I called Mike before my trip in an effort to find one of these gems that would make my Parisian trip stand out. \u00a0Without hesitation he had a suggestion that fit within his speciality. \u00a0He told me that I was to visit a grave. \u00a0Wow. \u00a0Really? A grave, like a place where somebody’s dead bones lay? \u00a0Umm. \u00a0Try again man. \u00a0How about something cool dude? \u00a0Little did I know that his suggestion would change my entire attitude toward the French people and love America more than ever before.<\/p>\n
Visit a Grave?<\/h2>\n
I’m betting right now that 90%\u00a0of you know who Marquis de Lafayette is.\u00a0You’ve probably seen things named after Lafayette like towns, squares, and statues, but you’re not sure why. \u00a0Did you know there are roughly 20 towns or counties in America named Lafayette?<\/a><\/p>\n So what makes this guy so cool? \u00a0Why is everything named after a guy that we don’t even know? \u00a0I’m not sure, but I am happy to enlighten you about this remarkable man.<\/p>\n Here is a Frenchman that was born with tons of money. \u00a0He was a high class citizen from birth. \u00a0One day he bumped into a recruiter that the USA had sent over to Europe to hire mercenaries that would fight for us. \u00a0In exchange for their knowledge we offered pay.<\/p>\n Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette (Photo credit: Wikipedia)<\/p><\/div>\n Lafayette wasn’t interested in pay, but he was interested in fighting for America. \u00a0He decided to join the cause, so he purchased a boat that could take himself and the other recruits to America. \u00a0Because of his high class status these arrangements were all made in secret. \u00a0On his way out of town he dropped a letter in the mail to his father-in-law explaining his intentions. \u00a0By the time he set sail an urgent message arrived from his father-in-law requesting that he get his butt back in France.<\/p>\n Lafayette considered his options before finally deciding to turn back to reason with his father-in-law. \u00a0While he was enroute to the rezendvous point Lafayette made a final decision to abandon the meeting and return to the boat. \u00a0His pull to help America was too great. \u00a0Can you imagine the rage of your wife’s father? \u00a0The funny thing is that he later rendered the support, money, and influence of his relatives later in the war (including his father-in-law).<\/p>\n He spent the next years of his life as a General in the cause of our independence from England. \u00a0At one point he was nearly killed by a bullet, and hadn’t even fully healed when he returned to the battlefield. \u00a0He and General George Washington became best friends during their shoulder to shoulder service. \u00a0They were such great friends that Lafayette later named his third child George Washington Lafayette.<\/p>\n Because of his connections, he was able to bring great influence of the French, who actually recognized us as a nation prior to England granting us our independence. \u00a0He recruited the help of their Navy, and played a pivotal role in the final battle of Yorktown. \u00a0With the French Navy in the harbor, then being surrounded by Washington, Lafayette, and Rochambeau it forced Charles Cornwallis to surrender.<\/p>\n Without question this man had made a significant contribution to our Independence. \u00a0We arguably could not have prevailed were it not for his involvement in bringing the help of the French to our aid. \u00a0His selfless service allowed us to break away from England to for the United States of America. \u00a0This Frenchman is a hero. \u00a0We should honor his significant contribution toward our freedom.<\/p>\n After the war was over he returned to France, where he spent the majority of his life. \u00a0At a later age he decided to return to America. \u00a0He received a warm welcome wherever he went. \u00a0We hailed him as an American hero for his service. \u00a0He was pleased to see that we had named countless cities after him as well as squares, monuments, and statues. \u00a0He loved America, and we loved him.<\/p>\n One of his final tasks was to return to Bunker Hill, Massachusetts. \u00a0This location played a pivotal role early on in the war when George Washington was able to push the British out of Boston from this battle. \u00a0He took soil from this battleground that he brought home with him to France. \u00a0As his life drew to a close, he had instructed his son George Washington Lafayette to sprinkle the soil from Bunker Hill on his grave after his death.<\/p>\n Visit this grave and stand on American soil. \u00a0Know that he loved America enough to request that he be buried in our soil \u00a0Soil for which he spilled his own blood, and which has given us the blessings of living in America.<\/p>\n This place is VERY unassuming. \u00a0Most of the residents who live in the area have NO idea that there is a cemetery nearby, so directions will be important to you.<\/p>\n The address is 35 Rue de Picpus. \u00a0It is located in the 12th arronidissement. \u00a0The place is located in front of a Renault dealership that looks like this:<\/p>\n There is NO sign outside the door. You’ve just got to find the door with the address 35 Rue de Picpus. It looks like this: Cruise back to the back right hand corner and you’ll find the graves. \u00a0Look for the American Flag so you can visit Marquis for me.<\/p>\n I encourage you to bring a George Washington quarter from the year you were born to lay on the tomb of Marquis de Lafayette. \u00a0My wife and I did this, which really enhanced our experience.<\/p>\n Please. \u00a0Spend the time to make this trip. \u00a0It will be worth your time to pay homage to a man who has blessed your life immensely. \u00a0Thank you Marquis!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, or the Notre Dame are favorites for most people who visit the capital of France. \u00a0This romantic destination\u00a0abounds with sites that most people dream about throughout their entire lives. \u00a0They desires\u00a0so … Continue reading Marquis de Lafayette<\/h2>\n
![\"Gilbert](\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/3\/3f\/Gilbert_du_Motier_Marquis_de_Lafayette.PNG\" "\\"Gilbert")
<\/a>![\"Parisian](\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4-Paris-day-1-3.1-e1442376578798-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow to Find Marquis de Lafayette’s Grave<\/h2>\n
![\"highlight](\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Picpus-2.png\")
<\/p>\n
\n![\"Lafaayette\"](\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Picpus-Cemetery.png\")
You have to push a button and they’ll open the door for you. \u00a0This will bring you to a plaza that looks like this:<\/p>\n![\"PICPUS](\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4-Paris-day-1-1-e1442376013528-768x1024.jpg\")
Upon entering the plaza, turn immediately to your right and knock on a door. \u00a0A man attended to us and charged 2 Euro each for an entrance fee to the cemetery. \u00a0He then directed us to the Blue Gate on the left hand side of the chapel, through which we entered a long park. \u00a0![\"visit](\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4-Paris-day-1-3.01-e1442376170790-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFun Thing to Do<\/h2>\n