The LEGO realm of Bricklyn, VT has just joined the French Republic.

May 15, 2025

by Mark Tiler Richmond, Politics & Law Correspondent & Duane Sandville, Outland Affairs Correspondent

In an historic vote, the French Parliament overwhelmingly approved on the fourteenth day of May Bricklyn’s application to become the fourteenth member of France Outre-Mer. This means that the 250 acres of Bricklyn located within the United States in the State of Vermont is now officially a part of the French Republic, with representation in the French Parliament.

Wide view of the French National Assembly during a parliamentary debate, featuring rows of seated representatives in red chairs. — Panorama of the French National Assembly.
Photo credit: Richard Ying et Tangui Morlier, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A member of the French Parliament speaking at a podium while holding notes, dressed in a pinstriped suit and glasses.

A speaker addresses the French National Assembly with members and audience seated in rows, showcasing a formal political debate atmosphere.

Photos of debate posted on the French National Assembly’s Instagram page.

Celebratory scene in front of the Eiffel Tower with fireworks and a large crowd holding flags and a sign that reads 'BRICKLIN!' — Photos above and below by Allain Renard, with assistance from Dall-E AI.

Following the vote, crowds encircling the Eiffel Tower erupted in cheers as a dazzling display of fireworks arced through the Paris sky.

Cries of “Vive Bricklyn” and “Vive France” echoed in the air.

A vibrant LEGO representation of a parliamentary session, featuring various LEGO figures celebrating with raised arms, set in a grand assembly hall adorned with French flags.

The galleries of the National Assembly were filled with LEGO supporters, along with a dozen Bricklynites who made the long trip to Paris to help advocate for a “Oui” vote.

Cheers rang out when the final vote tally supporting Bricklyn’s entry into the French Republic was announced.

In a statement jointly issued by French President Emmanuel Macron and Bricklyn Federal Council President Hilma Plater-Zybrick, the two leaders thanked both the French Parliament and Bricklyn voters:

Portrait of Emmanuel Macron, French President, in a formal setting with a neutral expression. — *President Emmanuel Macron. Credit: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons*

“This day will go down in the annals of both French and Bricklyn history. France has shown its fortitude and respect for democratic values by accepting Bricklyn’s application for entry into the French Republic as an Overseas Collectivity. Bricklyn has shown its appreciation of the long-held values of Liberté, Égalité, & Fraternité that undergird the French Republic.”

“No one doubts we are now in perilous waters, but working together, France and Bricklyn will be shining beacons of hope and safe harbor.“

A close-up of a LEGO figure representing a Federal Council member, seated at a table with a nameplate, surrounded by other LEGO figures in formal attire. — Hilma Plater-Zybrick. Credit: The Bricklyn Eagle, with assistance from Dall-E AI.

“We also look forward to the cultural and culinary benefits of this union, as both Bricklyn and France will share their special heritage. Bonds between Inland and Outland peoples will be strengthened. “

“We stand together today and in the future in solidarity.”

Steps Leading Up to the French Parliament’s Vote

For those readers who have not followed some of the past few months’ twists and turns, we offer a summary:

Could Bricklynites be deported out of the State of Vermont? — Image of what mass deportation of Bricklynites might look like. Rendering prepared with assistance of Dall-E AI.

Bricklyn’s application to join the French Republic had its origins in Bricklynites’ fears of being deported from their Vermont homeland by the current U.S. administration.

While Bricklyn has a written agreement with the State of Vermont that authorized the Bricklyn government in 1981 to lease (for 99 years) 250 acres of land within the municipalities of Burlington and South Burlington, this agreement was never formally ratified by the United States.

While the federal government for over 40 years has never raised the immigration “status” of Bricklynites as an issue, Bricklynites now fear being targeted for deportation as aliens.

A LEGO-themed travel ID card featuring a smiling female figure in a suit, identified as belonging to Bricklyn, Vermont.

These Identification cards have long enabled Bricklynites to travel within the State of Vermont’s “Outerlands,” But as one State Department Official said off the record, “these little pieces of trash have no value as proof of permanent resident status anywhere in the United States, including in Bricklyn.”

This concern led in the past few months to a series of discussions among Bricklyn officials, followed by negotiations with their counterparts in Denmark and France focusing on the possibility of Bricklyn joining the Danish Realm, the French Republic, or both.

After Denmark withdrew from negotiations due to concerns about further straining its relationship with the United States, meetings between Bricklyn and French officials continued, with French negotiators agreeing to accept Bricklyn’s entry into the French Republic as an “Overseas Collectivity” on a “trial” four year basis — the first time this kind of temporary arrangement has been undertaken for the France Overseas, aka “France Outre-Mer.”

The agreement also “carved out” Bricklyn’s right to maintain its own diplomatic relations with three governments (the State of Vermont; the Realm of Denmark; and the United Kingdom), while consulting with France’s prefect in Bricklyn on any significant foreign policy matters.

The draft agreement was subsequently reviewed by a joint committee of the French National Assembly and Senate charged with dealing with France Outre-Mer. The committee unanimously recommended to Parliament approval of the agreement.

Bricklynites voting on the referendum to join the French Republic. — Bricklyn voters lining up to vote on the referendum. Photo by Bricklyn Eagle’s Ann Tiler Anderson.

But before Parliament could act, Bricklyn voters needed to approve a referendum formally requesting admission into the French Republic.

On May 1, 2025, Bricklyn voters passed the referendum by a wide margin, and the application for admission to the French Republic, incorporating the Franco-Bricklyn agreement, was forwarded to the French Parliament for action.

Manuel Valls at meeting of Delegation aux outre-mer — Manuel Valls. Photo from videotape of Parliament’s *Délégation aux outre-mer* meeting of March 2025.

Prior to the Parliamentary debate on Bricklyn’s application, some concerns had been expressed about the fiscal impact of Bricklyn joining the French Republic.

Minister of the Outre-Mer Manuel Valls addressed this by noting that the agreement included a cap on annual expenditures to support Bricklyn, but did not foreclose the possibility of sending a detachment of French Legionnaires to Bricklyn if necessary for the population’s protection.

The agreement also included authorization for two daily flights between Bricklyn and Paris, one by Air France, the other by Brick Air, with the expectation that this frequency would likely be increased as tourist and business connections strengthen — one of the expected benefits of Bricklyns entry into France Outre-Mer.

An artistic rendering of a LEGO-style airplane named 'Brick Air' flying over a colorful landscape featuring miniature houses and fields. — Brick Air is already in the process of building AGVs (Avions à Grandes Vitesse) which would be used for direct flights between Bricklyn and Paris. Rendering provided by Brick Air, with assistance of Dall-E AI.

Also included in the agreement was Bricklyn’s pledge to advocate for the admission of the five French-based LEGO realms into the League of Inland Cities, a provision key to generating support for the agreement from those realms.

The day before the vote concerns were also raised by several National Assembly deputies from the Outre-Mer that Bricklyn’s entry might serve to take attention away from their own nations’ problems. Some of these concerns focused on the French government’s failings related to the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido that hit the Outre-Mer nation of Mayotte in December 2024, as well as tensions between pro and anti-independence groups in New Caledonia.

Minister Valls, joined by Prime Minister François Bayrou, met with the Outre-Mer deputies and provided detailed assurances that the issues raised would be fully addressed, avoiding derailing the Franco-Bricklyn accord. This tied the final knot ensuring Bricklyn’s admission. ✥

A colorful illustration of a stylized eagle's head made of LEGO pieces, with bright blue and multicolored circular bricks in the background.

We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com

To the Editor: “May 14th! What a great day for Bricklyn! As leaders of the Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française 🇫🇷 we look forward to welcoming visitors from France’s five LEGO realms to stay for a month at our beautiful, but reasonably priced, apartments in our headquarters building. Get to know Bricklyn, and help us get to know France.” — Patsy Brickerson and Jeanette Brickehl, Co-Presidents, Bricklyn Alliance Française.

A LEGO figure dressed in 18th-century clothing stands with a musket, in a forest setting with a creek in the background. — Ethan Allenbrick by the Brickooski River. Photo by Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance from Dall-E AI.

To the Editor: “It’s a sad commentary that we Bricklynites have concluded that we can’t stand on our own feet in facing any threats, and found the need to join the fading remnants of a Colonial empire. What would our Green Mountain boys think!

Do we really expect a contingent of French Legionnaires to come to our aid? Our forefathers and mothers years ago left the Old World behind. We should have kept it behind us.” — Ethan Allenbrick, Bricklyn, VT.

Lars Brickmussen. Photo from The Bricklyn Eagle archives.

To the Editor: The League of Inland Cities is pleased to offer its congratulations on Bricklyn’s entry into the French Republic. In an informal poll of our 27 member realms and cities, there was also broad support for the admission of the five LEGO realms located within France to our League. While details of this, of course, will need to be worked out, I am confident that before long we will have five new members.

It is a tribute to diplomats on both sides of the Atlantic to have swiftly reached agreement on an action that will surely have far-reaching impacts for both Inland and Outland nations worldwide. — Lars Brickmussen, Presiding Officer, League of Inland Cities, Bricklyn, VT.

Close-up of a LEGO figure with a yellow bald head and white beard, holding a bucket of popcorn while sitting on a couch. — Grandpa Simpson at The Palace Theatre. Photo by Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance from Dall-E AI.

To the Editor: “What’s this I hear about the French? Will we have French fries with every meal now? I’m OK with that as long as they’re topped with gravy.

Where’s that good for nothing son of mine? He hanging out with a French crowd now?

What did you say in your article? I can’t read things that long. Why don’t you write articles I can understand, or at least have good pictures in them like that article you did about the spa? That spa is gonna be the first place our French visitors will go if they have the smarts! — Abraham Jebediah “Abe” Simpson II, aka Grandpa Simpson, Bricklyn, VT.

Rogue Schoolers en France. — Rogue Schoolers in France, Photo courtesy of Rogue Schoolers, with assistance of Dall-E AI.

To the Editor: Just to let everyone know, we at Rogue Schoolers are already starting to plan a Fall tour to France, and hope to visit each of the five LEGO realms located in metropolitan France. Other trips are also in the works.

Our last trip to France was a wonderful experience for all, but we’re even more excited to visit now that Bricklyn has become part of the French Republic. — Jennifer Brickdon, Paris, France.

To the Editor: You think the government of France or Vermont is going to protect you? Just remember, we’ve got our eyes on every last one of you illegal Bricklynites. If you’re lucky you’ll land back in Denmark, more likely somewhere a little hotter. You LEGO people ever spend time in Libya before? — Anonymous, The White House, Washington, DC.

A LEGO figurine with a mustache and stylish outfit stands in an urban setting, with a small LEGO cat peeking out from behind a wall. — Chamber of Commerce Director Tom Brickorti. Photo from The Bricklyn Eagle archives.

To the Editor: On behalf of the Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce we thank the French Parliament for their vote of confidence in Bricklyn.

As the newest member of France Overseas, we welcome French businesses to open up shop in Bricklyn. Our staff can help you deal with any of the complexities of the Bricklyn Avatar law.

Bienvenue à Bricklyn! — Tom Brickorti, CEO, Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce.