The Place Vendôme

If you love French history, architecture, and luxury, you cannot miss this promenade that starts at the hotel, goes up the Rue Saint-Honoré to reach Place Vendôme, then continues to Rue de la Paix, joining the Tuileries Garden. This visit can be a good preview before touring the Palace of Versailles. Place Vendôme, built under Louis XIV, consists of 28 hôtels particuliers, most of which are classified as historical monuments. This masterpiece, characterized by perfect symmetry, is a prime example of classical French architecture and is considered the most luxurious place in the world, home to both French and international fine jewelry.

Place Vendôme and Place des Vosges are the two Royal places in Paris, the first associated with the Sun King, Louis XIV, and the second with Henry IV. Both places exhibit symmetry in their zoning regulations and architectural design. Place Vendôme, like the Palace of Versailles, expresses the grandeur and radiance of the Kingdom of France in the 16th century. Designed in 1865 by the architect Mansart, the octagonal square showcases his expertise. Mansart, the first architect of Louis XIV, designed many parts of the Palace of Versailles, including the Hall of Mirrors, Notre-Dame of Versailles, and the Grand Trianon. His influence extends to other classified buildings like the Château d’Ecouen and the Château de Meudon, and he is credited with inventing the “Mansarde.”

No less than 28 prestigious jewelers are established around Place Vendôme. Boucheron was the first to settle here in 1893, followed by Cartier in 1898, Chaumet in 1902, and Van Cleef & Arpels in 1906. In 1997, Chanel opened a shop dedicated to watchmaking and jewelry, a fitting location since Gabrielle Chanel stayed in Place Vendôme for many years. Legend has it that the square’s shape inspired the famous Numéro 5 bottle. Visitors are encouraged to explore the various shops, where they will be warmly received.

Originally, the square had a statue of Louis XIV at its center, which was destroyed during the 1789 revolution. In 1810, a column topped with a statue of Napoleon I with Caesar’s crown was erected to commemorate the victory of Austerlitz. The statue was replaced in 1830 by one of the same emperor dressed as a “corporal” and later by a copy of the original statue of Napoleon. The column was destroyed in 1871 by the Communards and rebuilt in 1873. The painter Gustave Courbet, held responsible for the column’s destruction, was ordered to pay for its reconstruction. Unable to pay, he fled to Switzerland and died before making any payments.