Place Ducale

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Place Ducale, Renaissance square in Charleville-Mézières, France

The Place Ducale extends 127 meters in length and 90 meters in width, featuring 27 pavilions with symmetrical arches and window arrangements.

Constructed between 1606 and 1624 under Charles I Gonzaga's direction, the square formed the centerpiece of a new geometric town plan for Charleville.

The square functions as the primary venue for the World Puppet Theater Festival, connecting the region's artistic traditions with contemporary performances.

The central location provides access to numerous shops and restaurants beneath covered arcades, with short-term parking spaces available around the perimeter.

Each of the 27 pavilions follows the rule of four with ground floor arches and window arrangements across three upper floors.

Location: Charleville-Mézières

Location: Charleville

Architects: Clément Métezeau

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Pl. Ducale, 08000 Charleville-Mézières, France 08000 Charleville-Mézières

GPS coordinates: 49.77352,4.72089

Latest update: August 27, 2025 17:26

Hidden places of Grand Est: medieval forts, Renaissance castles and forgotten abbeys

The Grand Est displays a rich architectural and military heritage, from fortified structures like the Fort of Mutzig and the La Ferté ouvrage on the Maginot Line, to princely residences such as Château de Lunéville with its French gardens. The region also preserves religious sites like the Abbey of Sturzelbronn in the Vosges forests and the Jesuit College in Reims, founded in the early 17th century. Urban centers feature notable architectural complexes: the Kammerzell House in Strasbourg exemplifies 15th-century Alsatian half-timbered construction, while the Ducal Square in Charleville-Mézières reflects Renaissance urban planning. The Humanist Library in Sélestat holds over 150 medieval manuscripts and ancient books. Technical sites like the old Chappe telegraph tower in Saverne recall early communication history before the electric era. Historic parks, including that of Château de Pange with geometric gardens and stone bridges, offer pathways through centuries of landscape design.

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« Place Ducale: Renaissance square in Charleville-Mézières, France » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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