Place Vendôme visitor guide

Visit Place Vendôme, Paris

The Place Vendôme is an important and historic square in the centre of Paris, about 300 metres to the south-west of the Palais Garnier along the Rue de la Paix, and in the First Arrondissement of Paris.

The square takes its name from the Hôtel de Vendôme, an imposing townhouse that once stood in this location and was demolished to make space for Place Vendôme. Originally the square was called the Place Louis-le-Grand and had a large statue of King Louis XIV (the Sun King) on a horse in the centre of the square. This name was changed after the Revolution.

Discover the Place Vendôme

France This Way review: the Place Vendôme is one of the most important squares in Paris, and also one of the most impressive because of the architecture around the square, and we recommend you pass through the square as you explore Paris

The architecture around the square is in the neo-classical style following a plan that was developed in 1699. The appearance of the square today is very similar to its original appearance, and almost symmetrical on its four sides.

You will notice how well maintained and clean the square is, and the immaculate condition of the buildings around the edges. This square, along with the Rue de la Paix, have been a centre for expensive shops since the 19th century, originally mostly clothes shops and now mostly jewellery and watch shops, and several leading jewellery stores now have their flagship stores in the square, including Cartier. The Paris Ritz hotel is also in this square.

The bronze column in the centre of the Place Vendome, called the Colonne Vendôme, commemorates the victories of Napoleon - in particular the Battle of Austerlitz. At 44 metres tall, the column is taller than the obelisk in the Place de la Concorde, and based on the design of Trajan's Column in Rome.

Built in the years before 1810, there is a statue of the Emperor at the top of the column, which is entirely covered in relief carvings that spiral from the top to the bottom. The bronze that was used for the carvings was from cannons that had been seized by Napoleon from the Russian and Austrian armies.

The column was knocked over in 1871 as part of the uprising known as the Commune of Paris, and later re-erected.

There is no metro station in the Place Vendôme, but several are close by, including Pyramides station on Avenue de l'Opéra (metro lines 7 et 14), Tuileries station on Rue de Rivoli (metro line 1), and Madeleine station, next to the Eglise de la Madeleine (metro lines 8, 12 et 14).

Attractions nearby

You have famous sights and attractions in all directions from the Place Vendome, including the Opera Garnier to the north-east, the Eglise de la Madeleine to the north-west, the Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre to the south, all in easy walking distance.

You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.

To make travel arrangements to visit Place Vendôme see HERE