top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

President Macron writes poem for British girl

Birthday surprise for Sophie as president replies to her poem about the Eiffel Tower

A young British girl has received a surprise 13th birthday present from President Macron – a poem he wrote for her.

Mr Macron was replying to a letter Sophie sent to the Elysée in April with a poem celebrating a visit to Paris and her first sight of the Eiffel Tower.

The French Embassy in London made a video of her poem and showed Mr Macron’s poem in both English and French.

The president is known to love poetry and his signed reply to mark her 13th birthday makes the point that he did read and enjoy her poem.

It was initially assumed that Mr Macron had written the English-language version of the poem, however the French embassy later clarified that he wrote it in French and they translated it.

Here is the text of Mr Macron’s poetic reply, in English and French:

On a trip to Paris one day, little Sophie

Met a giant lady lighting up the night sky

"What's your name, you magical monster?"

"My many visitors call me the Eiffel Tower."

"In all your attire, don't you sometimes tire

Of being seen only as a humdrum tower?

You, a dragon, a fairy watching over Paris,

An Olympic torch held aloft in grey skies?"

"How you flatter me! So few poets these days

Ever sing the praises of my Parisian soul,

As did Cocteau, Aragon, Cendrars,

Trénet and Apollinaire... Since you're so good

At seeing beneath the surface, you could

-If you like, when you're back from France-

Take up your pen and write down

Why you like me -it would be nice and fun!"

"You can count on me! There's so much to say!

I'll write twenty lines... but who will read them?"

"Well, I know a man who'll read your verse."

"Really? Who?"

"The President of France"
 

En voyage à Paris, la petite Sophie 

Croisa une géante illuminant la nuit.

"Comment t'appelles-tu, monstre surnaturel ?"

"Mes nombreux visiteurs m'appellent Tour Eiffel"

"N'es-tu pas parfois lasse, avec tes mille atours

Que l'on ne voie en toi qu'une banale tour ?

Toi le dragon, la fée, qui veille sur Paris,

Toi, immense flambeau planté dans le ciel gris !"

"Quel plaisir tu me fais ! Ils sont devenus rares

Ceux qui comme Cocteau, Aragon ou Cendrars,

Trenet, Apollinaire, avaient su célébrer

Mon âme parisienne aux charmes singuliers.

Puisque tu sais si bien percer les apparences, 

Tu pourrais, si tu veux, à ton retour de France,

Prendre à ton tour la plume et conter en anglais

(It would be nice and fun) ce qui chez moi te plaît !"

"Tu peux compter sur moi ! Il y a tant à dire !

Je t'écrirai vingt vers... Mais qui voudra les lire ?"

"Oh, moi j'en connais un qui lira ton cantique."

"C'est ?"

"Monsieur le président de la République"

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France