Watch the neighbourhood happenings from a café and inspect the artwork of a commanding monument at this vast public square.
Visit Place de la République when exploring the lively Paris neighbourhood of Le Marais. This paved plaza is the perfect place to take a break from browsing the fashion outlets on the surrounding alleys and boulevards. Place de la République takes its name from France’s governmental system, the French Republic. Once a busy roundabout, the square took on its present appearance in 2013 following a major redevelopment.
At the heart of the square is the Monument a la République by the artist brothers Charles and Léopold Morice. It celebrates Marianne, a national symbol and the embodiment of the French Republic. View the bronze statue of Marianne atop a tall pedestal. In her right hand she holds aloft an olive branch and in her left hand is a tablet carved with the words droits de l’homme (human rights).
Additional artistic features decorate the monument’s lower section. Among these are three stone sculptures that represent the French Republic values of liberty, equality and fraternity. Examine reliefs that portray important events in French history. Read the inscription on the pedestal: À la gloire de la République Française – La Ville de Paris – 1883 (To the Glory of the French Republic – The City of Paris – 1883).
Sit at a café terrace or on one of the many benches and people-watch. Observe as tourists emerge from the metro station and gaze in awe at the square’s classical-style architecture. Be entertained by street performers and skateboarders. Free concerts and political rallies also take place here occasionally.
Find the square on the right bank of the Seine River and at the meeting point of the 3rd, 10th and 11th arrondissements. Get here easily by taking the metro to République, the station located beneath the square. Several bus lines stop here, too.
Place de la République is busy throughout the day. At night use it as a meeting point to join friends before going to the nearby bars, clubs or theatres.
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