Equestrian statue of Louis XIII in the center of Place des Vosges
Designed in 1612 by Louis Métézeau, at the request of Henri IV, this square is the oldest in Paris, just before Place Dauphine, on the Île de la Cité. Straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, it was first named Place Royale.
Henri IV, whose bust can be seen on a facade of the Pavillon du Roi, which is located in the axis of rue de Birague (formerly rue Royale), never lived there. The Queen's Pavilion is on the other side.
The square was inaugurated under Louis XIII, whose equestrian statue occupies the center
During the French Revolution, it was successively renamed “place des Fédérés”, “place du Parc-d’Artillerie”, “place de la Fabrication-des-Armes” and “place de l’Indivisabilité”. In 1800, under the Consultat, Napoleon Bonaparte renamed it “Place des Vosges” in honor of the Vosges department, the first to have paid tax under the French Revolution.
The return of the monarchy gave it its initial name of “Place Royale” from 1814 to 1830 and from 1952 to 1870. It also briefly, in 1830, was called “Place de la République”.
Place des Vosges has a twin, Place Ducale located in Charleville-Mézières.
Text: Katia Barillot
Photos: ©Anaïs Costet
FOR PASSIONATES OFUS
Juliette Drouet actress, muse and mistress of Victor Hugo
At 14 rue Sainte-Anastase, from 1836 to 45 and at 12 from 1845 to 48, a few hundred meters from Place des Vosges, lived the muse and lover of Victor Hugo, Juliette Drouet née Julienne Gauvain.
Rue Vieille-du-Temple: the fabulous construction site restarts
A luxury hotel will be created at the end of the work. On the ground floor, the old stables and carriage houses will house the restaurant on the large courtyard, while the first courtyard, on rue Vieille-du-Temple, will feature two businesses continuing its 19th century layout.
The Marais festival, a fabulous story
The Festival du Marais dates back to a time that those under 60 cannot know. However, this leading artistic event was for a long time one of the most popular cultural events in the capital. For a quarter of a century, from 1962 to 1987, this unique festival…
NOW ON THE MOOD MARSH
The best tattoo parlors in Marais
Tattooing, an age-old practice, has long been the prerogative of convicts, dock workers, the underworld and sailors. Although it has become democratized, now affecting all profiles and concerning one in five French people, including 16% women compared to 10% men, it still remains taboo due to its definitive and transgressive nature.
Juliette Drouet actress, muse and mistress of Victor Hugo
At 14 rue Sainte-Anastase, from 1836 to 45 and at 12 from 1845 to 48, a few hundred meters from Place des Vosges, lived the muse and lover of Victor Hugo, Juliette Drouet née Julienne Gauvain.
Piccola Mia, the pizzas of the Republic
On the Place de la République, a brasserie with Italian accents has just opened, which quickly made people forget the old Pizza Pino. Welcome to Piccola Mia, the fruit of the joyful encounter between Italian chef Denny Imbroisi, pizza chef Julien Serri and mixologist Matthias Giroud who creates a creative cocktail menu.