Place des Clercs, Historic square in central Valence, France
Place des Clercs is a pedestrian square in the old center of Valence that links two other public spaces and houses shops and restaurants along its edges. The open area allows visitors to move freely between places to eat, shop, and visit the adjacent cathedral.
The square developed in the fifth century as part of the bishop's quarter and became a hub for commerce and justice in Valence. This early importance set the foundation for its role as a central meeting place that continues today.
The Cathedral of Saint Apollinaire sits beside the square, shaping how people experience this public space as a place where religious and everyday life meet. The location has long served as a gathering point where locals pass through on their way to shops and cafés, blending commerce with spiritual presence.
The square hosts shops and restaurants during the week, but on Saturday mornings a food market brings vendors selling regional products and local specialties to the space. Arriving early offers the best selection before items sell out during the day.
In 1755, the public execution of French bandit leader Louis Mandrin drew roughly six thousand spectators to the square. This dramatic event marks the place as witness to a moment that shaped the city's story.
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