Place Vendôme, the historic heart of Paris
The prestigious Place Vendôme, located in the heart of Paris, reveals a past shaped by royalty, revolutions, and elegance. However, this famous square has not always borne this name or had this layout.
In fact, between 1699 and 1702, it was designed under the direction of architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart to house royal buildings and government ministries, initially bearing the name “Place des Conquêtes” to celebrate the victories of Louis XIV. At its center stood a massive equestrian statue of the Sun King. Then came the French Revolution, and the square was renamed “Place des Piques.” The royal statue was toppled and melted down for the war effort. Later, Napoleon I had the famous Vendôme Column erected there, inspired by Trajan’s Column in Rome and topped with his own statue to celebrate the victory at Austerlitz. This monument would weather the upheavals of history, notably its toppling during the Paris Commune in 1871, before being faithfully reconstructed as we know it today.
Today, this magnificent geometric square is world-renowned as the heart of the international fine jewelry industry, home to the greatest luxury houses and the prestigious workshops of Place Vendôme.
