Lafayette: France’s forgotten hero, America’s beloved patriot

In France, the name Lafayette is well known, but the man behind it – Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette – often fades into the background of the country’s rich historical tapestry. In the United States, however, the Marquis de Lafayette is remembered as a national hero. His legacy is honoured in museums, schools, and public monuments, largely because of his pivotal role –alongside France – in helping the American colonies secure independence from Britain.