| Place des Vosges (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Place des Vosges
Photographer Description of Place des Vosges
360 panorama taken from the Place des Vosges showing one of the entrance buildings and the three arches that lead to the square. The Place des Vosges is quite tucked away, and a very relaxing place to be. It is a little away from the main tourist spots of Paris, but worth the effort to get to as it is so quiet and peaceful. As seen in this panorama, the square is elegant and well looked after.Place des Vosges - Further Information
Place des Vosges is the oldest square in Paris. The square is very close to the Place de la Bastille. Place des Vosges was originally known as the Place Royale, established between 1605 and 1612 by Henri IV. The square is 140m long on all sides. All the houses were built to the same design with red brick and strips of stone quoins. The houses have steep blue stale roofs and stand over vaulted arcades set on square pillars.On the north and south sides of the square are higher buildings with 3 arches, called the Pavilion of the King and of the Queen. One of these is visible in this panorama. Access to the square in the Place des Vosges is via these arches. This picture shows two of the four fountains that stand in each corner of the Place de Vosges. In the middle of he square is an equestrian statue of Louis XIII which dates from 1825. This statue is hidden by the trees in this panoramic image, but can just be made out in the satellite view of the Google map of Paris.
Although no royal person lived in the Place de Vosges, a number of other important people have done so. The Maison de Victor Hugo is on the south east corner and has now been turned into a museum.
Travel Directions and Getting There:
Metro: Bastille (line1, 5, 8), Chemin Vert (line 8)