Place de la République (Paris)

Place de la République (formerly known until 1879 as the Place du Château d’Eau) is a square in Paris, located on the border between the 3rd, 10th and 11th districts. It is named after the French Republic (la République) and contains a monumental statue of Marianne, the personification of France. The République metro station is located under the square, served by lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11.

Paris map

Boulevard Lafayette, North Station, Stalingrad Square

Paris Sights in old photos. Republic Square

Place de la République (Republic Square) in a 1910’s postcard.

History and architecture
The square was originally called Place du Château d’Eau (Water Castle Square) after the huge castle-like fountain built on the site in 1811 and designed by Pierre-Simon Girard. Émile de La Bédollière wrote that the water came from La Villette (the canal?) and that the fountain had an “excellent” character. In 1867, Gabriel Davioud built an even more impressive fountain in the square, which was decorated with lions in a style similar to its predecessor. This was done as part of the larger renovations of Paris carried out by Baron Haussmann from 1855-1870 under Napoleon III. Haussman’s design gave the square its current form and area (8.4 acres).

Place de la République in Paris before WW1

Place de la République in a postcard, circa 1910, overflown by the French military airship “Colonel Renard.”

The Monument à la République at the Square’s center was created by the brothers Charles and Leopold Morice (French Charles and Léopold Morice). Leopold was the sculptor, and Charles the architect. In designing the 31 foot bronze and stone statue the brothers sought to exemplify French republican values. Marianne, holding an olive branch and the Declaration of the Rights of Man, is supported by three statues symbolizing the three values of the Republics, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Towards the bottom, a lion guards a ballot box.
The monument was chosen as part of an art competition announced in early 1879 by the City Council of Paris, which sought to create a “Monument to the French Republic” in honor of the 90th anniversary of the French Revolution. The Morice brothers’ statue was chosen by the jury, but the second place finisher, a statue by the previously-exiled artist Jules Dalou, was also selected for display in the adjacent Place de la Nation. (Dalou’s involvement with the revolutionary Paris Commune during the Franco-Prussian war necessitated a flight to England in the 1870s.) Dalou’s statue, Triumph of the Republic, had captured the attention of a small but vocal part of the jury, resulting in the unusual committee decision. The Monument à la République replaced the fountain at the Square’s center, and was installed in 1883.
To this day, the Square remains a center for political activity and demonstrations in Paris, befitting its Republican name and sculpture.

Photo gallery of modern views of the square, statue and surrounding area

Before the start of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, a lot of preparatory work is underway to improve the appearance of streets and houses. Some streets have been dug up and closed for reconstruction, and public transport routes have been cancelled. Indeed, some corners of Paris require restoration and renewal. In April 2024, we decided to conduct a small tourist audit of Republic Square to look at possible changes. After a short self-guided walking tour, we discovered that there were no major changes to the appearance of the square and monument. Below we post photographs of different views of the square and detailed views of parts of the monument, as they represent scenes of living history in France. Visitors to our guide will be interested in comparing old views of the square and monument in our postcard collection and modern photographs 100 years later.

Self-guided walking tour of Paris, Place de la République

Place de la République (Paris) in April 2024 before the Olympic Games

The weather was excellent, sunny, but not very hot, which allowed tourists and locals to walk around the square. There were no rallies or political demonstrations, which have been a national tradition of the French for several hundred years. There were also no beggars or homeless people. It became possible to calmly photograph all the historical scenes on the monument and their descriptions. The people surrounding the statue allow us to imagine its geometric dimensions.

Personal experience and useful tips for a walk on Republic Square (Paris)

To better understand the history and traditions of France, and to feel youself like a real Frenchman, we recommend visiting a traditional bakery shop in the area. The facade and advertising have been preserved in the classic style of the 30s of the last century. The store, closed with curtains, looks very inconspicuous, but.. This is exactly what the real French national best stores look like. Take a look and see for yourself, and thank us for the advice. Pay attention to the work schedule. Also pay attention to a series of paintings from the history of the bakery

The catering bakery “Aux Péchés Normands” offers you a wide choice of breads adapted to all your desires! Traditional breads like: wholemeal bread, rye, with six cereals, the traditional ball and crumb. Breads with original names such as: Viking bread, lumberjack, “weekend”, poolish, sourdough,  or even the little “tradis” with savory or sweet garnishes. Catering Pastry, Lunch Break (delicious dishes for a successful lunch break). A very large choice of sandwiches, large or small salads, hot or cold catered dishes, and for dessert: verrines, pastries, fruit salads, macaroons..

The catering bakery “Aux Péchés Normands” Paris

The catering bakery “Aux Péchés Normands”

Since 1993, Philippe and Maryse Conan and their team have been preparing delicious homemade products every day in their magnificent bakery and catering business “Aux Péchés Normands” located in the 10th arrondissement in Paris (Metro République) 9 rue du Faubourg du Temple.
Open: Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. for the creperie), Sunday – Sunday Closed.