Top place vendôme similar to the box – it has an unusual octagonal shape. The reason was the economy.

In 1680 king Louis XIV bought located the Palace of the Duke of Vendome and the nearby convent des Capucines. Royal superintendent of buildings was instructed to create a size worthy of the Sun King. The superintendent invited the famous architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart.

According to the plan of the monarch area should be framed luxury mansions, Academy, mint, library. In the centre is the equestrian statue of king. Louis demanded that the area has turned out unique and magnificent as he is.

The facades of the buildings in the classical style were built quickly. However, the parallel construction of Versailles and the constant wars drained the Treasury - work stopped. While the square with the equestrian statue of the king was surrounded only fronts!

I grew up the house, we had to find buyers. Those who did not. The situation was saved by the Scot John Lowe, the inventor of paper money. The houses in the square were the first objects in the world, for which he paid off metal coins, and paper. To build here has become fashionable.

Over the economy of thought, and the architect Mansart. He changed the plan area, cutting off angles and thus increasing the building area. It Mansart smart enough to arrange additional accommodations under the roof. He boldly highlighted garret window, exquisite moldings, and the world got famous later attic.

During the great French revolution is the equestrian statue of the Sun King put a huge guillotine. In 1810 by decree of Napoleon in the square was erected the Vendome column. This imitation of the Roman Tranovoj the column is made of metal 1250 cannons captured by the French army of Russians and Austrians.

On place vendôme is the famous hotel Ritz, where stayed Proust, Hemingway, Coco Chanel. It is from the Ritz hotel," went on his last trip to the tunnel D Alma Princess Diana.

Interesting for tourists is the feature of the square is a huge amount of luxury jewelry stores.