You may have walked past Square Thomas Jefferson in Paris… but do you know why a Parisian square is named after an American president?
Thomas Jefferson was not only the third President of the United States and the principal author of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
He was also a great lover of France.
Before becoming president, Jefferson spent several years in Paris as a diplomat. During his stay, he discovered the language, the culture… and especially French cuisine. He learned French, attended Parisian salons, and literally fell in love with French food and wine.
When he returned to America, he introduced several specialties that were unknown at the time, such as macaroni and ice cream, and he served his guests meals inspired by French cuisine.
But Jefferson was also a curious inventor. He came up with several clever devices, including a machine to automatically copy his letters and even a machine to make pasta.
Next time you pass by Square Thomas Jefferson in Paris, remember that it doesn’t just honor an American president… but also one of the greatest admirers of French culture.
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