By Marie Amelie Marchal
Published on 3 Apr 21 at 9:22
–
Nestled in the heart of Paris, the Place des Vosges was called, until 1800 Place Royale. After having taken several names in succession, why did the oldest square in the capital end up being called that way?
Many name changes throughout history
Emerged from the ground in 1612 and designed by the architect Louis Métezeau, the square was inaugurated during the engagement of King Louis XIII and Anne of Austria under the name of Place Royale. During the Revolution, it was successively renamed “place des Fédérés”, “place du Parc-d’Artillerie”, “place de la Fabrication-des-Armes” and “place de l’Indivisibilité”.
But if in 1800 it took the name of “Place des Vosges”, it is in honor of the Lorraine region. While in 1799 the state had to replenish its coffers, the Consulate had asked the departments to pay their taxes and arrears. The Vosges having been the first to pay these taxes, he is thus thanked by the attribution of his name to the place located in the Marais.
A second place for the Vosges in France
Another notable fact, the Place des Vosges has a “twin sister” in Charleville-Mezieres (Ardennes): the Place Ducale, built between 1606 and 1624 by the architect Clément Métezeau, brother of Louis Métezeau at the origin of the Parisian square.
Prestigious, Place des Vosges has housed many personalities in its red brick pavilions with chains of white limestone. Among the latter are the Marquise de Sévigné, Colette, Victor Hugo, Isadora Duncan and Théophile Gauthier.
–
