Saint-Sauveur square

Saint Sauveur square is one of the city’s oldest public squares! The square was spared the bombardments that preceded the city’s liberation. It boasts some beautiful facades that are typical of the French classicist period. Classical architecture originated from the admiration for Greek and Roman antiquity masterpieces, and was widely used in France in the 17th century to magnify the glory of Louis XIV! No wonder you see him right in the centre of the square, standing tall and proud in his Roman emperor garb. Over the centuries, the square has served many purposes. For a long time it was the market square, but it was also the site of the scaffold and the pillory. The pillory was a post where convicts were tied up for all to see, so as to set an example before being punished. Prisoners arriving from the prison on Geôle Street used to walk up Frommage Street, which leads to the square known at the time as Monte à Regret Street! This means go up with regrets…It was also here that the bodies of those who had committed suicide were hung by their feet. A delightful time, by all accounts. In the 18th century, a major urbanisation campaign was launched, and all the old medieval houses surrounding the square were demolished to make way for beautiful mansions and other refined buildings. Nowadays, it’s a lively square with a pleasant atmosphere where you can stop for a drink. If you come here on a Friday, you’ll find a lovely farmers’ market. At the end of the square, towards Palace Square, you’ll find a group of aluminium statues. The work, by Dutch artist Joep Van Lieshout, is called “Caravane”, and traces the history of the city through five emotions: joy, sadness, loneliness, and compassion.