Place des Vosges

The Basics

Named Place Royale prior to the Napoleonic Wars, the square was rededicated to Vosges, after the French region that was the first to pay its war taxes. Bisected by diagonal paths, its four mirror quadrants offer a peaceful space to spend time. Travelers may enjoy the square day or night to stroll, sit, and observe the cosmopolitan denizens of the Marais. The house where Victor Hugo, author of ""Les Misérables,” once lived is now a museum, free for travelers to visit.

Trip ideas

Paris Cabarets Beyond Moulin Rouge

Pull up a seat to one of the city’s revered performances, featuring risqué acts and sequined costumes on lesser-known stages.

6 Must-See Paris Museums

High culture is a quintessential part of Paris’ personality, and nowhere is that better expressed than in the city’s wealth of world-class museums. From art-world heavyweights to modernist stylings, here are six of the City of Light’s top museums.

Must-See Paris Neighborhoods

Each Paris neighborhood has a personality of its own—here are the top six you shouldn’t miss.

Where to Go Shopping in Paris

Discover where Parisians find their effortless style.

Where to Find the Best Views in Paris

From the obvious Eiffel Tower to the under-the-radar Centre Pompidou.

French Revolution Sites in Paris

Discover how to visit five of Paris’ most notable historical spots.

“The New Parisienne” Author’s Guide to Shopping in Paris

A Paris-based journalist, author, and tastemaker on where to shop for designer goods in the City of Light without emptying your wallet.

10 of The Most Historic Shopping Arcades in Europe

Shop in style on your next trip to Europe.

Visiting Paris for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do

From the cabaret to the croissants, here's what you can't miss on your first Paris trip.

The Do's and Don'ts of the Paris Catacombs

Human remains of millions of Parisians lie 135 feet underground at the Paris Catacombs (Les Catacombes). The 14th arrondissement attraction doesn't appeal to all, but for those who are interested, here’s how to make the most of this subterranean experience.

When to Get There

In Paris, each season brings its own charms. For the best weather, come late spring through early fall, May - September. Deals on hotels may be found in winter and early spring months. Festivals abound year-round; highlights include Bastille Day in July, and the springtime jazz and blues festival, Banlieues Bleues, and the summertime city-wide music festival, Quartier d’Été. Victor Hugo’s former home at the Place des Vosges is open 9:00am - 6:00pm every day except Monday.

Wildcard

Where Once A Swamp Before the Marais evolved into one of the most exclusive areas of Paris, the land was actually a swampy no-man’s land. (“Le Marais” translates to “the marsh.”) During the Middle Ages, the city was so crammed into into the Île de la Cité (the island in the Seine where Notre Dame cathedral stands), a group of monks dredged the marshlands to build a monastery, and soon the quiet area attracted the nobility, and the king himself.