Under shady trees on Place des Vosges, a photo from Ile-de-France, North

Photographer's Note

Under shady trees on the Place des Vosges, Paris

This square, with its perfect layout, is the first example bearing witness to Henri IV's interest in town planning and contains about forty brick and stone houses built over arcades.

A Symmetrical Design

The history of the Place des Vosges goes back to 1604 when King Henry IV built a Royal pavilion at the southern end of the square. The building was designed by Baptiste du Cerceau.
The King ordered all 35 other buildings bordering the square to follow the same design.
The result, an early example of urban planning, is a symmetrical square surrounded by buildings with red brick and white stone facades, steep slate roofs and dorm windows, all constructed over arcades.

The Royal pavilion at the center of the southern side, the so-called King's pavilion was built on top of a gateway. At the northern side mirroring the King's pavilion is the Queen's pavilion.

Hôtel de Tournelles

Before the 17th century, another prominent building occupied the northern end of the square: the 'Hôtel de Tournelles'. This grand building was constructed in 1388 and served as a residence for the Royal family until 1559, when King Henry II was severely wounded during a tournament held at the site. He died ten days later in the Hôtel de Tournelles. His wife, Catherine de Medicis, had the building demolished and moved to the Louvre.

Place Royale

The square was officially inaugurated in 1612 as the 'Place Royale'. At that time merely a lawn, it was a favorite place for duels.
In 1639 Richelieu had an equestrian statue of King Louis XIII erected at the center of the square. It was destroyed during the French Revolution but a new statue of King Louis XIII was installed in 1825.

The Taxpaying Department

In 1800 Napoleon changed the name of the square from 'Place Royale' to 'Place des Vosges' to show his gratitude towards the Vosges department, the first department in France to pay taxes. It was again renamed Place Royale in 1815, only to be changed yet again into 'Place des Vosges' in 1870.

Maison de Victor Hugo

Many famous Frenchmen lived here, among them Richelieu and Victor Hugo.
Cardinal Richelieu, who became prime minister of France in 1624 lived at nr 21 from 1615 to 1627.
Victor Hugo, author of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' lived on the second floor of house nr 6, the 'Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée', from 1832 to 1848. The house, now called 'Maison de Victor Hugo' is turned into a museum. You can visit the rooms where Victor Hugo wrote most of 'Les Misérables'. On display are souvenirs, drawings and books, all in chronological order, from his childhood to his exile between 1852 and 1870.(Source: aviewoncities)

ourania, snunney, jhm, timecapturer, gildasjan, jlbrthnn, williewhistler, siamesa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (57542) 2012-08-08 1:45

Hi George,a beautiful game of light and shadows from the Vosges square gardens! I like this different way to take this magnificent corner of Paris,very original and very well done! I saw yesterday all your Budapest gallery,i will be there next week and it's very very interesting to me!! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

dkmurphys (36727) 2012-08-08 1:53

Hi Gyorgy,
Very romantic capture, a perfect place for this kind of scene. Well taken.

Daniel

Highmountains (1834) 2012-08-08 2:02

There is peace and shade for the couple realxing on the bench. The clarity of the leafy trees and the shades with the brick and stone facade in the background forms a natural frame to the couple on the bench. The relaxed air is apparent from the posture of the two persons. Both have a leg up. The colour tone and texture of the photograph is excellent. The details of a small gropu sitting in the sun on the left, the cropped ferns and hedges and the carpet of light and shade around the bench is pleasing to the eye of the viewer. Thanks for sharing.

besnard (48755) 2012-08-08 2:18

Bonjour George
Une image très romantique, un beau jeu d'ombre et de lumière.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

ourania (12287) 2012-08-08 2:35

Hello George,
a wonderful and effective composition that gives us a great impression of this place and its atmosphere. The two trees on the right and left make a superb frame that enhances our interest in the architecture of the building and the square as well as in the peaceful daily scenes there. The depth you have created is very attractive and the lighting is admirable maintaining superb clarity all over and capturing the delightful play of light and shade in the foliage and on the ground. A very lovely picture, congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

snunney (67228) 2012-08-08 4:00

Hello George,
A pleasant, well constructed image. I like the presence of the couple on the bench and the dappled sunlight under the trees. Nicely exposed with good colours and sharpness.

holmertz (26876) 2012-08-08 4:09

Hello György,
A good view of one of the nices places in Paris. The couple sitting on the bench make a good contrast to the elegant building in the background. I like the spots of sunlight on the ground which at first glance I thought were leaves that had fallen down.
Best regards,
Gert

jhm (122334) 2012-08-08 4:28

Hello György,

This couple enjoy of the shadows also the other people of the sun in park
Amazing colors and good presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John

Sergiom (39122) 2012-08-08 5:12

Bonjour George

C'est très habile de ta part de nous faire profiter de la même vue et de la même atmosphère que le couple à l'ombre sur le banc.Il faut avouer que la vue est belle.

Amicalement

Serge

timecapturer (30226) 2012-08-08 5:25

Hi György
a clever and effective composition, with tantalising dappled light that appeals and adds such a restful atmosphere. Excellent management of the difficult light with no loss of detail.

Regards - Brian.

sacimar (25957) 2012-08-08 7:37

Hello George,

this is a good image in this beautiful place of Paris, I like the composition with the couple sitting in the bench, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

gildasjan (38166) 2012-08-08 7:42

Bonjour Georges
Très belle réalisation sur la place des Vosges.Il n'est pas toujours facile de faire des photos de ce lieu sans être gêné par les passants.Bel habillage de cette image par le feuillage des arbres.
Bonne soirée
Amicalement
gildas

jlbrthnn (79773) 2012-08-08 9:37

Hello George,
You made us discover the quiet spots of Paris, away from the bustle of the city. The exhibition is very good. A beautiful image between shadow and light. Excellent quality. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

williewhistler (7229) 2012-08-08 10:36

Hello George,the silhouetted couple sitting in the shade make a most charming capture ,the trees make a fine frame and the patterns of the dappled sun are a nice touch.
Regards Les.

cornejo (17988) 2012-08-08 11:03

György Hello, I like this romantic scene to the backlight in this beautiful area of this charming city, very good and nice shot taken with technique and quality, interesting and good work my friend, congratulations. Tfs.

Good afternoon and happy week.
Best regards and best wishes.
Angel

carlo62 (12492) 2012-08-08 14:19

Ciao George
bel quadretto, gli alberi a fare da cornice a questo momento di intimità ed il tutto nella splendida piazza di cui si intravedono i classici palazzi sullo sfondo.
Saluti
Carlo

siamesa (27449) 2012-08-11 8:04

Bom dia George

A lovely capture. I like the shadows ana lights under the trees.Very beautiful composition.
Abraços
maria

westcoastgirl1 (660) 2012-08-28 16:12

Hi George

A great symmetrical shot with well managed lighting. A very relaxing photo to enjoy.

Have a great night,
Tosca

smash2707 (3216) 2012-10-11 18:09

I love your Parisian series. Here, I love the compo. This is my favorite place of the city. I stumbled upon it by mistake and it just relaxed me. I sat down and ate the panini I just had bought. Can't wait to get there in a couple of days. Nice compo, great framing. It transmits the ambiance