SWOON: Place des Vosges

Straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissements in the heart of le Marais lies *une petite tranche of heaven and an important part of French history. The oldest planned square in Paris, Place des Vosges is a beautiful public space frequented by tourists and locals all year round.

Originally known as Place Royale (Royal Square) but renamed after the French Revolution, the square was built by King Henry IV in the early 1600s. With a perfectly symmetrical design structured around the taller King's and Queen's Pavilions, Place Royale was, in fact, home to nobility but no royals – barring the future Queen of France, Anna of Austria who lived there briefly. You can read more about the square's rich history here.

Today, visitors stroll the arched walkways or drink in the atmosphere and red-brick architecture while lounging by the fountains, *une glace in hand. You’ll find lovers kissing on benches under linden trees, *les enfants playing in the sandpits, culture vultures visiting the galleries or Victor Hugo Museum (the literary icon once called No. 6 home), and others dining in the numerous cafés dotting the perimeter.

* a little slice | *the square | *an ice cream | *children