The square is surrounded by several very old houses. At n° 22 on Rue Norvins, a certain Sandrin had a large villa constructed in 1774, which became a resting place in the 19th century, having been occupied by Nerval. Several exhibition spots are very nearby.
The area around the fountain was, near the
end of the 19th century, a model-market for painters such as Manet.
The cabarets of Boulevard de Clichy and Boulevard de Rochechouart
were then frequented by high living pleasure-seekers, dancers
and semi-socialites. The sex-shops that inhabit the area today
are rather shady but attract the crowds as much as ever. At n°
13 (hôtel Royal) there are sculptures of winged horses and
chimeras. The name of the square (and the quarter) come from the
18th century sculptor, Jean-Baptiste Pigalle.
The decoration of the square was shared in 1824. Below, the column is adorned with characters created by the artist Gavarni: a “Pierrot” and a “Lorette”. At the entrance to Rue Saint-Georges, the théâtre Saint-Georges was transformed by Charles Siclis: the naked façade and neutral entrance are supposed to “make the gold, silver and red theatre hall stand out by contrast”. This was the setting for Truffaut’s film Le dernier métro.
Place Saint-Sulpice was established in the 18th century. Today it is hemmed in by a different “power” on each side: the church of Saint-Sulpice, the Hôtel des impôts, the Mairie and the stores. Luxury fashion stores have progressively chased away the smaller merchants selling Saint Sulpice memorabilia.
In 1878, the Municipal Council of Paris, dominated by a radical and socialist alliance, proposed the construction of a monument to the glory of the Republic. The bronze statue of the Republic, 9.5m tall itself, stands atop a pedestal 15.5m tall. The Republic is dressed in a toga from antiquity, leaving one breast bared, wears a strap around her waist and a Phrygian cap upon her head, from which her hair flows down. Her right hand holds an olive branch while her left is leaning on the Pillar of the Law, on which the “Rights of Man” are proclaimed. Liberty, Equality and Fraternity are seated at her feet and the leonine people camp before the Urn of Universal Suffrage.
Make the most of your stay by visiting the museums and monuments. Not to mention around Paris, the boat trips, the bridges, the parks and gardens, the zoos and farms of Paris, the unusual spots, or the operas, where you can stroll around at your ease.