The largest square in Paris, the Place de la Concorde is a grand, sweeping space at the foot of the Champs-Élysées — a place of monumental beauty and dark history in equal measure. With its ancient Egyptian obelisk, splendid fountains, and superb views in every direction, it’s a magnificent spot that most visitors cross without realizing the dramatic events that once unfolded here. It’s a key landmark on the city’s grand central axis.
A Square of Revolution
Laid out in the 18th century in honor of King Louis XV, the square became the bloody stage of the French Revolution. Renamed the Place de la Révolution, it was here that the guillotine was set up during the Reign of Terror, and where King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and thousands of others were executed. It was later renamed Concorde (“harmony”) in the hope of reconciliation after those turbulent years.
The Luxor Obelisk
At the center of the square stands a genuine ancient Egyptian obelisk, over 3,000 years old, which once stood at the entrance to the Luxor Temple. A gift to France in the 1830s, this 23-metre pink granite monument is covered in hieroglyphs celebrating the pharaoh Ramesses II. It’s a remarkable, ancient survivor at the heart of the modern city, and the oldest monument in Paris.
Fountains and Statues
Flanking the obelisk are two magnificent and ornate fountains, the Fontaine des Mers and the Fontaine des Fleuves, celebrating France’s rivers and seas with gilded figures and spouting water. Around the edges of the square, eight statues represent the great cities of France. Together with the elegant matching buildings to the north, they make the Concorde a showcase of grand design.
The Grand Views
The Place de la Concorde sits at a pivotal point on the city’s great historic axis. From here you can look up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in one direction, and through the Tuileries Garden to the Louvre in the other, with the Eiffel Tower and the dome of Les Invalides visible across the river. The 360-degree panorama of Paris monuments is one of the best in the city.
Planning Your Visit
The square is free and always open, served by Concorde station and bordering the Tuileries Garden. Take care crossing, as it’s a busy traffic hub. There’s nothing to pay — simply enjoy the monuments and the spectacular views. It’s perfectly placed between the Tuileries, the Champs-Élysées, and the Musée de l’Orangerie, making it an easy stop on any central Paris walk.
More Paris guides: explore the full Paris Travel Guides series.
