Lafayette Square

The Lafayette Square, in Washington

The Lafayette Square is a park located just in front of the White House, former piece of the presidential park. The Washington audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this green space that bears the name of the Marquis de La Fayette, French hero of the American War of Independence.

The park of the heroes of the Independence

The Lafayette Square was formerly part of the presidential park. It was separated from the White House in 1804 by President Thomas Jefferson, who had the road that is between the park and the building laid out. The square took the name of Lafayette in the 1820s, in tribute to the Marquis de La Fayette, one of the most famous French heroes of the American War of Independence, this nobleman who crossed the Atlantic to fight alongside the insurgents and who became a symbol of the Franco-American friendship. The square is moreover adorned with statues of several foreign heroes who contributed to the independence of the United States, including La Fayette himself. Located just in front of the White House, this green and careful park is one of the most symbolic of the capital. A place of promenade, relaxation and sometimes gathering, it offers a fine perspective over the presidential residence. With its lawns, its trees and its monuments, it is a pleasant haven of greenery in the heart of the district of power. A historic park and a tribute to the heroes of the Independence, the Lafayette Square is a fine stop of the discovery of Washington.

What to see

Here you enjoy the park located just in front of the White House, former piece of the presidential park separated in 1804 by Thomas Jefferson, which bears since the 1820s the name of the Marquis de La Fayette, French hero of the American Independence; adorned with statues of foreign heroes of the Independence, this green park offers a fine perspective over the presidential residence. The Lafayette Square is a haven of greenery of Washington. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Lafayette Square lies just in front of the White House, in Washington, reachable on foot and by public transport. It is a public open-air park, generally freely accessible, whose surroundings are watched. You discover it during a walk in the presidential district.

Why does the Lafayette Square of Washington bear this name?

In tribute to the Marquis de La Fayette, one of the most famous French heroes of the American War of Independence, who crossed the Atlantic to fight alongside the insurgents; former piece of the presidential park separated from the White House in 1804 by Thomas Jefferson, the square took its name in the 1820s and is adorned with statues of foreign heroes of the Independence.

Where is the Lafayette Square in Washington?

Just in front of the White House, in Washington, in the United States.