The area Dauphin is one of the most beautiful in Paris. It is situated on the île de La Cité, it offers wonderful views of the Louvre – and yet, as written by Andre Maurois, the area of the undeservedly forgotten. Tourists know her a little.

The place Dauphine was founded in 1608, under Henry IV. Four years earlier the king had built a New bridge crossing the Sieve. At the intersection on the Western tip of the island, appreciating the beauty of the king decided to break a spacious area, which would contrast with intricate medieval streets of old Paris.

Named the area in honor of the future monarch Louis XIII – heir to the throne of France was called the Dauphin. The perimeter was built thirty-two houses in the same style – brick, white stone, arcade games, white roof slate. Very close to the Cité was the former Royal Palace that housed the administration of the king and court of justice – on the square began to rent apartments diplomats of the middle rank, the couple involved in the courts. Itself place Dauphine became a favorite place of work comedians and subteran.

"Merry king" as he was called Henry, did not really have time to enjoy his creation: 14 may 1610, when he rode in an open carriage through Paris, Vagabond Francois Ravalyak jumped on the bandwagon, thrice struck the king with a dagger.

In the beginning of the XVIII century, the square has become the focus of artistic life in Paris. On the day of the Body and blood of Christ here under the open sky were exhibitions of artists of the newcomers. It was here that gained recognition Fragonard and Chardin.

The French revolution forbade the celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ, exhibitions ceased. At the same time, the revolutionaries were sent to the smelter adorned the area equestrian monument "tyrant" Henry IV. The monument was restored in 1818, he was cast from melted figure of Napoleon Bonaparte with the Vendome column.

Current Dauphine is not too similar to its ancestor four centuries ago. Buildings on the East side were demolished to open views of the Palace of justice, from the old houses to the present day survived only two. Today it is a cozy and quiet area, which really like the Parisians.