neighborhood
Place des Vosges
The oldest square in Paris, inaugurated in 1612, framed by rose-brick pavilions and regular arcades in the heart of the Marais.
History & context
Opened in 1612 under Henri IV, the Place Royale — renamed Place des Vosges in 1800 — is the oldest planned square in Paris.
Its thirty-six brick-and-stone pavilions, built to a strictly symmetrical plan, housed writers and aristocrats; Victor Hugo lived at number 6.
Key facts
- Built
- 1605–1612
- Style
- Louis XIII architecture
- District
- 3rd/4th — Marais
Why visit
- ·The most harmonious architectural ensemble in the Marais
- ·A quiet central garden, open and free
- ·Covered arcades lined with galleries and art studios
What to see
- ·The arcades and their art galleries
- ·Victor Hugo's house
- ·Square Louis-XIII and its lime trees
- ·Hôtel de Sully and its passage to rue Saint-Antoine
Practical tips
- ·The central lawn is a fine lunch stop
- ·The discreet Hôtel de Sully passage saves a detour by the street
- ·A good starting point for exploring the Marais
Best photo spots
- ·Under the arcades, shot lengthwise for strong perspective lines
- ·From the garden, the aligned red-brick façades
Good to know
- ·The central garden closes at night; the arcades stay walkable
- ·The arcades give good shelter from rain: handy in bad weather
- ·You can cross the square in a few minutes towards the heart of the Marais
Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.
Anu's insider tip
Enter via rue de Birague: the passage under the King's Pavilion reveals the square all at once.
With family
The central garden, with its benches and lawn, is a good break between two Marais visits.
Nearby
Le Marais
A historic aristocratic quarter turned trendy heart of Paris, mixing mansions and boutiques.
Centre Pompidou
A bold architectural icon by Piano and Rogers, home to Europe's largest modern art museum.
Île de la Cité
Historical cradle of Paris in the middle of the Seine, the founding site of Lutetia.