Place d'Italie, square in Paris, France
Place d'Italie is a large circular square in the 13th arrondissement of Paris measuring approximately 200 meters (656 feet) across. Busy roads surround the area with constant traffic flow, while at its center sits the Jardin Françoise-Giroud, a quiet garden that provides a green refuge amid the activity.
The square was created in 1760 during a period of city expansion on formerly rural land. A simple wooden gate called La Barrière d'Italie, built in the 18th century as a checkpoint for tax collection, marked the spot until it was later removed while the name persisted.
The square connects several different neighborhoods and serves as a gathering point where residents from the Butte aux Cailles, the Asian quarter, and the Gobelins area meet. It functions as a social hub that reflects the diversity of the surrounding communities.
The area is easily reached with several Metro stations nearby and traversed by buses, making it a central transportation hub. Main pathways are clearly marked and the central garden offers rest areas while exploring.
On a side street called Godefroy, a plaque commemorates Chinese statesman Zhou Enlai, who stayed at a small hotel here during his 1920s visit to France. This overlooked connection to Chinese history adds a global dimension to the place beyond its role as a traffic hub.
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