Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris, located in the Marais district and straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Built between 1605 and 1612 under King Henry IV, it was originally known as Place Royale and was inaugurated in 1612 for the engagement of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria
Historically, the square served as a fashionable residential area for Parisian nobility, and its architectural style influenced later urban planning in Europe. Today, it is surrounded by art galleries, shops, and cafes, and includes Victor Hugo’s former residence, which is now a museum
Interesting fact…
You can find a discreet passage through a small red door beside a jewelry shop in one corner of the square—this leads into a hidden garden that is part of the Hôtel de Sully and connects to Rue Saint-Antoine. This courtyard is usually open to the public