Place des Vosges

Just a five minute walk from the apartment, Place des Vosges is a great place to relax.  It's perfect for people watching.

Building began in 1605, by Henri IV, and finished in 1612.  It is truly a symmetrical square, each side being 140 metres long.  The builings are constructed of beautiful red brick with blue slate roofs.

 In the arcade under the houses there are galleries featuring a variety of art, designer shops, L'ambroisie restaurant (reportedly the most beautiful restaurant in Paris, but I haven't been inside..........YET!), cafe's and tea rooms. 

In the past the square was home to a number of French historical figures, including Victor Hugo, whose house is open to the public.... and the permanent exhibition if free!  Although the furnishings, books and written entries, and portraits (How did these people ever get anything done, when they spent so much time sitting for portraits?), and other art work are from different periods of Hugo's life, this is the spot where he wrote parts of Les Miserables. 

I'm reasonably certain that Victor Hugo was not terribly "miserable" writing from this house, with this view of Place des Vosges outside his study window.

The park is filled with people relaxing on benches reading or listening to their iPods, chatting with friends.  There is a little playground full of kids and at least one tour group.  It's clean and peaceful.  The grass is off limits!