a gorgeous statue, Eric. The bio you linked shows another photo of this statue (yours is so much better) and states that American schoolchildren helped to erect it. Interesting.
And, yeah, Eric, what the heck kept you from us?
er.. where's Monica gone?
ReplyDeleteMarie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier?? And I find that my name is too long?? In fact I'm lucky lol.
ReplyDeleteEric I like the way you link your picture to an information of general knowledge.
Pfff fourth, out of race. I was making some chocolate muffins (yes, it's 1 a.m. so what?)and missed the post!
sixth?? La honte, it took me so long to write ten lines!!
ReplyDeleteCan we have some, Guille? They sound delicious at 1 am.
ReplyDeleteI would have given you some with pleasure, the problem is that by mail from Paris to London, they will be stale and what's more, I made them for tomorrow evening (I'm not sure I could wait until there!). So, let me be stingy with my cakes! LOL.
ReplyDeleteBut you're right, they are deeeelicious!
ReplyDeletelol enjoy! Night night, Eric, Mr. Elusive.
ReplyDeleteI'm too late today.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Suzy! The prize could be one of Guille's delicious muffin since we're getting zero rewards from Eric.
(we still love you just the same dear Eric)
Lynn I know you're sleeping now, just wanna say I loved the link to Amy Winehouse video. She's completely nuts but I love her voice.
ReplyDeletenever heard of Lafayette Estate in Aix... For sure, the name is better than Galeries Motier aka the parisian shopping heaven!...
ReplyDeleteYep,(that is cowboy talk out here in PHX land) I was lurking around like JAWS on PDP(what, you have esp, too Lynn?) but since I had to do those pesky US taxes, I had to get out of my house after a while.
ReplyDeleteI loved Jeff's clever poem and he certainly is giving Michael a run for his money in that dept.Since I am shallow,and was mentioned in the poem, my heart belongs to Jeff at the moment.
Now I leave the profane to comment on the sacred. I was told there are certain names in France that can identify a person as aristocratic --can't remember what the names were, maybe Beatrice? Maybe Gille will be kind enough to let us know. I also want to know if Layfayette's 7 name moniker identified him as an aristo, too and is it that same way now in FR.
Wow, quelle mouthful. Can you imagine marrying the guy??? No monograms for him, I guess! I know I have seen this statue in person, but can't remember exactly where it is.
ReplyDeleteEric, you always charm me with your photos and educate me with your links.
ReplyDeleteThere are few more thrilling (or horrifying) stories than that of the French Revolution. I couldn't put down Deborah Cadbury's "The Lost King of France." She's British, but it's so good I hope it's been translated into French and other languages. She covers that period in Lafayette's life. He was an important figure in France as well as in America.
Ah...this is my favourite type of blogs. I love history and really enjoy reading about historical events.
ReplyDeletePetrea, you are right. Eric does educated all of us. Ok, ok and he charms all of us too
Glad you enjoyed it Monica (yesterday's Paris Scam comments box). She is in trouble, that's for sure but i adore her music and thought it would entertain us while we waited for Errant Eric.
ReplyDeletePhx ha! Another trick up my sleeve yes.
Took me ages to get here today, ERic. The message at the bottom said it was something to do with Facebook which was preventing it loading? with love from Lynn-Cheryl-Amy-Ros-Charlotte-Sophie-Suzanna-du Cheltenham x
By the way, if any of you fancy a coffee break, i've written some new coffee-break fiction at my Things UK blog. Then, afterwards, please come back to Eric. I must say that, as i've advertised shamelessly here now. he he. Is that ok, Eric? (sweet smile...) Here's the link
ReplyDeleteSash Windows by Lynn
Of course Lafayette Square in Washington is one of the most famous places named in his honor, but as a young student growing up in Boston he was highly revered and there was always a question on the history exams about him..."Who was the French Aristocrat that came to the aid of the Thirteen Colonies at the time of the Revolution"???...and the answer is...the Marquis de______________.
ReplyDeleteSade! It's Sade! Do i get a gold star? Do i? LOL
ReplyDeleteMy heart skipped a beat, once again... when I saw the title... but I am sure I am the only one who can know why... Who knows ?...
ReplyDeleteLynn, you are so funny! That is a real pleasure to read all your comments each time!
Ha ha Lynn! You get a God star instead.
ReplyDeleteI just adore M. Motier's full name, Eric. What an amazing man he was.
Beautiful picture as usual, Eric. We're still drowning under snow and ice here in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteWhat a mouthful of a name, but quite the history behind it. I love the way you put a little bio/blurb with each photos. I learn so much about my favorite city, Paris. I will be back again in September and can't wait.
he he Mme thank you I'm wearing my God star now and Anonyme too, thanks I love that you think i'm funny. I keep telling my 16 year old son that i am. He just rolls his eyes.
ReplyDeleteWow! Never knew Lafayette had all of those names. We have a Lafayette Park in San Francisco. It's in Pacific Heights. It has views of San Francisco Bay and is across the street from novelist Danielle Steele's mansion.
ReplyDeleteWhat is with those really long names? I feel like I am failing my children by giving them only a first, middle and last name. I'm going to have to step things up a bit.
ReplyDelete"with love from Lynn-Cheryl-Amy-Ros-Charlotte-Sophie-Suzanna-du Cheltenham x" ROTF!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm a bit missing at the moment but I have a new assignment at my work and I currently barely have time to take my daily pic...
But I still enjoy your crazy comments!!
barely have time......SAY IT ISN"T SO!
ReplyDeleteWhat?
ReplyDeleteThat is favouritism!
What about the comments of ALL of us?
Good, Eric it's lovely to see you anyway. It seems i'm the only fan here at this hour. Well, Phx is here too but the regular girly contest is missing! You and me then tonight, Phx? Eric looks well doesn't he.
ReplyDeleteHe MEANT all of us, Anonyme. Your plural. Are you stretching ready for the 'first' race then too?
ReplyDeleteVery funny Lynn!! Marquis de Suede!! LOL!! Errr..Sade.
ReplyDeleteanonyme...Don't you mean the "Spreckels Mansion" is across from Lafayette Park in San Francisco?? Danielle Steele is just the vulgar nouveau arriviste "romance novel" writer that bought the house...Beurrkkk!!!
;)
ReplyDeleteTonton - You're right. I don't read her books but sometimes visitors want to know where she lives. Fortunately, they stopped her from turning the sweeping lawn into condos.
ReplyDeleteLafayette is beloved in our country and he was one of George Washington's most revered friends. After the fall of the Bastille, Lafayette presented the actual key to the prison to Gen. Washington as a symbol of victory and freedom over tyranny. The key is on display in the entry hall of Washington's estate--Mount Vernon--which lie 14 miles south of Washington, D.C.
ReplyDeleteThe park across from the White House is also named after the marquis and his influence is in evidence in many places around the city.