Friday, February 17, 2012

The most beautiful place in Paris?


Not far from the Bistrot Vivienne where I was yesterday, there is La Place des Victoires, which is to me the most beautiful place in Paris (with the Place des Vosges maybe...). It has an interesting history too: it was inaugurated in 1686 and was then dedicated to the victories of Louis the XIVth. About a hundred years later, the statue of Louis was taken down by some angry revolutionaries(!) and was melted to make guns! In 1810 a new statue (the one of General Desaix) was put in place in the center, but since it would show the general in the nude, it was removed and replaced by... one of Henry the IVth on a horse (the one you can see in this photo)! More on Wikipedia if you're interested!

29 comments:

  1. It is beautiful. I predict a lively discussion in the next 24 hours as the PDPers cast their votes for the most beautiful place in Paris! My vote is for the view of the back of Notre Dame from the Ile St. Louis, at night. Sigh....

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  2. It is kind of like asking which is the most beautiful woman. The blond, brunette or redhead? The tall one or the short one? The thin one or the statuesque one? How about if I agree that it is indeed beautiful. Superlatives are for someone else.

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  3. nice capture Eric- I love the color of the sky in this.

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  4. It is the most beautiful place in Paris! But Paris has so many "most beautiful places."

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  5. I've not been to Paris so I don't know if it's the MOST beautiful, but I agree that it IS beautiful. But, wouldn't it be more so without that yellow sign on the building? It's a shame when great looking buildings are ruined by ugly signs. It happens here all the time.

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  6. I don't think I've ever passed through here at night - it is beautiful. My vote for the most beautiful place in Paris is the Trocadero at night with all the golden statues, and the Eiffel Tower at the forefront twinkling away at the top of the hour!

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  7. The Wikipedia article is very interesting. I always enjoy your blog.

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  8. This is ONE of the most beautiful places in Paris. I agree there's a lot of "most beautiful places".
    What I really like about La Place des Victoires is the oval shape and the buildings surrounding it so beautifully.
    I really like this photo with the real Parisien colours.

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  9. Ah. Beautiful.
    Every time I see this place I am reminded of Juliette Binoche in Paris Je Taime. Heartbreaking.
    I can almost hear the clip clop of horse hooves....

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  10. How ironic! On Thursday, yesterday, we went to a lecture on the French silk weavers hosted at Petrelle,#5 place des Victoires. You would never know it was there. They have been in business since the 1600's and do silk weaving for top designers like Jack Garcia and for the French govt to redo silks for places like Malmaison and Versailles....since the company did them in the first place!
    We arrived too early, so the lecturer told us to have a coffe in the neighborhood....and I said at Vivienne? She said "Yes,do you live here?". He he heeee.

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  11. I have not been on the square for a long time, and practically every independent boutique is GONE, replaced by the ubiquitous chain!!!

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  12. The statue of Louis was taken down by some angry revolutionaries and was melted to make guns.Really it is amazing photo shared on the site. In this photo so very nice and interesting so that can be know that and enjoy it in this site and photo.

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  13. I literally found this by accident on my last trip to Paris. I was taking an evening stroll on a truly beautiful summer evening, wandered a few blocks (we tried to dine at Bistrot Vivienne I'm sure, but my son needed to eat too early and we couldn't). It's a gorgeous square. I've seen it in movies since too.

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  14. Risky subject on PDP today :)
    For me the most beautiful place in Paris:
    Canal Saint-Martin, by Rue de Crimee...I remember Eric, you had a nice photo from a restaurant window overlooking the canal...

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  15. Oops, Petrelle is the name of a restaurant in Paris that I have been to !! Prelle is the name of the fabric company.
    We live on canal St Martin, Martin!!!!

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  16. I must say that having never physically been to Paris, I cannot tell you the most beautiful places, but for me, it would have to include the Eiffel Tower! :)

    This is a nice shot, Eric! Love the light you have brought us lately.

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  17. <3
    This is another photo with the -Parisian Light-,which I adore.

    Praying every night for visiting Paris is a difficult job,but I get inspired and motivated when I see places like these ones on your blog!

    P.S.
    Does this place has any trees in around? :)

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  18. It is a very pretty place. Even though vehicles can drive into and around it, it was somehow relatively peaceful, not loud and busy, when I've walked through it.

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  19. It might qualify for most beautiful except for that very steep hill ;-)

    I vote for Place Vendome, especially at Christmas!

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  20. "...the general in the nude...." Funny story Eric. Merci for sharing your photo. :)

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  21. Just read the link which you kindly provided Eric. it appears that the statue is of Louis XIV.
    Apparently old General Deshabille was melted down for the statue of Henry IV which is at the Pont Neuf.

    This is a beautiful Place but the Place des Vosges gets my vote.

    So it's a case of your Place or mine then?

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  22. I've thought so for a looong time—since the '60s, when it was ringed by one chic little independent shop after another (guess they can't afford the rent there now). Anyway, you've captured it beautifully, Eric!

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  23. a general in the nude? Why on earth?!!! That's funny. I can imagine what his army would look like ;)

    I didn't know the statue had been removed so many times. I used to go Place des Victoires from time to time when I was a kid because my Dad worked nearby. It was very tranquil, away from all the hustle and bustle (spell?). Looks like it still is. There was not much going on, at the time either, but I remember the fur shop and the catholic artifact store, and watching people (bonnes soeurs, mostly) go in and out.

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  24. However, I must respectfully disagree about it being the "most beautiful place in Paris."

    If you asked me what the most beautiful place in Paris is, I wouldn't be able to choose. It's like asking what is the best movie ever made.. there are just so many and the answer would be highly subjective... Tomate Farcie

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  25. I'm a little slow, but I think Eric meant Place versus place. Like Place de Vosges, Place des Victoires, Place Victor Hugo and not places like the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre, etc...

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  26. If you see from the photography point of view what Eric meant was that this picture has a lot of detail which needs to be focused as seen & felt by the photographer.

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  27. This is very beautiful place shared in the Paris so that can be know that and enjoy it in this place. There are very visiting and enjoyable place shared on the site.

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  28. Nice sharing friend. This place is very beautiful in Paris. I visit in Paris before my Grand grand canyon tour from las vegas. It has various places for visiting. The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, Sacre- Coeur, Arc de Triomphe and the Pantheon are some visiting points of Paris.

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