Place Victor Hugo, Pedestrian square and zone in Saint-Denis, France
Place Victor Hugo is a pedestrian square and street in the center of Saint-Denis, a city just north of Paris. The space is paved with stone, lined with trees, and bordered by buildings of various ages that house small shops and cafes.
The square grew as a market in the Middle Ages along the main route leading to the basilica of Saint-Denis, and was then called Place Panetière. In the late 18th century it was renamed Place d'Armes and became a gathering point for civic events, including during the French Revolution.
The square was once known as Place Panetière, a name that comes from the bread sellers who traded there in the Middle Ages. That history as a market and meeting point is still reflected in the way people naturally gather here today.
The square is easy to reach on foot and sits close to several streets that connect to the rest of Saint-Denis. A visit pairs well with a walk to the nearby basilica, which is only a few minutes away.
The square holds a monument to the victims of slavery, shaped as a sphere covered with medallions that each represent a year of the colonial slavery era. Many visitors do not expect to find this kind of memorial here, and it gives the square a weight that goes beyond everyday use.
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