Unveiled on July 4, 2006, the statue of Thomas Jefferson by Jean Cardot stands on the left bank of the Seine, facing the Hôtel de Salm (renamed the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur after the French Revolution).
Jefferson was the U.S. ambassador to France from 1784-89. He admired the Hôtel de Salm and used it as one of the models for his Monticello. In his left hand is the blueprint of Monticello.