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Musée d'Orsay Plans Major Auguste Bartholdi Exhibition for Statue of Liberty's 140th Anniversary

exhibition · 2026-08-19

An exhibition dedicated to Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi will take place at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris from September 15, 2026, to January 31, 2027. This event commemorates both the 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's unveiling and the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. The display chronicles Bartholdi's path from Colmar to New York, including his initial idea for the statue as a lighthouse for the Suez Canal, which was turned down in 1869. It also emphasizes Joseph Pulitzer's contribution to funding the pedestal and the statue's journey across the Atlantic on the Isère in 1885. A 700-square-meter virtual reality section for visitors aged 13 and older will be included, with ticket prices set at 16 euros (13 euros reduced) and free entry for those under 26. The museum operates Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours until 9:45 p.m. on Thursdays. Located at Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, it is accessible via the Solférino metro line 12.

Key facts

  • Exhibition runs September 15, 2026, to January 31, 2027, at the Musée d'Orsay, Paris.
  • Commemorates the 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's inauguration and the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.
  • Auguste Bartholdi originally proposed a lighthouse for the Suez Canal in 1869, rejected by the Khedive of Egypt.
  • Bartholdi was inspired by Eastern colossi seen on his 1856 voyage and came from Colmar.
  • About three hundred copper plates were hand-hammered on the Rue de Chazelles in Paris.
  • Joseph Pulitzer financed the pedestal via public subscription in his newspaper, The World.
  • The statue crossed the Atlantic in 1885 aboard the ship Isère, now sunken.
  • The exhibition features a 700-square-meter virtual reality experience recommended from age 13.
  • The Musée des Arts et Métiers is concurrently presenting the technical fabrication.

Entities

Artists

  • Auguste Bartholdi
  • Auguste Rodin
  • Joseph Pulitzer

Institutions

  • Musée d'Orsay
  • Musée des Arts et Métiers
  • The World

Locations

  • Colmar
  • France
  • New York
  • United States
  • Paris
  • Rue de Chazelles
  • Suez Canal
  • Egypt
  • Belfort
  • Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
  • Solférino

Sources