Friday, August 24, 2012

Place des Vosges


The Place des Vosges is probably one of the “absolutely not to miss” place when visiting Paris. It’s really beautiful and well-kept and everything and though I find it extremely hard to photograph (see previoius attempts here, here and here)! This time I tried a close up (left hand side when you head North) which is not too bad. The deep blue sky helps! For the records, the Place des Vosges was constructed under Henri IV from 1605 to 1612 and is located partly in the 3rd and party in the 4th arrondissement. It consists of 36+ red bricks and white stones houses.

17 comments:

  1. I agree with you, Eric - this is a great place to visit. The last time I was at Place des Vosges, we toured Victor Hugo's former home there, and then had an amazing lunch at one of the outdoor restaurants in the interior of the square.

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  2. Place des Voges was the first place I visited in Paris on my first full day there. It was drizzling and I sitting on a bench taking in my surroundings when I heard behind me Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I thought the music must be coming from a sound system of some sort, but no. There behind me, under the overhang of a building was a 14 piece orchestra. It was beautiful, and to me music is always a part of Paris whether it's Vivaldi, an old gentleman with an according, or a steel drum competition on the bank of the Seine. Thanks for the memory...and the beautiful picture.

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  3. My fantasy address in Paris....how amazing it must be to live there.t

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  4. Beautiful facade in deed. The brick layout looks rather unusual.

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  5. one of my favourite place in Paris..after Montmatre..
    merci Eric, for waking up my memories..LOL

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  6. I agree—this beautiful square is very hard to photograph, but I think you've done a great job here. Makes me wish I was there right now, having a late meal at Ma Bourgogne!

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  7. Beautiful! Just the pick me up I needed after a long day at work. I showed someone my favorites from PDP yesterday and they were head over heels for your photos, Eric. Just wanted you to know! Merci.

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  8. J'aime Place des Voges! I agree: not to miss. A day wandering through the 3rd must include a rest here. (Before or after the Musee Picasso or the Musee Carnavalet.)

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  9. My motto is never listen to a flight attendant but here goes . I think I remember on a tour that one building belonged to the Queen and the other building facing it on the opposite side of the square, belonged to the King. That arrangement keeps the divorce at bay.

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  10. It may be pretty but...

    Back in the 50s this was a working class neighbourhood with ordinary shops in the arcades around the Place. Like so much of Paris, it's been gradually gentrified, property prices have soared and the original residents have been pushed out to les banlieues. :(

    Enough of the social commentary :) For a while Maigret lived at 21 Place des Vosges.

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  11. Red Cardinal: the 'original' residents were the royalty and very wealthy. Apparently, Place des Vosges has had its property value ups and downs.

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  12. Jeff, good point! My use of the word "original" wasn't very accurate was it?

    However, that correction not withstanding :) my point about it being gentrified still stands I think, along with many other parts of Paris.

    Sadly, that seems to be the case with many cities :(

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  13. What would the price of a small living space be? Outrageously expensive, I'm sure, but it would be interesting for a day or two (Until the bill came!)

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  14. i've put it on the list. i'll be there in just two weeks.

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