Pavillon du Roi, Royal mansion in Place des Vosges, Paris, France
Pavillon du Roi is a structure at the northern end of Place des Vosges featuring a brick and stone facade. Three arcades supported by Doric pilasters create the main visual feature, with the ground floor opening onto Rue de Birague.
Built between 1605 and 1607 during Henri IV's reign, this pavilion was designed as a residence for the royal concierge rather than the king. It stood at the entrance of the newly created Place des Vosges as part of the square's original plan.
Inside, painted decorations from the 17th century display rosettes, angels, and floral patterns in brown and ochre tones. These details show how artists of that time decorated private royal spaces with care and skill.
The ground floor connects to Rue de Birague, creating a passage between Place des Vosges and Rue Saint-Antoine that pedestrians can use. Note that the building is privately owned, so interior access is not available to the public.
This building rises noticeably higher than surrounding structures, dominating the skyline of Place des Vosges with its three stories plus an additional pavilion roof. Its height makes it a distinctive exception among the otherwise uniform architecture of the square.
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