History of Paris Saint Honoré area

From Place Louis-le-Grand to Place Vendôme  

The Place Vendôme is one of the most distinguished and most beautiful parts of Paris. Classic and refined, sober and elegant, Place Vendôme is a masterpiece of French classical art. The famous architect Jules Hardouin Mansart drew up the plans in the seventeenth century. It was built between 1685 and 1699, in place of the Hotel du Duc de Vendôme. At that time, a statue of Louis XIV was the centerpoint, called the Place Louis-le-Grand. 

This symbol of the monarchy was attacked during the French Revolution and the statue was destroyed. Louis XVI came back here to see the damage before being taken to prison at ‘Temple’. The statue was replaced 15 years later. Napoleon had built a bronze column showing the French “Grande Armée” (army) during the Austerlitz battle in 1805. On top of this column was a statue of Napoleon. The monument was built following the melting of 12,000 cannons taken from the enemy at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805.

From Rue de la Chausseterie to Rue Saint-Honoré

The Rue Saint-Honoré is one of the most distinguished streets of Place Vendome. Located close to the Jardin des Tuileries, the Opera Garnier and Place Vendôme, this old street of Paris takes its name from the church of Saint-Honoré. Over the centuries the street has changed names many times: rue de la Chausseterie, rue Chastiau Festu, rue Croix du Tiroir, etc...

At Number 96 of this street Molière was born in 1622. Number 270 was the residence of Olympe de Gouges, author of the famous "Declaration on the Rights of Women and the Citizen."