Place Des Vosges

Place des Vosges is a perfectly symmetrical public square in Paris, constructed way back between the years 1605 and 1612. Located in the Marais district of Paris, between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, this public square is famous for being perfectly symmetrical- a neat 140 m by 140 m.

It is also the oldest planned square in the city of Paris and is built around a number of classical French pavilions and neatly trimmed gardens. Explore the beauty of Place des Vosges with our Europe tour packages. The square was initially named Place Royale, but the name was changed to its present one after the French Revolution. What really stands out about this square is the 17th-century French architecture or the famous Louis Xiii architecture. The square was actually built around a couple of pavilions- the Queen’s pavilion to the north and the King’s pavilion to the south.

However, both of these majestic structures are out of bounds for the public and can be viewed from the outside. The public structure that you can visit in this square is the municipal museum, which unbeknownst to many, is of high literary importance. It was once home to Victor Hugo, the author of the famous French novel Les Miserables.

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• Take a stroll around the plaza beneath the arcades enclosing it before relaxing on the lawn of the Louis XIII garden, in the center of it. If you're lucky, you might hear the sounds of a musician who comes to express his love beneath the old arches as you discover a breathtaking tranquility.
• It also developed into the first public strolling area for Parisians seeking peace and tranquility. In a lavish setting, the Place des Vosges is still a very popular destination.
• You will have the opportunity to observe the Hôtel de Sully, which connects the square to the rue Saint-Antoine, at number 7 while strolling beneath the arcades.Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Paris With FamilyCheckout & Book : Tickets to Disneyland Paris

The Paris tourist season may be divided into three parts.

• The best season to visit is undoubtedly between March and May and then again from October to November. During this period of time, the weather is still pleasant, and you can take a stroll around this historical square. You do not even have to wait in long queues at all the monuments and tourist attractions close by.
• Between December and February, the weather is too cold and there may be rain. However, this is when the tickets are at their cheapest!
• June to September is the peak season when the prices are skyrocketing, and there are crowds and queues everywhere. The weather is, however, quite pleasant, and you could take a walk around the park in the evening breeze!

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History of Place des Vosges

The square was the oldest public square designed in Paris and was originally called the Place Royale. It was commissioned between the years 1605 and 1612 by King Henri IV. It was built on the site of an erstwhile royal palace called the Hotel des Tournelles.

When Henri II died here, the palace was raised to the ground. It was purposely made of classical French architecture as a blueprint for future similar projects all over Europe. It was inaugurated in 1612 for announcing the engagement of Louis XII and Anne of Austria.

But this square was unique concerning all the house fronts. They were symmetrical in shape and design, were made of red bricks, and had vaulted arches along the way! Though the two pavilions in the north and south were created for the monarchs, no monarch actually lived here except Anne of Austria.

The terrace of the square was earlier used for equestrian purposes and had a statue of Louis XIII in the center. When the monarch was thrown out in 1792, this bust was taken down and a fountain built in the place.

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Tips for visiting Place des Vosges

• Visit between the months of March and June, when the crowds are less, and the weather is still pleasant. However, be sure to carry an umbrella to brace yourselves for unexpected rain.
• Instead of opting for over-priced food on the terrace of Place des Vosges, go for a picnic on the grass. There are a number of top-notch Jewish bakeries in the neighborhood who sell excellent food for a reasonable price. Pick something up from these for the picnic.
• Make sure to keep some time for a walk around the neighborhood. The square itself is beautiful, but the surroundings have a lot of unique architecture, famous cobbled streets, and designer shops there. The Rosais street is a must-visit for a crash course in the Jewish culture and authentic Jewish cuisine.

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By Train: Take the train from Charles de Gaulle airport terminal 2 to the Saint Michel Notre Dame station. From here, hop on to Bus No 96 to reach the Saint Germain bus station near Place des Vosges. This is the preferred way to reach from the airport to the destination and takes 58 minutes.

By Bus: Take the bus from Paris Aeroport Roissy CDG T2 A/C/D to Paris Gare de Lyon. The whole journey takes about an hour, and this is the cheapest way to travel from the airport to Place des Vosges.

By Taxi: This is the fastest and most expensive route, taking only 29 minutes to reach. If you rent a car and drive yourself or call an Uber, the prices will shoot up even more. The distance between the two is merely 31 km.

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