France Travel

Laid out by Jacques Ange Gabriel between 1757 and 1779, the square was originally dedicated to Louis XV, of whom there was an equestrian statue in the centre by Pigalle and Bouchardon, pulled down during the Revolution. In its place the guillotine was erected, and among those who died here were King Louis XVI, his queen, Marie Antoinette, Danton, Madame Roland, Robespierre and St Just. The square assumed its present appearance between 1836 and 1840, when it was replanned by the architect Hittorf. In the centre stands the Egyptian obelisk from the temple of Luxor, given in 1831 by Mohammed Ali to Louis Philippe and erected in 1836. It is 75 feet high and is adorned with hieroglyphics which illustrate the deeds of the pharaoh Rameses 11. At the corners of the square are the eight statues which symbolise the main cities of France. On the northern side, the two colonnaded buildings (designed by Gabriel) today contain the Ministry of the Navy and the Hotel Crillon.





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