About
Place des Vosges sits in the Marais district of Paris, and it is the city's oldest planned square. Its layout is strikingly symmetrical: a rectangle of red brick and stone, framed on every side by arcades that date from 1612. Walking its perimeter, you pass beneath a continuous covered walkway, with the open lawn and trees of the square at the centre.
What to see and do
- The arcades: the covered walkways are the square's defining feature, and they make a pleasant place to stroll whatever the weather.
- Galleries and boutiques: upscale galleries and shops occupy the ground floors beneath the arches, so browsing is part of the visit.
- Cafés: several cafés line the arcades, good for sitting and watching the square at an unhurried pace.
Planning your visit
Place des Vosges suits a relaxed stop rather than a long list of sights. It works well alongside a wider walk through the Marais, a neighbourhood of narrow streets, historic buildings and independent shops close by. Because the square is a public space, you can come and go freely, and it is equally rewarding to visit in daylight or in the quieter hours of the evening.
If you are deciding whether to go, the answer depends on what you enjoy. For a calm, elegant setting with architecture, good cafés and shopping under historic arches, Place des Vosges is a fitting choice for any day in central Paris.
