Place De La Concorde In Paris, A Trip To The Past
The Plaza de la Concorde is one of the most important and emblematic of the city of lights. Knowing it is almost mandatory, in addition to that while you go through it you can feel as if you were traveling to the past. Join us for this exciting journey through this spectacular Parisian square.
The Place de la Concorde is without doubt one of the most important in France. In fact, it is the second largest square in the country, second only to the Quinconces square, located in Bordeaux.
The history of the Place de la Concorde
To know the Place de la Concorde is to delve into the history of Paris. The origin of this square dates back to the year 1748, when it was decided to erect an impressive equestrian statue of King Louis XV, to celebrate the recovery of his health.
This tribute required a square worthy of a king, so a contest was held in order to find who would design the best location. A total of 19 architects participated in this competition, some of great importance such as Soufflot and Boffrand.
One of the architects, Ange-Jacques Gabriel, proposed what was known as the “Bridge Esplanade”, which consisted of a simple and large esplanade without any special design. It would be located on the edge of the famous Tuileries garden, exactly where an old wooden bridge was located that skirted the garden terraces.
Even before accepting this project, the necessary arrangements were made with the different owners of the surrounding land, in order to make this great project in honor of the king a reality. It was not until 1753 when a new competition began, this time for the organization of the esplanade and only reserved for members of the Royal Academy of Architecture.
Finally, the director of the Academy, and the king’s first architect, is the one who establishes a project that proposes to gather the best ideas of all the competitors, which is accepted in 1755. The square was built between 1757 and 1779 and its name in a It was originally the Plaza de Luis XV.
Place de la Concorde and the Revolution
The Place de la Concorde became one of the most emblematic points during all the events that led to the famous French Revolution. In 1792, the equestrian statue of Louis XV was demolished and melted down, later the square is renamed the “square of the Revolution”.
During the French Revolution this square was the scene of many bloody episodes. More than 1,000 people were killed in the “Plaza de la Revolución” through a guillotine installed in it. In fact, it was in this place that the kings of France Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed.
After such bloody episodes, and after the restoration of order, the government decides to rename the square again, this time with the name of “Plaza de la Concordia”, which it retains to this day.
Place de la Concorde today
The appearance of the Place de la Concorde today originates between 1836 and 1840, when it was decided to place in the center of it a gigantic obelisk with more than 3,000 years old, donated by the viceroy of Egypt.
In the surroundings of the obelisk you can see two extraordinary fountains, which are in themselves a true work of art. The fountains are Roman in structure and have beautiful carved figures of human beings and marine animals.
The square is almost completely open, except for only one side, where two of the oldest buildings in the city are located. They are today the headquarters of the Ministry of the Navy and the luxurious Hotel de Crillon.
In addition to its interesting history, the Place de la Concorde is extremely beautiful. And from it you can delight yourself with beautiful views of the Champs Elysees, the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe and the Tuileries Gardens. Central, beautiful and with a lot of history, would you like to know this emblematic square?
