Place du Préfet-Claude-Érignac, Pedestrian square in Auteuil, Paris, France
The place du Préfet-Claude-Érignac is a small pedestrian square in the Auteuil neighborhood of the 16th arrondissement of Paris, circular in shape and about 30 meters (100 feet) across. It sits between a primary school and a police station, surrounded by residential buildings with stone facades and balconies.
The square was inaugurated on January 15, 2004, and named after Claude Érignac, the French prefect of Corsica who was killed in 1998. Its opening brought together senior officials including Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë and then Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy.
The square was designed by artist Jakob Gautel, chosen by the Érignac family, giving it a personal touch rarely found in public spaces. Its circular shape sets it apart from the rectangular layout typical of most Parisian squares.
The square is easy to reach on foot from Ranelagh station on metro line 9, just a short walk away. Since it is a pedestrian-only area with no shops or seating, it fits best as a stop during a walk through the Auteuil neighborhood.
A blue plaque bearing Érignac's name is the only visible marker in the space, with no statues or monuments present. This restrained approach was a deliberate choice, reflecting the wishes of his family when the space was designed.
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