Place Vendôme, Historical square in 1st arrondissement, France
Place Vendôme is a square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris with matching facades forming an octagonal layout. A 44-meter column stands at the center, surrounded by wide pavements and arched passageways leading to interior courtyards.
The square began construction in 1699 and originally displayed a statue of Louis XIV on horseback. The French Revolution brought its destruction in 1792, and the column replaced it later.
The column's bronze spiral plates were cast from cannon captured at Austerlitz, though sources give wildly different counts, from 180 to 1,200. The square's name comes from the hôtel of César de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme, which once stood on the site. Since the 19th century the surrounding buildings have housed jewelers, and the Ministry of Justice at No. 13 is known by the square's name.
The square is best reached on foot and lies near several metro stations including Opéra and Tuileries. You can walk around the column and explore the arcades along the buildings.
The facades were completed before interiors were built to preserve visual harmony across the entire perimeter. Individual builders were free to design their houses behind the uniform front as they wished.
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