Constructed by Louis XIV to serve as a grandiose square that would embody absolute power in the very heart of Paris, what is now known as Place Vendôme (Vendome Square) has honored different people and events over the centuries. The space highlights what it can mean for an area to create an identity that is tied into the culture of an entire country while also defining a monument that attracts audiences of all types.
From King Louis XIV to Napoleon to the Paris Commune
Built in 1686 by order of the French King Louis XIV, the square originally was called Louis le Grand and featured an equestrian statue that represented the king. During the French Revolution in 1792, this statue was destroyed and a column was erected by Napoleon in 1810. The Colonne Vendôme was made out of 1,200 cannons that were taken from the Austrian and Russian armies after the Grande Armée of Napoleon won the battle in Austerlitz. The bas-reliefs on the column represent the exploits of the Grande Armée and the battle scenes they fought.
The Colonne Vendôme was capped with a statue of Napoleon himself. That statue was removed and the bronze was melted down afer the Bourbon Restoration in 1815. A new statue was installed in 1833 which was was eventually replaced. It was erected by Napoleon III and depicts Napoleon I as a Roman emperor. During the Paris Commune in 1871 a decision was made to dismantle the column, although the plates were preserved.
After the Paris Commune was suppressed, a decision was made to rebuild the column with a new statue of Napoleon up top. In 1874, the column was re-erected at the center of Place Vendôme with a copy of the original statue on top. That sense of history has impacted the creation of an identity that has made Place Vendôme essential to residents and visitors of Paris.
Luxury and Beyond
The world’s great jewelry brands have turned Place Vendôme and the adjoining Rue de la Paix into one continuous stream of window displays filled with sparkling diamonds, rubies and emeralds. That identity of luxury extends to other establishments in the area which include Hotel Ritz and Hotel Vendôme, two of the most famous hotels in Paris.
Notable residents of the Place Vendôme have included Frédéric Chopin and Coco Chanel. Additionally, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald have been just a few of the guests that have resided in the area. Many famous dress designers have also had their salons in the square while some of the biggest brands in the world utilize it as a place to showcase their advertising messages.
This notoriety has created an identity that has defined Place Vendôme for both residents and visitors to create a legacy that everyone can experience.
A Top Highlight of Paris
Place Vendôme is a top highlight of Paris, featured in various guides and included on countless tours of the city. Like other squares that are historically significant but have also created an identity that various businesses and entire cities can utilize, Place Vendôme highlights what it can mean for a space to turn into a monument that is about far more than the history and identity it has come to represent.
