Place Dauphine

Place Dauphine is a unique square in the heart of Paris on the Île de la Cité. It was commissioned by King Henry IV and completed in 1606. The square was created to fill a vacant plot of three hectares. What makes Place Dauphine special is that the houses around it were built for commoners and merchants, while other squares, like Place des Vosges, were intended for nobility and royalty. 

The buildings follow a set pattern: a gallery on the ground floor, three floors above, with the top as an attic. Only two buildings remain original; the rest have been modified but retain the square’s character. Place Dauphine sits by the Pont Neuf and was built shortly after the bridge. 

During the French Revolution it was renamed Place de Thionville in honor of acts of resistance. Although the square is the geographical center of Paris, it is surprisingly peaceful and not touristy — perfect for an intimate visit.