Feb. 23, 2025

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

What seemed like an outlandish fantasy just a few weeks ago — the possible transformation of Bricklyn from an independent LEGO realm into a French overseas territory — has taken a serious turn.

Officials from both Bricklyn’s Department of Outland Affairs (DOA) and France’s Ministry of Overseas Territories, known as the Ministère Des Outre-Mer (MOM) have been meeting behind closed doors at MOM headquarters in Paris in what both sides have termed “informal integration conversations.”

Guillaume de Bricklain, Secretary of Bricklyn’s DOA, initiated contact with France’s MOM just three weeks ago, in part in response to requests from members of Bricklyn’s quite influential chapter of the Alliance Française to investigate the possibility of “integrating” Bricklyn into the French Republic as an overseas territory, joining the 13 other departments and collectivities currently comprising France’s Outre-mer.

According to several members of the Alliance Française, Guillaume de Bricklain’s family lineage dates back to a 17th century Bricklyn scout for famous explorer Samuel de Champlain. This may have helped stir Bricklain’s interest in Bricklyn becoming the newest French overseas territory.

Stories passed down through generations of Bricklyn families indicate that early 17th century LEGO peoples stowed away on several French vessels bound for New France. Some of these early Bricklynites, who settled close to present-day Bricklyn, are said to have canoed with Champlain through parts of the vast French territory. To honor their early North American ancestors, some Bricklyn direct descendants of these early voyageurs have taken on the last name “de Bricklain.” More details can be obtained from the Bricklyn Genealogical Society.

Vermont as Part of Historic “New France”

“French explorer Samuel de Champlain claimed the area of what is now Lake Champlain, giving the name, Verd Mont (Green Mountain) to the region he found, on a 1647 map.

” … France claimed Vermont as part of New France, and erected Fort Sainte Anne on Isle La Motte in 1666 as part of their fortification of Lake Champlain. This was the first European settlement in Vermont. … Following France’s loss in the French and Indian War, the 1763 Treaty of Paris gave control of the whole region to the British.”
— from Wikipedia entry on the History of Vermont.

If Bricklyn were to become part of Overseas France, it would result in the Tripartite Realm becoming only the second sliver of the former colonial-era expanse of “New France” to be part of today’s France. Bricklyn would join in this honor with the small island territories of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, located just off the coast of Labrador.

French officials charged with administering the Outre-mer appeared surprisingly open to discussions with their Bricklyn homologues.

As one anonymous French ministry staffer told us:
“Given the several crises among our overseas territories in past years, it would be welcome news to have a territory, even a quite small one, that seeks to preserve and strengthen its liberty by joining the French Republic. What’s more, given the distaste many of us have for American President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, and their efforts to shred NATO and the EU, it would be pleasant to tell them that a part of the United States is now French territory!”

For some brief background on the French Overseas Regions and Territories see this helpful video:

Questions Still on the Table

Direct conversations to date have taken place between French Minister of the Outre-mer (and former Prime Minister) Manuel Valls and Bricklyn Secretary of Outland Affairs Guillaume de Bricklain.

Bricklain has reportedly been sounding out Valls on the level of assistance France could provide the Realm of Bricklyn, as well as whether Bricklyn would be integrated within the Outre-mer as a “collectivity” or as an actual “department” of France, and the degree of autonomy the Bricklyn Federal Council and other Bricklyn institutions would have.

Also apparently discussed was the possible emergency provision of a detachment of the French Foreign Legion, as has been provided on occasion to other French territories, including Mayotte. The Legion has been involved in both military operations and humanitarian missions.

➤ Department or Collectivity?

Overseas Departments & Regions (DROM): These territories (such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, and Mayotte) are fully integrated parts of France.  They function similarly to other French departments, with less local legislative independence than collectivities since the central French government directly manages many aspects of policy and public administration.

Overseas Collectivities (COM): Collectivities (like French Polynesia, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Saint-Martin, and Saint-Barthélemy) enjoy a greater degree of autonomy. While they are still part of the French Republic and are represented at the national level in the French Parliament, these territories have their own legislative bodies and can enact local laws in areas such as taxation, immigration, and cultural affairs.

Other related questions involve Bricklyn’s use of the Euro (replacing the CuDo / Copper Donut) and its possible membership in the European Union.

Valls is said to be seeking assurances that Bricklyn will strengthen its ties with the five Lego realms located within Metropolitan France and advocate for their membership in the League of Inland Cities, headquartered in Bricklyn.

Also of interest to Valls, who is fluent in French, Spanish, and Catalan, would be adding French as an official language of Bricklyn, joining English and joining or replacing Danish.

What Comes Next?

Our sources tell us that top French and Bricklyn leaders will be briefed on the recent Paris informal integration conversations. This will include on the Bricklyn side Federal Council President Hilma Plater-Zybrick and Federal Chancellor Malter Thurnbrick, and on the French side, President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister François Bayrou. If all goes well, expect leaders from France and Bricklyn to meet for face-to-face talks in early April.

Before the recent talks between Bricklyn and France, many of Bricklyn’s pundits had thought that unification with the Danish Realm was the only option being considered, and had discounted those voices calling for negotiations with the French.

Sandra Plater Sanders, spokesperson for Bricklyn’s Office of Outland Affairs, told the Bricklyn press that “frank and productive discussions with leaders and friends in both Denmark and France have taken place,” adding that “these two freedom-loving nations are aware of the threat of mass deportation facing Bricklynites under the new American administration, and have already offered us assistance, though at this time I’m not at liberty to specify what form this might take.”

“But what I can say,” continued Ms. Sanders, “is that we in Bricklyn have been impressed by the level of support France has given to its overseas territories and departments, including a formidable effort to support the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte’s recovery from last December’s devastating cyclone.

“At the same time,” added Sanders, “despite the past differences with Denmark which led to the great exodus of the early 1980s of Bricklynites from Denmark to Vermont, we still share a deep affinity with the Danish people.”

MOM attaché Michel Pressoir echoed Sanders comments, saying that “both Bricklyn and France share core values, including a belief in ordered liberty.” Pressoir added, “we stand united against autocrats of any stripe, and look forward to determining if Bricklyn’s integration into the Outre-mer would make sense both for Bricklyn and for France. It will be a great pleasure to again meeting with our Bricklyn counterparts in April to conclude this assessment and determine a course of action.”

The Bricklyn Eagle has sought comment from the office of Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, but no response has yet been received.

The Bricklyn Eagle will continue to monitor developments regarding Bricklyn talks with France and Denmark. ✥

For more on the French response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido on the Island of Mayotte this past December:

• France rushes in help to Mayotte to support rescue operations after devastating Cyclone
• A Mayotte, l’Etat promet de mobiliser « tous les moyens possibles » après le passage dévastateur du cyclone Chido
• Adoption du projet de loi d’urgence pour Mayotte à l’Assemblée nationale
  

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

To the Editor: One more example of how we’re overreacting to the American elections. I haven’t seen any ICE police patrolling our streets. I haven’t heard Trump or Musk even mentioning Bricklyn. Better for us to simply stay under the human radar. That has served us well for many years. Let’s not trigger or get ourselves involved in an international crisis! — Anita Plater Jacobs, Bricklyn Jct., VT.

To the Editor: If joining the French Republic means adding direct Brick Air flights to wonderful destinations like French Polynesia, I’m all for it! One suggestion: when the French delegation comes to Bricklyn, make sure they dine at L’Étoile du Nord. That place really deserves a Michelin star. I love the increasing French influence in Bricklyn, and having us part of France would also let us share in those three great words: Liberté, Fraternité, Egalité. — Robert Brickover, South Bricklyn, VT.