Place Vendôme

Jules Hardouin-Mansart
begun 1698



Begun during the reign of Louis XIV, this example of city-planning is a rectangular space (a city square is "place" in French) with residences for the wealthy along the sides but with cut-off or beveled corners. The square is closed except for two openings, which form the main axis. The hip roof and pilasters continue along all the sides except for the cut-off corners and the centers of the long sides which have classical pediments and engaged columns.

View toward the opening at one of the short ends of the rectangular "Square"

 
Originally an equestrian statue of the king occupied the center of the "square."

The "Square" with the Vendôme Column

 

Details of the facades

 



See also his Church of the Invalides and Place des Vosges, another example of early urban planning.

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