Most Americans know exactly one Statue of Liberty: the one standing in New York Harbor, a gift from France for the 100th anniversary of American independence in 1876. What most don’t know is that Paris kept several versions of Lady Liberty for itself, and one of them faces west, across the Atlantic, toward New York.<\/p>\n
Designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel, the original statue was not inaugurated until October 28, 1886, ten years later than planned. In the meantime, Bartholdi made smaller versions and studies, several of which stayed in Paris. Today, six of them are scattered across the city, and most visitors, and most Parisians, walk right past them.<\/p>\n