The Flame of Liberty is a full-size golden copper replica of the Statue of Liberty’s torch, standing about 3.5 m high on a grey-black marble pedestal. Positioned above the west entrance of the Alma Tunnel (now Diana Square) in Paris’s 8th arrondissement.
Presented in 1987 by the International Herald Tribune with donations totaling around $400,000, the flame commemorates both the 1986 restoration of the New York statue by French craftsmen and the Franco-American ia. Inaugurated on 10 May 1989 by Mayor Jacques Chirac, it occupies a significant junction at Avenue de New York and the Alma Bridge.

The inscription reads: “An exact replica of the Statue of Liberty’s flame offered to the people of France by donors throughout the world … Centennial of the International Herald Tribune.” 

Following Princess Diana’s fatal accident in the Alma Tunnel in August 1997, this flame spontaneously became an unofficial memorial: visitors left flowers, notes, photos, and candles. Anthropologists describe this as a “social palimpsest.” The city maintains a respectful atmosphere, cleaning graffiti and preserving tokens.

In June 2019, Paris officially named the area Diana Square, cementing the flame’s linkage to the Princess.

What to do here:

Pay respects or leave a tribute to Diana

Photograph the golden flame with the Seine and Eiffel Tower backdrop

Stroll along the River Seine or head to the Champs‑Élysées

Reachable by bus (42, 63, 72, 80, 92), Métro line 9 (Alma‑Marceau/Iéna), RER C (Pont de l’Alma).

Atmosphere & visitors:
A serene, contemplative site embracing international tourists, locals, and Diana’s admirers. Daytime light enhances the golden sheen, while night lighting adds solemn elegance.

Practical info:

24/7 open, free entry

Wheelchair accessible via curbside pathways

Nearby cafes offer restrooms

No dedicated security; normal caution advised after dark

Fun facts:

Many erroneously believe the flame was built as a Diana memorial — a misconception still common.

Elton John’s rendition of “Candle in the Wind” in Diana’s tribute reinforced the flame metaphor.

The sponsoring paper, International Herald Tribune, is today’s New York Times International .