Place Vendôme is not just one of Paris`s many famous squares. It is an ultra-elegant, enclosed world where history, art, and luxury are woven together into a beautiful architectural ensemble. This is a place where one can feel the spirit of Paris`s "Golden Triangle" – the district of the most expensive boutiques and hotels.
History and Conception
The history of the square begins at the end of the 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV. The king had a dual goal: to create a monumental square that would glorify his reign and the power of the French monarchy, and to provide land for the construction of palaces for the nobility and various state institutions, including the royal library and academies.
Initial Project (1699): The project was entrusted to Jules Hardouin-Mansart, a genius of the classicism era, author of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. He conceived the square in the form of a rectangle with cut corners, surrounded by majestic facades in a uniform style. A equestrian statue of Louis XIV was intended for the center.
Financial Bubble: Construction was financed through the sale of perimeter land plots to aristocrats on the condition that they erect buildings according to a single, approved design. However, the project proved too expensive, and in 1699 the city bought back the land and the unfinished buildings.
Transformation: In the early 18th century, the square was completed. Its urban ensemble, as we know it today, was finished by Mansart`s nephew. It became the benchmark of French classicism – strict, harmonious, and imposing.
Architecture: The Flawless Harmony of Classicism
The architecture of Place Vendôme is its main attraction. The ensemble gives an impression of complete integrity and harmony.
Plan: The square has the shape of a perfect rectangle with cut corners (an octagon), which creates interesting visual perspectives.
Facades: The buildings forming the perimeter are designed in a uniform style. Their ground floors are designed as monumental arcades, creating a rhythmic play of light and shadow. The second and third floors are adorned with pilasters and pediments, and the mansard roofs, characteristic of French architecture, are pierced with elegant dormer windows.
Sense of Measure: The lack of ostentation and excess, inherent in later styles, makes the square incredibly elegant. Everything here is subordinated to strict order and proportions, which is the essence of classicism.
The Vendôme Column: A Monument that Changed Symbolism
In the center of the square rises its most famous object – the Vendôme Column (Colonne Vendôme).
History of Creation: Initially, as planned, an equestrian statue of Louis XIV stood here, which was destroyed during the French Revolution. The column was erected by order of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810 in honor of the victory of his Grande Armée at the Battle of Austerlitz (1805).
Architectural Solution: The 44-meter high column was consciously modeled on Trajan`s Column in Rome. It was a triumphal column, intended to symbolize the power of the Napoleonic empire and place it on a par with the great empires of the past.
Unique Cladding: The most striking feature of the column is its cladding. It is covered with 425 bronze bas-relief plates, which were cast from 1,200 captured Austrian and Russian cannons taken at Austerlitz. The spiral of bas-reliefs, created by the sculptor Bergeret, depicts scenes from the 1805 military campaign.
Crowning the Column: A statue of Napoleon, dressed in the toga of a Roman emperor. Interestingly, the original statue was replaced, and today Napoleon is depicted in his famous bicorne hat.
What Makes the Square Interesting for Tourists Today?
Temple of High Fashion and Jewelry Art: Today, the ground floors of the square`s buildings house boutiques of the world`s most prestigious jewelry and watch brands: Cartier, Boucheron, Chanel, Bulgari, and others. Even if shopping is not part of the plan, the window displays here resemble works of art, and a walk under the arcades is an immersion into a world of unparalleled style and luxury.
The Legendary Hôtel Ritz: At number 15 is the world-famous Hôtel Ritz Paris. Founded in 1898, it became a symbol of Parisian chic. Many celebrities stayed and worked here: from Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway (after whom a bar is named) to Princess Diana. The hotel is not just a place to stay, but part of Paris`s cultural code.
Ministry of Justice: On the other side of the square, at number 13, is the building of the French Ministry of Justice. This contrast underscores that the square has always been a place where the financial, political, and aristocratic elites intersected.
Photogenicity and Atmosphere: The ideal proportions of the square, its precise symmetry, and the elegant column make it a paradise for photographers. It is especially beautiful at sunset, when the golden light falls on the column`s bronze bas-reliefs, or in the evening when the lights are turned on.
Place Vendôme offers a successful combination of history, architecture, and modern luxury. Here you can see the famous column, stroll past the windows of expensive boutiques, and feel the atmosphere of one of Paris`s most famous locations. It is a must-visit point for those who want to get a complete impression of the city.
