Place Vendôme
A grand Neoclassical square with a rich history, right in the centre of Paris
Place Vendôme
A grand Neoclassical square with a rich history, right in the centre of Paris
Place Vendôme is a Neoclassical square in central Paris. It is famous for its Vendôme Column (both the square and the monument owe their name to the Hôtel de Vendôme) and for being surrounded by some of the city’s most luxurious and high-end stores.
Place Vendôme is located in the very centre of Paris. With such a position, the square is a popular stop along the routes taken by Paris hop-on hop-off buses. You can get Tootbus tour tickets here and Big Bus tickets here - they are the most reliable companies.
The square was started in 1698 and only completed in 1720, although many of its most famous monuments and surrounding buildings, like the Vendôme Column and the Hôtel Ritz were added years later.
In fact, the square has had somewhat of a tempestuous history, having its name changed several times. Initially, it was known as Place des Conquêtes, then Place Louis-le-Grand, later Place des Piques (during the French Revolution) and Place Internationale. It was only renamed Place Vendôme relatively recently.
The now-famous column in the square is actually a replacement for the earlier monument, a horse statue of Louis XIV, who had commissioned the Place. The statue had been taken down during the French Revolution, but Napoleon saw the absence of a grand monument in the square as a chance to indulge in a hearty portion of self-congratulation.
He thus commissioned the Vendôme Column, inspired by Rome’s Trajan Column to celebrate the victory of Austerlitz . A rather ostentatious and grandiose portrayal of Napoleon himself in Roman attire was placed at the top.
Place Vendôme has today become an emblem of luxury. Luxury hotels and expensive jewellery and haute couture stores occupy the many Hôtels particuliers that surround the square.
Location
1st arrondissement of Paris, just above the Jardin des Tuileries.
Transport
Paris hop-on hop-off buses all stop by Place Vendôme. The most recommendable and popular of these bus companies are Big Bus and Tootbus. You can get a Tootbus hop-on hop-off bus tour here or book a Big Bus tour here .
Otherwise, you can always take public transport, using the following lines.
Nearby sights
Jardin des Tuileries - 300 m (almost 0.2 miles) south, 4-minute walk.
La Madeleine - 600 m (under 0.4 miles) northwest, 8-minute walk.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs - 700 m (a little over 0.4 miles) southeast, 9-minute walk.
Palais Garnier - 700 m (a little over 0.4 miles) north, 9-minute walk.
Place de la Concorde - 750 m (under 0.5 miles) southwest, 10-minute walk.
Louvre Museum - 1 km (0.6 miles) southeast, 12-minute walk.
