Place Saint-Germain des Prés, Pedestrian zone in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, France
Place Furstemberg is a small pedestrian zone in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood in Paris's 6th arrondissement. It is a narrow cobblestone space surrounded by buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, with classic Parisian facades and wrought iron balconies.
The square was built on the former stables of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which is why it was once called 'Cour des écuries'. It was later named after Guillaume-Egon de Fürstenberg, a German cardinal who lived in the area in the late 17th century.
The square draws photographers and walkers alike, largely because of the four paulownia trees surrounding the old central lamp post. Depending on the season, the trees change the whole feel of the space, from leafy green in spring to bare and open in winter.
The square is best reached on foot, as it sits within a tight network of narrow streets that are largely inaccessible by car. Visiting in the early morning or evening is a good idea, as the space is much less crowded at those times.
The name of the square is spelled differently depending on the language: 'Furstemberg' in French and often 'Furstenberg' in English. This variation goes back to the original spelling of the family name of the cardinal after whom the place was named.
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