Place de la Concorde

Overview

Place de la Concorde is the largest public square in Paris, sitting at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. Grand, monumental, and chaotic, it serves as a spectacular open-air vestibule connecting the Louvre, the Tuileries, and the Seine.

Highlights

• The Luxor Obelisk: A magnificent, 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk standing precisely in the center, crowned by a gold-leaf pyramidion.
• Fontaines de la Concorde: Two spectacular, highly detailed maritime fountains that closely resemble those in St. Peter's Square in Rome.
• The Views: Stand in the center for perfect, sweeping visual alignments towards the Arc de Triomphe to the west and the Louvre to the east.

History

Originally named Place Louis XV, the square holds a famously dark history. During the French Revolution, it was renamed Place de la Révolution and became the primary execution site where the guillotine claimed over 1,200 lives, including King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Visitor Tips

• Traffic: The square is essentially a massive, high-speed roundabout. Use designated pedestrian crossings with extreme caution!
• Sunset: One of the absolute best places in the city to stand at sunset as the light hits the golden tip of the obelisk.
• Duration: 15–20 minutes as a dramatic walkthrough point.