Place des Vosges

Henri IV had it built, and it was inaugurated in 1612 as the Place Royale, with festivities for the marriage of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria. It is a 140-metre square of 36 identical red-brick and stone houses over arcades; only the taller King's and Queen's pavilions, facing each other, stand out.

Victor Hugo lived at number 6, and his house is now a free museum with his furniture and drawings. Under the arcades are art galleries, cafés and restaurants, and people picnic on the lawns of the central garden.