Paris is an ancient city, one of the most legendary in Europe, and in it we can find several spaces with centuries of history. One of them is the Vosges Square, the first to be built in the French capital, as well as the one that served as inspiration to design many other Parisian squares. Currently, those who visit Paris must pass through this famous square.
Medieval cities were places of great movement, where huge numbers of people lived and all kinds of economic activities were carried out. Also, capitals used to be the home of royalty and the seat of the aristocracy.
However, there was a problem, and that is that these metropolises had grown without planning, so they were disorganized and there were no recreational spaces for citizens. Paris was no exception to this rule, but it began to change with the arrival of Henry IV to the throne.
This French king was one of the first urban planners, and during his reign the construction of modern Paris began. The first of his projects was the Place des Vosges, a place with beautiful gardens and surrounded by beautiful buildings.
The area occupied by the Vosgos Square used to be a castle of the monarchy, so the original name of the place was Royal Place. This denomination changed in 1800, when it received its current nickname.
When thinking of a French plaza, this should be the first that comes to mind. The Vosges Square is square, surrounded by two-story buildings, all lined with red brick. Inside we find four gardens, linked together by different natural corridors.
Also, in the middle of each corridor there is a small square, and each of these squares has a fountain. On the other hand, in the main center, where the corridors converge, we find a dense grove and an equestrian statue of Louis XIII. Due to its royal origins, this part of the square is still known as the King’s Pavilion.
Similarly, in the corridors of the buildings that line the Vosgos Square there are different cafes and restaurants, where you can have a drink, rest and admire the beautiful gardens of the square.
By the way, there is one more curiosity, and that is that this space was also a residential place. Important figures in the contemporary history of France lived in their houses and apartments, such as Victor Hugo, writer and poet, and also writer Alphonse Daudet, among many others.
The Place des Vosges has witnessed over time many historical and cultural events. It was inaugurated under the name of Place Royale in 1612 to celebrate the engagement of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, who eventually married in 1615. This event consolidated the square as an emblem of monarchical power and as a place of festivity for the French nobility.
During the seventeenth century duels between nobles to defend their honor were common. The geometric design of the square, the central gardens and the shady arcades were a perfect setting for these confrontations. The Place des Vosges witnessed many of these confrontations.
In 1789 with the start of the French Revolution the square was transformed from a symbol of aristocratic power to a public space more accessible to ordinary citizens. During this revolutionary period many of the aristocrats who inhabited the square fled, others were arrested and executed at the guillotine. After the Revolution, in 1799 it was renamed Place des Vosges.
Between 1832 and 1848, the famous writer Victor Hugo lived at number 6, Place des Vosges. He lived in an elegant apartment on the second floor of the Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée with a privileged view of the square. It was during this period that Victor Hugo wrote many of his most famous works. Today, his former home is a monographic museum that pays tribute to his life and work.
In 1954, the Place des Vosges, one of the most historic and representative squares in Paris, was officially designated a French Historical Monument. The assignment is a tribute to its cultural, architectural and historical value, thus safeguarding the legacy for generations to come.
This square is located in the unmistakable Marais district, one of the most modern districts of Paris. It is possible to walk to the Place des Vosges, but considering that Paris is a huge city, it is advisable to take public transport.
In the same way, keep in mind that the entrance to the square is free, and that you can be there as long as you want. Vosgos Square is open all year round, so there is no date or season limit.
However, the best time to go to see it is during spring and summer, when the sun is shining and the trees are full of greenery.
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