Philly has been called the ‘Paris of America.’ Here’s what French fans in town for the World Cup think.
The city has a lot of Paris influence in its architecture, and French fans in town for their country’s World Cup game in South Philly have noticed.
Some have called Philadelphia the “Paris of America.” Really.
It might be hard for locals to wrap their heads around this title, but there is some truth to the comparison — mostly due to the cities’ similarities in architecture. With France in town to take on Iraq in the World Cup at 5 p.m. (Fox29), here’s a look at some of Philadelphia’s Parisian connections and what French fans think of the comparison.
City’s architecture
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a popular example of Philadelphia borrowing from the French. Finished in 1929, the parkway was designed primarily by two Frenchmen, architect Paul Philippe Cret and city planner Jacques Gréber. Their inspiration? Paris’ Champs-Élysées, a similarly grand avenue that stretches throughout the city. They boast similar end points. The Champs-Élysées concludes with the grand Arc de Triomphe, while Philadelphians can spot the Philadelphia Museum of Art from City Hall.
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After World War I ended, but before the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Gréber hoped that the construction of Benjamin Franklin Parkway would bring in tourists just as the Champs-Élysées does.
“I am glad to say that, if by this work the city of Paris may be enabled to bring its sister in America the inspiration of what makes Paris so attractive to visitors,” Gréber said in 1918. “It will be the first opportunity of Paris to pay a little of the great debt of thankfulness for what Philadelphia and its citizens have done for France during the last three years.”
Additionally, Cret was the mind behind the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and redesign of Rittenhouse Square. City Hall also looks like it could have been picked up in Paris and plopped down in Philadelphia as it was built in the French Second Empire style.
Social media influencers have traveled to Philadelphia and Paris to show off the cities’ structural similarities. One influencer, who filmed various picturesque locations under Philadelphia, wrote, “sooo you’re telling me we’re not in Paris?”
Outside of architecture, the two cities also share history. Benjamin Franklin was a noted Francophile, traveling to France on many occasions. Famously, as a diplomat during the American Revolution, a 71-year-old Franklin convinced the French to support the Continental Army’s wartime efforts.
With all of those connections, it should be no surprise that the Michelin Guide named Philadelphia the “Frenchest American city,” in 2023, beating out New Orleans for the title.
“The history of Philadelphia is closer to the French history and with those architects that developed special aspects of the city, it’s introduced in a different scale that you don’t have in New Orleans,” Michelin Guide editor Philippe Orain previously told the Inquirer. “You will feel closer to France in Philadelphia than in New Orleans.”
“Frenchest city in the U.S.”
For the most part, French fans in Philadelphia for Monday’s game seemed to agree.
“The architecture looks quite French,” said French fan Tao Taumas, pointing to City Hall on Monday. “Yes, a lot, and we are living in Montreal now, and it looks exactly like the French part of Montreal.”
Vincent Magardeau, who traveled to Philadelphia with Taumas, did not fully agree with his friend’s conclusion.
“I’m pretty surprised that you say that,” Magardeau said after being informed of Philadelphia’s similarities to Paris. “But now that you say it, you can see the architecture here and there, but I wouldn’t say that this is the most French city that I could see.”
Gabriel Sabinaud, who “never heard about anything in Philadelphia,” arrived in the city early Monday morning after staying in New York City. A local informed Sabinaud to try a soft pretzel before he leaves, so he headed to the Philly Pretzel Factory near City Hall before the game. Sabinaud, although having limited time to explore, definitely saw the similarities between the two cities.
“The east side of the U.S. is definitely more European than the west side,” Sabinaud said. “I’ve been to San Francisco as well, not European. No, it’s not. So [Philadelphia] is definitely more European and Parisian at some points. You’ve got tiny streets with lots of people making noise with their cars. Very similar, more similar to Paris than the west side.”
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Many French fans explored Center City before taking the Broad Street Line to South Philadelphia for the game. For a moment, before it began to rain heavily, “Les Bleus” had taken over downtown.
“You can see the vibe of French people here,” Taumas said. “With the World Cup, I would say it’s a French city, because everyone is wearing French jerseys, so you might be the Frenchest city in the U.S.”
Nine nations will compete in five group stage matches this summer, plus two more in a knockout game on July 4. Here’s what you need to know about those countries — and what those fans need to know about Philly. Click here for more.