The parisian squares

 

Place Clément

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.

Place Pigalle (Métro : Pigalle)

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.

 

Place Saint-Georges (Métro : Saint-Georges)


Source:
www.parisbalades.com

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 (Métro : Saint-Sulpice)


Source:
www.parisbalades.com

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.

 


Place Vendôme (Métro : Tuileries, Madeleine, Opéra)


Source
:www.parisbalades.com
The place Vendôme Place Vendôme owes its name to the Hotel Vendôme, which was demolished in 1687 to make way for the square. It was only in the beginning of the 19th century (1806-1810) that work commenced, under Napoléon, on the Vendôme Column. 43.5m tall, it was to replace a statue of Liberty, which had been erected during the revolution. On it are represented the principal military feats of the Napoleonic campaigns of 1805 – 1807. On its top there is a statue of Napoleon in the guise of Caesar.

 

Place of the République (Métro:République)


Source:
www.parisbalades.com

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.