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 rising at the center was made from melted cannons after Napoleon's victories. Jewelry shops line the square today, and you often see people pausing at their windows to admire rings and necklaces on display.
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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