Place Vendôme, Paris

The Column - 44 metres high - is comprised of a stone core, encased in the bronze of 1250 cannons captured at the Battle of Austerliz (1805). It was designed by Denon, Gondouin, and Lepère and modeled in the style of Trajan's Column in Rome. It was constructioned during 1806 - 1810, The spiral bronze bas-relief was created by Bergeret.
Originally a statue of Napoléon a Caesar was placed on top. This was replaced by a likeness of Henri IV which was removed during the 100 Day (1815) when Napoléon returned from Elba and attempted to regain power. Afterwards Louis XVIII installed an enormous fleur-de-lys, but Louis-Philippe restored Napoléon in military uniform.

During the Commune in 1871, a group of Communards lead by Gustave Courbet the artist, tore down the column. Rather than pay for its re-erection, as he was ordered, Courbet died (1877) in exile in Switzerland. During 1873 - 1874, the column was reestablished at the center of Place Vendôme with a copy of the original statue on top.

The square is surrounded by shops of some of the most famous names in fashion, as well as the Hotel Ritz. An inner staircase leading to the top is no longer open to the public.

At the centre of Place Vendome you´ll find a magnificent pillar. This pillar is obviously inspired by the Pillar of Traian in Rome. It has an height of 43,5 metres. Around the pillar, there is a sculpture as a comicbook, showing Napoleon´s greatest victories. This sculpture was made out of the bronze of 1.200 canons that were taken out of Austerlitz.

On top of this pillar there was placed a statue of Napoleon, looking like Caesar. He was very proud of the fact that he conquered the famous Rome, so he loved to be shown as a Roman emperor. This statue was destroyed in 1814 and was replaced by a statue of Henry IV. In 1874, a copy of the original statue was placed back on top of the pillar.

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The large space occupied by the Place Vendome (700 feet across) comes as a surprise. The octagonal distribution of elegant facades bespeaks upper-class luxury as is attested to by the jewelry shops and banks in the arcades along the walls. It originated as an idea for a government center; ultimately it was left in the hands of entrepreneurs. The buildings behind the facades have nothing to do with the outside show. The tall central column can be seen from far off. Its core is of stone and the covering is worked bronze like Trajan’s Column in Rome. The column and its statue on top (now of Napoleon) has had its ups and tear-downs.

The most known building at containing Place Vendome is exclusive Ritz hotel.
In house under number 12 Frideric Chopin has spent last years of his life, he has died here at 17 of October 1849 , what commemorates wall table on the front.

The Vendome Square (Place Vendome) (whose name was the one of the hotel demolished to built it) is famous all around the world as it is the central place for jewellery in Paris. In the centre of the square, you could see the Vendome Column (Colonne Vendôme) with Napoléon on its top.

Robert Langdon, en visite à Paris, loge dans l'hôtel le plus renommé de la capitale : le Ritz.

Robert Langdon, in visit in Paris, stall in the most famous hotel of the capital : the Ritz.

Ouvert en 1898, il est situé sur la non moins prestigieuse place Vendôme.

Elaborée au début du 17ème siècle, Napoléon y a fait installer la colonne Vendôme, construite avec le bronze de 1200 canons pris à l'ennemi entre 1805 et 1807.

Open in 1898, it is situated on the less prestigious Vendome place.

Elaborate in the beginning of the 17th century, Napoleon had the Vendome column there installed, constructed with the bronze of 1200 cannons took to the enemy between 1805 and 1807

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As one of the most prestigious addresses in Paris (and there are many), Place Vendôme is home to some businesses that can afford the real estate premium. These include JP Morgan, Hôtel Ritz Paris, Giorgio Armani, as well as some of the diamond industry's dominant players. The square was created in 1702 and, soon afterwards, the palatial buildings surrounding it were built. In the 19th century, Napoléon Bonaparte erected a triumphal column, modelled after Trajan's Column in Rome, at the centre of the place to commemorate the victory in the battle of Austerlitz.

This elegant sqaure is a masterpiece of classical architecture. Its original 18th century appearance was restored and parking was eliminated in 1992.
This is the place where the elegant boutiques, jewelry shops, and the famous Ritz can be found.