Place de la Concorde

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The Luxor Obelisk is inscribed with hieroglyphs extolling the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II.

2. 2

   The square was originally named Place Louis XV and featured a massive equestrian statue of the king before its destruction in 1792.

3. 3

   During the French Revolution, the square was renamed Place de la Révolution.

4. 4

   The pyramidion atop the obelisk is covered in gold leaf to protect the ancient granite from erosion.

5. 5

   The two bronze fountains were inspired by the design of the fountains at St. Peter's Square in Rome.

6. 6

   Eight statues representing major French cities, including Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, are positioned around the perimeter.

7. 7

   The obelisk weighs 230 tons and was transported from Egypt using a custom-built ship named the Luxor.

8. 8

   The square sits at the intersection of the historic 'Axe historique' that runs through Paris.

Overview

Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris, situated at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. It serves as the historic site where King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed during the French Revolution. The centerpiece is the Luxor Obelisk, a 3,300-year-old Egyptian monolith gifted to France in the 19th century. Two monumental fountains, the Fountain of the River and the Fountain of the Sea, frame the plaza. The square connects the Tuileries Garden to the west and the Rue de Royale to the north. Designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, it originally functioned as a tribute to King Louis XV. It serves as a central hub for major national processions and celebrations. The square is bounded by the Hôtel de la Marine and the Hôtel de Crillon.

Insider tips

• Visit during the early morning to avoid the heavy traffic that circles the square throughout the day.

• Stay on the pedestrian islands to get closer to the fountains and obelisk without entering the active traffic circle.

• Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Tuileries Garden.