Originally called Place Louis-le-Grand, the Place Vendôme is one of the five royal places in Paris. It was built according to a precise plan, surrounded by houses to serve as a setting for an equestrian statue of the king, in this case Louis XIV, dismantled during the French Revolution.
The Vendôme column was erected in 1810 according to Napoleon’s wish. A statue of him as a Roman emperor crowns the monument.
The bronze column is made from pieces of canons taken from the vanquished enemies. It weighs about 200 metric tons. There’s a staircase inside to reach the top. It’s a monument to the glory of Napoleon’s imperial army. Bas-reliefs represent different military campaigns.
Now the place is a hotspot for jewelry but it’s been associated with the fashion world since the mid-19th century. It’s truly the epicenter of Parisian elegance.
