An early urban planning marvel. Built for the King as a place to joust and have festivals, with a real estate speculation of townhouses for the elite. Magnificent pavilions on all 4 sides with gateways out. Arcades that house great shops and cafes and a couple of elegant restaurants. And a statue of the King in the middle with a fountain. You can sit on the grass and have a picnic, or go to the Victor Hugo Museum because he lived here. Just superb.

Place des Vosges is a nice spot to sit in the park, admire the buildings - including the facades of the Royal Apartments, and get something to eat/drink. There's a tucked away garden on the southwestern end of the square-accessible during limited times, and there's also Victor Hugo's house - with a museum and even the room when he passed away. Most tourists tend to transit through here, but it's a nice spot to sit and relax for a bit with plenty of restaurants to choose from. There's a mix of locals here as well, and it gets busier on weekends. It's in the middle of the Marais, so an easy place to see when touring or walking the area.

Originally known as Place Royale, Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris. It was built by Henri IV between 1605 and 1612. The square was renamed Place des Vosges after the French Revolution in tribute to the north-east region of Vosges, bordering Germany and Luxembourg, which was the first to pay taxes imposed by the new government. It is located in the historic and picturesque Le Marais district, not far from the Bastille. It should be included on your visit as it is a seriously beautiful and elegant square. It was a very fashionable and expensive square to live in during the 17th and 18th centuries, and one of the main reasons for the chic nature of Le Marais among the Parisian nobility. Place des Vosges epitomises the classic French style and is a unique example of graceful seventeenth century architecture. Originally the terrace was covered with sand to allow aristocrats to indulge in equestrian exercises. A statue of Louis XIII was erected in the square but was destroyed in 1792 and was replaced by an octagonal fountain. Place des Vosges is structured around two pavilions, that of the Queen at the north part of the square, and that of the King at the south part. They are not open to the public. It is one of the most beautiful squares in Paris, and for that reason alone you should visit. Take a stroll under the graceful arches which are almost continuous around the entire square. Walk along the paths of the central garden, taking time to see the various equestrian statues and the beautiful fountain in the centre of the square. Stop awhile to admire the beautiful and almost symmetrical facades of red brick. Explore the myriad of quirky little boutiques and art galleries, and perhaps pause awhile and enjoy a coffee or some food at the various cafes and restaurants which spill out under the arches. I think a leisurely walk around the square is one of the most quiet and romantic walks in Paris. Your stroll here will be steeped in history and nostalgia. It should not be missed on a visit to Paris. Combine it with a thorough exploration of Le Marias District which the square adjoins, and the nearby Place de la Bastille, and you’ll have a lovely little excursion in Paris.

A lovely square in the centre of the Marais District. It is well laid out but can be very busy with students. There are many shops adjacent to purchase a picnic but in my view there are better parks and places to relax in Paris

This tiny square in Paris is a GEM. Bring a picnic lunch. We brought a demi bottle of champagne (Tattinger) and had a sandwich and creme brulee. It was lovely... I would recommend this to ANYONE... please go visit here.

Went to the Marais on a Saturday after going early morning to the Louvre. Lunch at Le Mistral then a fantastic walk to this magnificent square. It is such a pleasant spot in Paris with great architecture on display. A quick stop off on that walk at the beautiful Archives Building. We had a drink at the corner cafe at Place Des Vosges. I had a calvados and watched the world walk by. We met a wonderful Brazilian family there from a small island. A top day.

When strolling from La Bastille to the Marais we enjoyed this beautiful square very much. Nice and busy park in the middle with lovely fountains and plenty of trees for shadow. Surrounded by beautiful buildings, très joli, very nice.

A serene, uncrowded, green space framed by an attractive 17th century arcade in the middle of the busy Marais district of Paris. Lovely for a picnic or coffee break, some people watching, reading or even a brief snooze. Makes for a great meeting spot. Centrally located in the Marais with several museums (Carnavalet, Picasso, Cognacq-Jay, Archives Nationales) nearby. Easy walk from the St Paul or Bastille metro. Lots of shops, cafes, restaurants and grocery stores in the neighborhood. St Paul church, place de la Bastille, Eglise Blanc-Manteaux and the Jewish Quarter, all worthy diversions, are moments away.

Our Paris Greeters tour guide finished our walk near here on our first morning in Paris. Quiet green space surrounded by very expensive real estate, a quadrangle with 9 terrace houses on each side. We bought picnic provisions from a nearby market and ate lunch sitting on the grass. Nice start to our trip.