The Place des Vosges is an important and historic square in the centre of Paris. It is situated north of the Seine, in the east of the Marais, in the 4th Arrondissement.
Discover the Place Des Vosges
France This Way review: the Place des Vosges is interesting for historic reasons, but it is the beautiful and unified architecture, and the attractive park in the centre of the square, that will make your visit memorable
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The Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris, having been built by King Henry IV in 1612. Square in form, it measures just under 150 metres on each side.
The architecture in the square is essentially still the same as the original, with imposing red brick and white stone townhouses on all four sides of the square.
Large stone arcades at ground level of these houses now contain lots of shops and cafes, and also provide welcome shade from the sun (or shelter from the rain if you are unlucky). The houses then have two levels of red brick stone for the houses, and then two levels of space within the large attic areas.
The only exception is the central houses on the north and south side, which have an additional storey. These are the Pavillon of the King and the Pavillon of the Queen.
The official inauguration of the Place des Vosges took place in 1615, under King Louis XIII. A large bronze statue of Louis XIII was placed in the middle of the square.
Although the buildings are little changed after four centuries, the park was destroyed during the Revolution and the large statue that once dominated the centre was removed. The current layout of the park, with its fountains and large trees, was designed in the early 19th century, and the marble statue of Louis XIII was added at this time.
The square gained its current name in 1799, to celebrate the Vosges department, which was the first department to pay its taxes after the Revolution. It was previously called the Place Royale.
There is a wide choice of cafes and restaurants around the square and in the nearby street, but if the weather is nice, we suggest you simply find a boulangerie and other small shops to create a picnic: a patisserie and a fromagerie might be the only other shops you need!
You can then enjoy your picnic in the beautiful setting of the park in the centre of the Place des Vosges, while watching Parisians go about their business and letting your children run around, and saving on the cost of a restaurant! The large trees provide shade if it is too hot to sit outside.
It is true that the Place des Vosges has gained a certain fame on social media in recent years, and can get quite busy, ut generally it is quite calm, and large enough to cope with the influx of tourists.
I have been told that a popular cartoon series called Miraculous Ladybug is set in Paris and features the Place des Vosges, making the square popular with many children. I can't claim to know anything about this but if you child likes Miraculous Ladybug this could be the place to visit!
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Attractions nearby
In the south-east corner of the Place des Vosges you can visit the Maison Victor Hugo, where the famous author lived in an apartment for many years. Even if you are not familiar with Victor Hugo, it is an interesting chance to see a 19th century apartment in the centre of Paris, and it is free to enter.
The courtyard and gardens of the Hotel de Sully can be reached from the south-west corner of the Place des Vosges.
You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.
To make travel arrangements to visit Place des Vosges see HERE
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Photos of Place des Vosges
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Map of Place des Vosges and places nearby
Places to visit near Place des Vosges
Maison de Victor Hugo
The Maison de Victor Hugo is a large apartment in the house where Victor Hugo lived, on the Place des Vosges
Maison de Victor Hugo guide
Hotel de Sully
The Hotel de Sully is an impressive 17th century mansion house with courtyard and gardens in the Maris district of Paris
Hotel de Sully guide
Church Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis
The Church Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis is an imposing baroque style church in the Marais quarter of Paris
Church Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis guide
Hôtel de Sens
The Hotel de Sens is a 15th century Bishop's palace in the Marais district of Paris
Hôtel de Sens guide
River Seine
The Seine river is at the heart of the city, near many of the famous monuments, and a boat ride on the Seine is a popular attraction
River Seine guide
Jardin Tino Rossi
The Tino Rossi garden is both a pretty riverside walk and garden and also an outdoor sculpture museum.
Jardin Tino Rossi guide