The Place des Vosges is a good place to park yourself to contemplate the history of Paris. King Henri IV, who then went on to create the lovely Place Dauphine, had this square built between the years of 1605 and 1612.

Upon completion of the square, the marriage between Louis XIII and Anne of Austria was celebrated here. You can see a painting of this event in the nearby Musee Carnavalet (Museum of the History of Paris). Back then the square was called Place Royale.

The square contains nine houses on each side, made of red brick, laced with stone. Beautiful vaulted arcades, dormers, and slate roofs are the architectural elements that greet the eye. The South side of the square is dominated by the King's Pavilion and the North side, the Queen's.

The harmonious symmetry of line is stunning, as is the fact that these precious four hundred year old edifices have survived the centuries so beautifully.

No royal ever resided here, but famous occupants include:

21 Place des Vosges / Cardinal Richelieu lived here from 1615-1627.

RIchelieu was the First Minister to King Louis XIII and was considered to have held the first office akin to the present-day position of Prime Minister.

1 bis Place des Vosges / Madame de Sevigne was born here in 1626.

Her writings are still in print, which include letters written to her daughter. These letters give one a glimpse into the life of an aristrocrat living in the 17th century.

#6 Place des Vosges / Victor Hugo lived and wrote here from 1832-1848.

Victor Hugo was a French poet, playwright, novelist and very importantly, human rights activist.

His novel, Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) actually shamed the city of Paris into renovating the dilapidated Cathedral de Notre-Dame, under the direction of architect Viollet-le-Duc.

Likewise, Les Miserables decried social injustice, and for its time, was a bold depiction of human misery.

Hugo's house at #6, is today is a museum containing many personal possessions, including his inkwell, and many of his drawings, illustrating his works.

Sit awhile, on the grass in the middle of the square, and dream.

Place des Vosges
4th Arrondisement
Metro: St-Paul

Maison de Victor Hugo
#6 Place des Vosges
4th Arrondisement
Metro: St-Paul
Closed Mondays

www.musee-hugo.paris.fr