The statue of Liberty in Colmar.

Many visitors to Alsace in France has probably wondered why there is a statue of Liberty in Colmar. But there is a very good reason for that.

It’s situated in the middle of a busy roundabout. And it’s quite hard to get there by foot legally. But the statue of liberty in Colmar is there. Right outside the tiny Colmar Airport, about 3 kilometers from the town center.

Auguste Bartholdi was from Colmar.

Bartholdi was from Colmar.

The reason why there is a statue of Liberty in Colmar, is that the creator of the statue in New York came from Colmar. His name was Auguste Bartholdi.

Auguste Bartholdi was born in Colmar in 1834. He became an artist from an early age and traveled to Yemen and Egypt for inspiration. Seeing the giant ancient sculptures in Egypt, he got the idea to create a massive sculpture himself.

The state of liberty was intended to be a lighthouse in Egypt.

His first idea was to create a giant lighthouse, at the end of the River Nile. It should celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. He wanted it to be shaped like a woman in robes, holding a torch. But his proposal was declined due to the high costs of such a giant lighthouse.

Auguste Bartholdi went to America.

After having fought in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, Auguste Bartholdi traveled to America. He became fascinated by the US and how it gave opportunity to everyone. Including poor emigrants who fled Europe because of poverty and war at during that period. He met up with fellow Frenchman Édouard René de Laboulaye, who had already talked about creating a monument dedicated to freedom. the monument should given as a gift from France to USA.

After some years of fundraising, Auguste Bartholdi finally got to create his giant statue, which has since been greeting people arriving to New York from the sea.

Today there is a replica of the statue of Liberty in Colmar.

To honor Auguste Bartholdi, there has been build a 12 meter high replica of the statue of Liberty in Colmar. Quite oddly it has been placed in a roundabout. Right in the middle of a freeway. That also makes it hard to visit by foot. I walked to the statue of Liberty in Colmar myself. But I had to walk on some busy streets to get there. And had a grumpy police officer seen me, then I would most likely had been fined for walking on the freeway. So I would suggest that you go there by car, if you want to visit the statue of Liberty in Colmar.

The statue of Liberty in Colmar is standing in a roundabout.

Colmar is a beautiful town.

The old town center of Colmar.

And while you are there, do not forget to visit the center of Colmar. Colmar is a very picturesque old town. The old town center of Colmar is very pretty and a real joy to walk around. Auguste Bartholdi’s former home has been turned in to a museum by the way. And you have some of the best white wine in the world in this part of France. So do not hesitate to visit this unique part of the world, even if the statue of Liberty is not your biggest interest.

I went to the statue by foot.