US State Department Funds Restoration of Lafayette's Birthplace in France

For the first time, the US has allocated funds from its Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) to a heritage site in France, granting $235,000 (€202,000) to Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette in Haute-Loire, the birthplace of the Marquis de Lafayette. This announcement occurred on September 6 during a celebration of Lafayette's 269th birthday, organized by the US diplomatic mission alongside the Department of Haute-Loire. The grant will aid in restoring sections of the gardens and preserving collections that highlight Lafayette's contributions to the American Revolutionary War. In tribute to Lafayette and George Washington, two rose bushes were planted. The Château, established in the 14th century, was acquired by the FHLMF in 1917 and overseen by the Memorial Lafayette association until 2009. An exhibition, 'Lafayette, l'aventure américaine (1776-1781),' is available for viewing until November.