Vosges Square

Place des Vosges is located in the Marais quarter and is included in the list of the oldest squares of the French capital. Square in shape, it is formed by 36 buildings built according to a common plan. On each side of the square there are 9 houses, the facades of which are made in a single style, and the first floors are united by a common arcade. All the buildings on the square have the same dimensions, among them only the pavilions of the king and queen, located on opposite sides of the square, stand out for their dimensions.

A distinctive feature of the buildings on the Place des Vosges is red with white, uncharacteristic of Paris. This is due to the fact that the facades of the houses are faced with white stone and decorative bricks. The first floors are occupied by art galleries, bookstores and antique shops, small cafes. Most of the square is occupied by a fountain and linden alleys. In its center stands the equestrian statue of King Louis XIII.

Until 1799, the name of the square was different, it was called the Royal, because here was once the residence of the French kings - the Palace of Tournel, in which King Henry II was mortally wounded during a knightly tournament. A few years later, the widow of the late king Catherine de Medici, moved to the Louvre, ensured that the palace was destroyed and no longer reminded of the tragedy. Until 1607, the place was empty, then, by order of Henry IV, the square was built here. In 1800, in honor of the fact that the province of Vosges collected the most taxes, the Royal Square was renamed the Place des Vosges.