Place de Catalogne, Pedestrian square and zone in the 14th arrondissement, Paris, France
Place de Catalogne is a pedestrian square and zone in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, located near the Montparnasse station, and is defined by semicircular building facades that frame the space on several sides. The square was redesigned in recent years, with car lanes replaced by bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and added benches and trees.
Place de Catalogne was laid out in the late 20th century as part of a broader urban development project in the southern part of the 14th arrondissement. Before its recent redesign, it was largely a concrete roundabout without greenery, built mainly to manage car traffic.
The Place de Catalogne takes its name from the Spanish region of Catalonia, a nod to the long ties between France and that part of the Iberian Peninsula. The curved building facades that wrap around the square are the most noticeable feature for anyone passing through, giving the space a look unlike most Paris squares.
The square is best explored on foot and sits just a short walk from Montparnasse station, making it easy to reach from a central point in the city. The street Vercingétorix offers one of the better views of the buildings around the square and is worth a short detour.
Although the Place de Catalogne is now seen as a green space, it was almost entirely paved concrete until a few years ago, with almost no plants or seating. The change happened within a relatively short period and is pointed to in Paris as a concrete example of turning a traffic-focused junction into a people-centered space.
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