Armes Square

You’ve now arrived at Place d’Armes. It was envisioned at the end of the 18th century as the centerpiece of urban planning desired by Belle Isle in 1754 and realized by the architect Jacques-François Blondel ten years later. It’s a large rectangular paved square that hosts the great powers of this world, alongside the one of religious authority which is already well-represented by the cathedral . Louis XV requested that all major institutions be grouped together in one emblematic square. The Town Hall behind you represents municipal power, the Corps de Garde, which is now the Tourist Office, represents military power, and the Parliament represents judicial power. The symbolic places of cities around the world witness the greatest events, both happy and tragic, and change names over the course of history’s twists and turns. Our Place d’Armes was called Place de la Loi, then Place Napoléon, then Paradeplatz before reverting to Place d’Armes. To this day itremains a gathering place at the heart of the city.