6 places to see France in New York
In New York, you'll find several charming pockets of France scattered throughout the city. The blue-white-red flag flies proudly across the United States too!
France and New York share a deep connection, so I decided to explore the French landmarks scattered throughout the city. France has a surprisingly strong presence here. Here are six places where you’ll spot the French flag:
1/ Statue of Liberty
- New York’s most iconic symbol—and that of the United States itself—is actually French. Inaugurated in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French people to the American people, marking the centennial of American independence.
- The statue was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, an Alsatian sculptor, with help from Gustave Eiffel on the internal structure. The creator of the Eiffel Tower left his mark on New York too. Learn the full story on the Statue of Liberty page.
2/ French Consulate General in New York
- France maintains a consulate in New York. It’s located on Fifth Avenue, facing Central Park, between 74th and 75th Streets. Don’t confuse a consulate with an embassy: France’s embassy to the United States is in Washington, the nation’s capital.
- If you lose your passport or face a serious problem during your stay, the French Consulate in New York is there to help.
3/ Little Paris
- Little Paris is the nickname for a small stretch of Centre Street in the SoHo neighborhood. It’s too small to be called a French quarter, but the initiative’s creators wanted to spotlight the French community in New York.
- Stop by the language school there—you might meet the two young women who started Little Paris.
4/ French Restaurants
- France means gastronomy. New York has several French restaurants, though prices are steep—don’t expect to pay what you would in France. Many are run by Michelin-starred chefs like Alain Ducasse and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, where bills rival the height of the skyscrapers.
- For something more affordable, try Dominique Ansel’s pastry shop, home of the inventive Cronut—a hybrid of croissant and donut.
5/ French Shopping
- On Fifth Avenue, you’ll quickly spot major French luxury brands. Louis Vuitton has a strong presence, with stores on Fifth Avenue and in SoHo. You’ll also find Cartier, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hermès, and Jean-Paul Gaultier.
- Prices aren’t cheap, but it’s fun to encounter these French names abroad.
6/ Korean War Memorial
- Here’s a lesser-known site that honors France. The Korean War memorial, commemorating the 1950–1953 conflict, stands in Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan.
- The monument displays mosaics of flags from all nations that participated in the war, including France, with a plaque listing the casualties. It’s often forgotten, but 288 French soldiers died in the Korean War, 818 were wounded, and 18 went missing. History surfaces again.
More About France in New York
- Read our article on the French in New York to learn more about the French expatriate community in the city.