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The American Revolution in France: Key Sites to Visit in Paris

Last Updated on September 15, 2023

Especially since I became a dual Franco-American citizen, I’ve been fascinated by the “dialogic” nature of the American and French Revolutions. By that, I mean the way in which the two revolutions played out in intense dialogue with one another– even as the two Republics that eventually formed from them ended up looking very different, both ideologically and structurally.

And while the American Revolution began nearly 15 years before its 1789 counterpart in France , most historians agree that they mutually influenced and informed one anot her.

Traces of the American Revolution abound in France, not least because many of its authors spent years there, especially in Paris, debating democratic and revolutionary principles with fellow philosophers, statespeople, and even with King Louis XVI (who, ironically, would perish at the guillotine following France’s own first revolution of 1789). .

Parisian cafes, salons, private mansions, and royal palaces were sites for vibrant discussions around “natural rights” for citizens, the principle of separating church and state, and other ideas that would form the foundations of both revolutions’ bold declaration of unprecedented rights for a greater tranche of the population.

( It’s important to remember/note that neither initially declared rights for all citizens — women, people of color, and others were blatantly left out; the fact that certain authors of the American Revolution, including Thomas Jefferson, enslaved African-Americans, should also not be forgotten or glossed over).

One of the American Revolution’s most important moments took place in Paris. And numerous monuments stands around the capital to commemorate key figures in the American Revolution, from Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Paine.

Keep reading for details on key places in the capital that bear the traces of these fascinating exchanges and historical moments.

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Café Procope: Revolutionary Ideas Fueled by Coffee & Conversation

Claiming to be the world’s oldest café, the Procope — founded in 1686– is an important stop on a self-guided tour of sites related to American revolutionary history in Paris.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the cafe on Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie became a cauldron of philosophical and revolutionary ideas. Alongside French philosophers such as Voltaire (who was reputed to imbibe upwards of 40 cups of coffee a day to fuel his raucous debates), Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and the encyclopedist Denis Diderot, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson regularly dined at the cafe and restaurant during the late 18th century.

While historical records on their activities at the Procope are scant, two key plaques at the cafe– which was refurbished to resemble its 18th-century guise only in the late 1980s– attest to their mythical presence there.

One (shown above), states that it was within the walls of the restaurant that Benjamin Franklin’s “prepared a project of alliance” between French King Louis XVI and the “new Republic” of the United States: one that was still mired in a revolutionary war with England. This presumably references Franklin’s 1778 visit to Versailles (see more below).

Another plaque notes the historic presence of Thomas Jefferson, who in the post-revolutionary period served as United States Ambassador to France and was a frequent patron at the Procope.

While the original cafe and restaurant closed for decades and operated under many different names– making the Procope’s claim to be the city’s oldest café in Paris a bit of a spurious one– it’s still amusing to have coffee or lunch here and imagine the dining room filled with be-wigged, overcaffeinated revolutionaries and philosophers, including Franklin and Jefferson.

Getting There: 13, rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement); Metro Odéon

The Palais de Versailles: Franklin Scores an Alliance With France

It seems deeply ironic. A revolutionary gaining favor– and a historic political alliance– with a royal court that only 11 years later would be the prime target of a (bloody) revolution itself. Yet the Palace of Versailles, built by absolutist monarch Louis XIV, is one of the most important sites in the history of the American project for independence.

{France’s Bastille Day Once Celebrated Constitutional Monarchy, and Other Weird Facts}

Benjamin Franklin famously gained the favor of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette at the court in March 1778, when he came to ask for their support in the American bid to cut ties with England. The US signed its Declaration of Independence in 1776, but England still viewed it as a colony in revolt. The revolutionary war that had erupted in 1775 raged on.

France, seeing a strategic advantage against England in allying with the self-declared, nascent Republic, agreed to receive Franklin, Silas Deane– delegate to the 1775 Continental Congress that had formed following the Battles of Lexington and Concord– and diplomat Arthur Lee at the royal court.

The idea was to get the King to sign a Treaty of Alliance and Treaty of Amity and Commerce . Their bid was a success, and Louis XVI signed both on February 6th, 1778.

As a respected statesman, intellectual, scientist, and noted inventor, Franklin was reportedly beloved by the French– much to the annoyance of the British government and even to “frenemy” John Adams, some have claimed.

He became Ambassador and sole representative of the US in France thereafter, until he was replaced by Thomas Jefferson in 1785. He sat for his portrait at Versailles in 1778; the painting by now hangs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Getting There: See more in my full guide to easy day trips from Paris by train

The Former Hotel d’York: Site of the Signing of the Treaty of Paris

Although the Hotel d’York is defunct, a plaque where it once stood commemorates the signing of the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the American Revolutionary War– from French soil.

On September 3rd of that year, a representative of Britain’s King George III met with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay at the former hotel in Paris to formally ratify American independence from England, and end the eight-year conflict.

A plaque at 56, rue Jacob reads:

“In this building, formerly the Hotel d’York/on 3 September 1783/David Hartley, [representing] the King of England, [and] Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, [representing] the United States of America/signed a definitive peace treaty recognizing the independence of the United States.”

This little-noticed site can be easily visited during a longer exploration of the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés area. It’s nearby the aforementioned Café Procope, so I recommend visiting both in the same morning or afternoon.

Getting There: 56, rue Jacob, 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement); Metro: Saint-Germain-du-Prés or Rue du Bac

Benjamin Franklin Statue

While this bronze statue on the aptly named Rue Benjamin Franklin dates to the nineteenth century, it firmly reminds us of how strong a legacy Franklin left in France, and how much of a beloved figure the first US Ambassador continued to be in the decades following his years in the capital.

Unassumingly perched on a green patch of the bustling, enormous Place du Trocadero, the statue from sculptor John J Boyle is in fact a replica of a bronze that stands in Philadelphia, on campus at the University of Pennsylvania.

The replica was donated to the city of Paris in 1906, marking the bicentennial of Franklin’s birthday in 1706.

The pedestal is just as interesting as the striking likeness of Franklin. On it, you can see two bas-reliefs created by the French sculptor Frédéric Brou, depicting the two major events in the American Revolution that involved the statesman (and described above): his 1778 meeting with Louis XVI, and the 1783 signing of the Treaty of Paris.

A plaque affixed to the statue’s base reads «Ce génie qui affranchit l’Amérique et versa sur l’Europe des torrents de lumière ! Le sage que deux mondes réclament… » (This genius who stamped America, and poured onto Europe, torrents of light! The sage that two worlds claim {as their own}…)

Getting There: 38 Rue Benjamin Franklin, 75116 Paris; Metro: Trocadero

Monument to Thomas Paine at Parc Montsouris

This one is a bit remote both geographically and topically, but worth a visit for those interested in the life and thought of Anglo-American revolutionary Thomas Paine.

Paine, born in the English county of Norfolk, became an influential thinker in the American Revolutionary war after moving to the British American colonies in 1774, on the urging of his friend Benjamin Franklin.

He authored two texts considered crucial in spurring revolutionary elan in the colonies, Common Sense and The American Crisis , and following the success of the American Revolution he became a key player in the French Revolution.

His 1791 text Rights of Man was a rigorous defense of revolutionary action, and a biting response to Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France . Paine also helped to author the 1791 French Constitution.

In 1792, after the British state issued a warrant for his arrest due to the radicalism of his writings (they notably advocated for the overthrow of tyrannical governments), Paine sought exile in France.

He was quickly embraced by the Girondin faction in the French Revolution which was underway at the time, and elected to the National Convention.

But this earned him the mistrust of the Montagnards, led by the ruthless Robespierre. He was arrested and imprisoned at the Luxembourg Prison in Paris in 1793 , where he reportedly continued to work on his most ambitious (and controversial) work, The Age of Reason.

The next year, he was released, after then-diplomat and future US President James Monroe advocated for him among connections in France.

The gold-plated bronze statue depicting Paine with a raised, animated arm and carrying a pamphlet in the other was created in 1939 and inaugurated in 1948. It’s the work of American sculptor Gutzon Borglum, most famous for conceiving Mount Rushmore in the US.

The statue was initially meant to be inaugurated in 1940 at the Parc Montsouris, across from the United States Foundation of the Cité International. But the Occupation of Paris by Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II delayed the inauguration.

The statue, celebrating a figure whose radical democratic principles would have been viewed as highly subversive by the Nazis, remained hidden at Alexis Rudier’s bronze foundry in Paris.

It would finally be inaugurated in January 1948, marking the 211th anniversary of Paine’s birth.

Getting There: Parc Montsouris (southeastern corner of the park), 75014 Paris (14th arrondissement); Metro: Maison-Blanche; Tramway stop: Cité Univeritaire

More Features on Noteworthy Americans in Paris

• These 5 Places in Paris Aren’t Typically Associated With African-American History. They Should Be.
• 8 American Women Who Moved to Paris– & Changed History
• On the Traces of Josephine Baker in Paris: Performer, Civil Rights Activist, Resistance Fighter

Courtney Traub is the Founder and Editor of Paris Unlocked. She’s a longtime Paris resident who now divides her time (as well as she can manage) between the French capital and Norwich, UK. Co-author of the 2012 Michelin Green Guide to Northern France & the Paris Region, she has been interviewed as an expert on Paris and France by the BBC, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Le Figaro, Matador Network and other publications. Courtney has also written and reported stories for media outlets including Radio France Internationale, The Christian Science Monitor, Women’s Wear Daily and The Associated Press. In addition to going down various rabbit holes of curiosity when it comes to French culture, history, food and art, Courtney is a scholar of literature and cultural history whose essays and reviews have appeared in various forums.

4 thoughts on “ The American Revolution in France: Key Sites to Visit in Paris ”

I love this! The long history of Franco-American relations has left a lot of marks on the city. I didn’t know about most of these, but I did find a few others, including numerous replicas of the Statue of Liberty: https://fabricofparis.com/2020/11/03/us-in-paris.html

Treaty of Paris plaque missing from rue Jacob wall. Walked to see it Sept 2019 and sadly no longer there

Was this the plaque placed there by John Jay Ide, descendant of John Jay?

My family and I are hoping to visit the tomb of the Marquis de Lafayette in Picpus Cemetery. “America’s favorite fighting Frenchman…”

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The Parisian Life of Benjamin Franklin: An American Revolution Story

Paris has a rich history filled with fascinating stories, one of which includes Benjamin Franklin’s time in Paris. The popular TV show “Franklin” has brought renewed interest in this Founding Father, highlighting his adventures and contributions during his stay in the French capital. Let’s dive into the reasons why Benjamin Franklin lived in Paris and explore the historical sites that made his stay so significant!

Franklin’s Diplomatic Mission

In 1776, Benjamin Franklin arrived in Paris on a crucial mission: to secure French support for the American Revolution. France’s aid was essential for the colonies to gain independence from Britain. Franklin’s charm, wit and intelligence quickly made him a beloved figure in Parisian society. He lived at the Hôtel de Valentinois in Passy, a suburban area of Paris. This mansion became the hub of diplomatic activity, where Franklin worked tirelessly to gain French support.

The Charm of Parisian Society

Franklin’s charisma made him a favorite among the French aristocracy. He attended many salons and social gatherings, where his fascinating conversations and scientific experiments won him many friends. The TV show “Franklin” portrays these moments beautifully, showing how Benjamin Franklin in Paris used his personality and intellect to influence key figures like the Comte de Vergennes, the French Foreign Minister. Visiting the salons of Paris today gives you a glimpse into the lively discussions and important decisions that shaped history. Discover how you can walk in his footsteps with our private French Revolution tour package, perfect for history lovers.

Contributions to Science and Invention

While in Paris, Franklin didn’t just focus on diplomacy. He continued his scientific work, conducting experiments with electricity and even with balloons, inspired by the Montgolfier brothers. The Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris showcases many scientific artefacts from this era. This museum is a must-visit for those interested in the innovative spirit of the 18th century.

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The Signing of the Treaty of Paris

One of Franklin’s most significant achievements during his time in Paris was the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. This treaty officially ended the American Revolutionary War. The signing took place at the Hôtel d’York, located at 56 Rue Jacob. Today, this site is an important landmark for those interested in diplomatic history. Our private French Revolution Private Tour package includes a visit to this historic site, perfect for history lovers wanting to explore Benjamin Franklin in Paris.

Franklin’s Enduring Legacy

Benjamin Franklin left a lasting impact on Paris. He introduced American foods like cranberries and corn to the French and even influenced fashion with his simple, rustic attire. Exploring Paris with these historical insights adds a new layer of appreciation for this beautiful city. Our private tours offer a deep dive into the lives of historical figures like Franklin, making history come alive, particularly focusing on Benjamin Franklin in Paris.

The “Franklin” TV show

If you can’t wait to get to Paris to hear about Franklin’s time in the city of lights, we highly recommend the TV show “Franklin”. Not only is the whole show shot on location, especially the scenes in Versailles, it offers a rare insight on the popularity of the American Revolution in France, and features major French role-players of the American Revolution, such as Lafayette and Beaumarchais. An excellent introduction for your upcoming trip to Paris!

Benjamin Franklin’s time in Paris was marked by significant diplomatic achievements, scientific discoveries, and cultural exchanges. Join us on our exclusive French Revolution Private Tour to walk in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin and experience the city through the eyes of one of history’s greatest minds!

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Ben Franklin in Paris: How He Won France’s Support for the Revolutionary War

By: Dave Roos

Published: March 20, 2024

The Founding Fathers may have been idealistic about Enlightenment principles like “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” but they were deeply realistic about the chances of a scrappy, underfunded colonial army to defeat the wealthy and powerful British Empire.

To win the Revolution , America needed allies, but more importantly it needed manpower, munitions and a lot of money.

That’s how 70-year-old Benjamin Franklin —famed inventor, publisher and elder statesman of the Continental Congress —found himself sailing to France in October of 1776. Although a monarchy itself, France was America’s best hope for backing the colonists in their bid for freedom from Great Britain, France’s perennial rival.

Franklin spent the next nine years in Paris as America’s first foreign ambassador. Without Franklin’s celebrity status, savvy networking abilities and unapologetic Francophilia, the American Revolution would almost certainly have failed. Instead, Franklin convinced France to nearly bankrupt its own government in order to ensure American independence.

A Celebrity on a Secret Mission

In accepting his mission to France, Franklin put his life on the line. Not only was the Atlantic crossing treacherous for all of the normal reasons—stormy seas, shipboard illnesses, piracy—but Franklin was also sailing as a traitor. By signing the Declaration of Independence just months earlier, Franklin would have been hanged if captured by the British Navy.

Franklin survived the arduous journey—his seventh trans-Atlantic crossing—and arrived in Paris as a bona fide 18th-century celebrity.

“Franklin was the most famous American in the world,” says biographer Stacy Schiff. “He was the discoverer of electricity, a man of genius, a successor to Newton and Galileo. He also counted among the greatest celebrities in Paris; he could not walk through the street without attracting a crowd.”

Franklin’s unmistakeable image—wearing glasses and a fur cap instead of a wig—was embossed on collectible candy dishes, stitched into clothing and engraved into snuff boxes and walking sticks.

While Franklin himself was famous, most French people knew nothing about the American Colonies or their politics. Even foreign ambassadors stationed in France had no idea why the famed scientist had come to Paris. For his health, maybe, or to ensure that his 16-year-old grandson William Temple Franklin received a proper European education? The Portuguese ambassador, Schiff reports , was sure that Franklin’s plan was to retire to a Swiss chateau with his vast wealth.

In reality, Franklin had only one reason for being in Paris—to convince the French to make a very expensive bet on America. But first, he had to let all of the political pieces fall into place. Or more accurately, Franklin had to use all of his unique talents to make sure that they fell into place.

Bluffing His Way to an Alliance

For his first 18 months in Paris, Franklin was in a difficult position. The Continental Army suffered a string of defeats and it wasn’t at all clear that the Americans had a fighting chance. Versailles was quietly supportive of the Revolution, but the French crown couldn’t risk backing the wrong horse and getting ensnared in another losing war with England.

So Franklin did something that his younger American colleagues found incredibly frustrating—he played the waiting game. Now in his 70s, Franklin had little to prove and was in no hurry to prove it. Instead of banging on the door of the French foreign minister, the Count de Vergennes, Franklin attended salons with influential aristocrats and engaged in a very French, very laissez-faire charm offensive.

“Franklin was at all times a master psychologist,” says Schiff. “He read people, and cultures, easily. He quickly mastered the French art of accomplishing much while appearing to accomplish little.”

Franklin was also a confident bluffer. He insisted that Washington commanded an army of 80,000 men, when 14,000 was closer to the truth. Franklin laughed off every British victory, insisting that King George III was playing right into the Americans’ hands. The Patriots had superior firepower, fiercer fighters, and more than anything, an unquenchable thirst for freedom. The British would need an army of 200,000 to beat them.

None of this was true, of course. The Americans were dangerously low on supplies and outgunned in every battle. In private, Franklin was deeply anxious. For a year, Franklin had heard almost nothing from Congress, leaving him to fear the worst.

Then, on December 4, 1777, an American messenger arrived at Franklin’s estate with two pieces of news. First, the bad news: the British had occupied Philadelphia, the American capital, and Washington’s army had retreated to winter camp at Valley Forge . But there was also good news—fantastic news, even! In October, the Americans had dealt a stunning defeat to the British at the Battle of Saratoga , capturing General John Burgoyne and his men. (The hero on the American side was General Benedict Arnold .) 

Franklin didn’t need to bluff anymore. Versailles was so impressed by the decisive victory at Saratoga that France signed treaties of alliance with the Americans on February 6, 1778.

A Very Busy American in Paris

As the lead American ambassador in France, Franklin had his hands full. His main duty was to solicit money, weapons, uniforms, ammunition and other critical supplies from the Count de Vergennes, which itself was a full-time job.

“At one point Franklin received a 38-page shopping list,” says Schiff. “It included a frigate, a ship of the line, and 49,000 uniforms—as well as spoons, trumpets, paint and thimbles. The list left Franklin speechless.” 

On top of that, Franklin’s home in the village of Passy outside of Paris was continuously bombarded with visitors, each seeking an audience with the famous American ambassador.

According to French custom, Franklin always made time for guests—invited or not. Some were French industrialists hoping to sell shoes, blankets and beer to the American army. Others were eager to enlist and fight (if the rumors of free tracts of land in America were true). Inventors wanted Franklin’s opinion on their ideas for novel explosives or “fireproof wood,” and every American in France with a hard-luck story needed Franklin to arrange their free passage home.

To meet all of these demands without offending French social sensibilities, Franklin lived a type of double life. To outside observers, he was the quintessential cultured French gentleman, the type who arrived appropriately late for appointments and greeted unexpected guests with wine and unrushed conversation. But in private, Franklin put in 14-hour days, often waking in the middle of the night to finish piles of paperwork.

Franklin was so good at making hard work look easy that he fooled even his American colleagues into thinking he was more interested in flirting with French widows than laboring for the Revolution. And no one misunderstood and resented Franklin’s tactics more than John Adams .

Adams and Franklin, Founding Frenemies

John Adams arrived in France in 1778 to replace Silas Deane, an American ambassador dismissed for fraud. Adams was a brilliant writer and political philosopher, but his blunt, straight-talking demeanor clashed with French courtly manners. Instead of easing Franklin’s load in Paris, Adams’s very presence became an obstacle.

“The two men got off on the wrong foot and remained there,” says Schiff. “It didn’t help that Adams failed to ingratiate himself at Court and resented Franklin’s tremendous celebrity.”

In letters home, Adams complained bitterly about Franklin—everything from the older statesman’s inferior French to the way the famous inventor was greeted like “an opera girl” everywhere he went.

As foreign ambassadors, Adams and Franklin couldn’t have been more different in style and personality. Adams refused to acknowledge America’s indebtedness to France and approached Versailles with urgent ultimatums for more supplies and military support. In contrast, Franklin was ingratiating and patient—always careful to make requests of America’s benefactors, not demands.

By the end of the war, Adams and Franklin still disliked each other immensely, but they were able to see past their differences long enough to successfully negotiate a peace treaty with Britain that recognized America’s independence. Through it all, Adams’s opinion of Franklin never improved.

“If I was in Congress, and this gentleman and the marble Mercury in the garden at Versailles were in nomination for an embassy, I would not hesitate to give my vote for the statue,” Adams wrote a colleague in 1783, “upon the principle that it would do no harm.”

Franklin's Homecoming

America could not have won the Revolutionary War without France. Schiff estimates the total value of French material and manpower at roughly $20 billion in today’s money. It was enough to bankrupt the government of Louis XVI, one of the aggravating factors that led to the French Revolution.

“When the British surrendered at Yorktown they did so to forces that were nearly equal parts French and American,” says Schiff, “all fed, clothed and paid by France, and protected by a French navy.”

Benjamin Franklin was the reason why France opened its coffers so wide to the unproven Americans. To put it simply, the French liked him and trusted him.

“Nothing could have been more critical to our Revolution than that affection,” says Schiff. “Every other American envoy who approached Versailles bungled along the way. Franklin was inventing the foreign service out of whole cloth. And he was, as we know from so many other realms, a brilliant inventor.”

Franklin was almost 80 when he crossed the Atlantic a final time and returned to a Philadelphia he hardly recognized. America had changed immensely in the nine years he was laboring abroad, and that included a new generation of politicians. Franklin had hoped to receive some compensation for his difficult mission—as others had—but Congress didn’t want to dwell on the debt America owed to France.

“The French mission had been, hands down, the most taxing assignment of Franklin’s life,” says Schiff. “Congress never offered a settling of accounts, a reward, or so much as a single syllable of thanks.”

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Benjamin Franklin House is a five-storey townhouse with a staircase between each floor. The floors and stairs are uneven and sloping. There are handrails on all of the staircases and there is visitor seating in all of the historic rooms. Given the Grade I nature of the building and the different levels of the building, there is no wheelchair access. Restrooms are downstairs in the basement; there is no accessible restroom.

Carers are admitted free of charge and visitors with disabilities qualify for concessionary tickets.

Guide and hearing dogs are permitted in all areas of the House.

For more information about access please contact visitor services at  +44 207 839 2008  or  [email protected] .

Facilities include the Benjamin Franklin House Shop and restrooms located in the basement. There are no baby changing facilities.

Pushchairs can be left at reception as they are not usable through the building and large bags can be stored at reception.

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During the Historical Experience the eighteenth century spaces serve as a stage for a drama that seamlessly blends live interpretation and cutting edge sound, lighting, and visual projection to tell the rich story of Franklin in London.

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The Architectural Tour explores the Georgian features of House, along with its fascinating history encompassing Franklin’s long residence (1757-1775), the Hewson anatomy school, and the comprehensive conservation project that saved it from dereliction.

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