Place des Vosges is a planned square of brick-and-stone façades, arcades, and a central garden. Begun under Henri IV in 1605 and completed in 1612, it has served as royal stage, revolutionary landmark, writers’ address, and public city garden.
Quick facts
Construction of the Place Royale began in 1605 under Henri IV and was completed in 1612 under Louis XIII.
A three-day carousel was held at Place Royale from April 5 to 7, 1612, for the double royal betrothals linking France and Spain.
The current marble equestrian statue of Louis XIII replaced a bronze statue installed in 1639; the replacement was erected in 1829.
Get directions to Place des Vosges. Confirm the visitor entrance and current access with the venue before travelling.
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The square’s strongest feature is its repetition. Thirty-six brick-and-stone pavilions set beneath slate roofs form a measured frame around the central garden. At ground level, arcades create a continuous sheltered walk. The brick, pale stone, tall rooflines, and repeated bays are not just a pleasing pattern: they reveal a place designed as one composition rather than a collection of unrelated houses.
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