Place Dauphine, located on the western tip of the Île de la Cité in Paris, is a historic triangular square commissioned by King Henri IV in 1607. Named after his son, the Dauphin (future Louis XIII), it was designed as a commercial and residential space with uniform facades around a triangular layout. This marked one of Paris’ earliest examples of planned urbanism, following the completion of the Pont Neuf bridge nearby.
The land previously housed orchards and gardens but was transformed into a bustling center for merchants, artisans, and tradespeople. Unlike other royal projects like Place des Vosges, Place Dauphine catered to commoners rather than the elite. Over time, it became a hub for science, culture, and commerce.
During the French Revolution, it was renamed Place Thionville but reverted to its original name in 1814. The square suffered damage during the Paris Commune fires of 1871 but retained its charm through restoration efforts