President Obama:
Well, this
has been a wonderful visit.
And I want to thank François
for joining us here today.
I thought this was an
appropriate way to start
the state visit because what it
signifies is the incredible
history between the
United States and France.
As one of our Founding Fathers,
the person who drafted our
Declaration of Independence,
somebody who not only was an
extraordinary political leader
but also one of our great
scientific and cultural leaders,
Thomas Jefferson represents
what's best in America.
But as we see as we
travel through his home,
what he also represents is
the incredible bond
and the incredible gifts that
France gave
to the United States, because he
was a Francophile
through and through.
He drew inspiration from the
Enlightenment ideas that
had been developed in France
and throughout Europe,
but he also drew from the
arts, from the architecture,
from the writings, from the
culture and from
the cuisine of France.
And so, in this sense, this home
represents the bonds that helped
lead to the American Revolution,
helped to influence
the French Revolution, figures
like Lafayette,
who played such a central role
in our own independence --
all this is signified
here at Monticello.
And our hope in starting
our visit this way is that,
just as we can extend back
through generations to see
the links between the United
States and France,
tomorrow we'll have an
opportunity to talk about
not only our current bonds and
alliance but also ways that
we can strengthen our
cooperation in the future.
And of course, this house also
represents the complicated
history of the United States.
We just visited downstairs where
we know the slaves helped
to build this
magnificent structure,
and the complex
relations that Jefferson,
the drafter of the Declaration
of Independence, had to slavery.
And it's a reminder for both of
us that we are going to continue
to fight on behalf of the rights
of all peoples -- something that
I know France has always
been committed to,
and we are committed to as well.
And I'm looking forward to
talking about issues of human
dignity and human rights not
just in our own countries,
but around the world as well.
So, Mr. President,
welcome to Monticello,
and we look forward to
continuing
our conversation tomorrow.
President Hollande:
(As interpreted.) I would like
to thank especially President
Obama for having invited
me to this house.
This is Thomas
Jefferson's house,
which means that this was a
man who understood --
met the Century of
Enlightenment, and he wanted
to represent this life throughout this house.
You can see life everywhere.
You can see it the objects, in
the refinement of the objects,
and its architecture.
Why is this house a symbol?
Because here Lafayette
was welcomed.
Together, Lafayette and
Jefferson imagined something
that seemed impossible -- mainly
American independence
and the rights of -- human
rights and the rights
of the citizen.
Thomas Jefferson drafted the
Declaration of Independence,
and Lafayette was also involved
in drafting the Rights
of the Citizen, and they met
together in this house.
There is something quite unique
about Jefferson in the fact that
he been ambassador of the United
States
to France before becoming U.S. President.
I do believe that is the only
American President
that had that experience.
And he was U.S. ambassador to
France at the time
of the French Revolution, and he
departed from France
in August of 1789, which means
after the 14th of July
with the taking of the Bastille.
He thought he had seen enough
and that he could go back home.
And then of course, he was
involved in the governance
of the United States before
becoming President.
And then Jefferson purchased
Louisiana from Napoleon.
And today we are not
demanding anything.
(Laughter.)
President Obama:
It was
a good bargain, though.
(Laughter.)
President Hollande:
(As interpreted.) I also wish
to confirm that this bond that
unites us with Jefferson,
that these bonds are
sustained over time,
because he represents
values and principles.
Freedom, human dignity, rights
-- these are the values to which
we are continuing to
fight around the world,
the United States and France.
We were allies in the time
of Jefferson and Lafayette.
We are still allies today.
We were friends in the time
of Jefferson and Lafayette,
and we will remain
friends forever.
Thank you.
President Obama:
Thank you very much.
