Place de la Concorde in Paris

Place de la Concorde boasts the largest square in Paris and one of the most famous sites in the city. The square is situated in the city centre of the French capital between Champs Élysées and the Le Jardin des Tuileries garden. This area was initially named after King Louis XV, where his statue stood before being destroyed during the French Revolution . Later, the area was renamed Place de la Révolution. The guillotine was erected on this square and famous people, such as Madame Elisabeth, Danton, Robespier and Queen Marie Antoinette, were executed here. The square’s name was also changed to Louis XVI, Place de la Chartre and finally Place de la Concorde, as a symbol of victory and a bright future.

The river Seine passes at the back side of the square and the majestic Palais Bourbon can be seen in the background. From this square, other attractions are easily accessible, such as the Louvre, Église de la Madeleine, Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume, Jardin des Tuileries, Palais Royal and Musée de l'Orangerie. Decorated with hieroglyphics of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II, the Obelisk of Luxor statue stands in the middle of the square. This statue once stood in the Egyptian town of Luxor and was relocated to Place de la Concorde in 1833, during the reign of King Louis-Philippe. Statues adorn each corner of the square, representing the French cities of Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Brest, Nantes and Rouen. The French Naval Ministry, the U.S. embassy and the French National Assembly are also situated next to Place de la Concorde, and the bridge of the Concorde leads to the Palais Bourbon.