Top 10 Things to do Around Place Vendome in Paris

Top 10 Things to do Around Place Vendome in Paris

The Place Vendome was built in 1686, under the order of the then King Louis XIV. It was his wish that the center of Paris hold a powerful, strong public square that could reflect the strength of the core of France as a world power.

This square is bordered by Parisian buildings on all four sides, and in the center stands the Colonne Vendôme; a bronze column topped with a statue of Napoleon.

The Place Vendome calls the 1st arrondissement home: the heart of Paris. Around it there is much to see and do, making this a hotspot for tourism in the French capital.

1. Shop on the Rue Saint-Honoré near the Place Vendome in Paris

The main street immediately south of the Place Vendome is called the Rue Saint-Honoré. In this neighborhood, it’s the place to go for luxury shopping and an important landmark in one of Europe’s fashion capitals.

On the Rue Saint-Honoré you’ll find everything from Chanel to Hermes; Louis Vuitton to McQueen. If you’re unsure where to begin, head to the Häagen-Dazs on the eastern end of the street and work your way up against the traffic.

Once you get to Christian Louboutin on the western end, you’ll have seen all there is to see.

Rue Saint-Honoré – by ktanaka – Wikimedia Commons

2. Visit the Louvre Museum near the Place Vendome in Paris

The Place Vendome shares a district with the largest museum in the world, the Louvre.

Just a short walk from the square will bring you to the glass pyramid entrance to this renowned museum. Home to hundreds of thousands of artworks, it’s scientifically impossible to see everything inside of this museum in a day; even 30 days of continuous exploration wouldn’t be enough time.

The Louvre – by Benh LIEU SONG – Wikimedia Commons

The Louvre is famously home to the beloved Mona Lisa. Both the museum and painting go hand in hand as two of Paris’ unmissable attractions.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday — 9am to 6pm

ADDRESS: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Metro STATION: Louvre

3. Walk the Tuileries Gardens near the Place Vendome in Paris

From the Louvre, you’re in easy access to the Tuileries Gardens just slightly to the west.

The Tuileries are pristine and manicured green spaces right here in the city center. Like the Place Vendome, the gardens give citizens a place to enjoy the outdoors with grounds on which to read, picnic, laze or stroll.

There is a famous pond in the middle of the Tuileries around which people sunbathe in the summer months. Sunbathing is permitted just about anywhere in Paris in compensation for the city’s lack of beach.

The Tuileries – by Eutouring – Wikimedia Commons

4. Attend La Pépinière Théâtre near the Place Vendome in Paris

Something Paris is not running short of are theaters, especially here in the 1st arrondissement.

The Pépinière Théâtre is a short walk from the Place Vendome, though there are about ten great theaters all within walking distance of this same spot.

I like this one in particular as it is more intimate and manageable in scale. You’ll never battle great crowds at Pépinière, or battle to get tickets to a show. This charming theatre does well to introduce newcomers to the essence of Paris.

Check the Pépinière Théâtre website or social media for information about what is currently showing.

La Pépinière Théâtre – by La Pépinière Théâtre – Uploaded by them

5. Walk From the Place Vendome to the Place de la Concorde in Paris

Few people realize how close in proximity the Place Vendome and Place de la Concorde exist with one another.

While the Place Vendome is a historically significant Parisian landmark, the Palace de la Concorde is a highly important landmark to France. This is the biggest public square in the country, and it was used throughout French history to gather, mobilize and inform the general public.

This giant square also marks the start of the Champs Elysees. From the Place de la Concorde one can continue west through to the end of the famous avenue where you’ll find the Arc de Triumph… in the center of another public square.

Paris’ plazas really are a gift that keeps on giving.

Place de la Concorde – by Para – Wikimedia Commons

6. Take a Picture in the Courtyard of the Palais-Royal near the Place Vendome in Paris

Perhaps you’ve seen images of the Palais-Royal and the courtyard full of black and white striped podiums that constantly have tourists perched on top of them.

This 17th century palace is open to the public and has many attractions inside!

The columns in question are the work of Daniel Buren and have resulted in ever increasing interest in this historic site. It’s good fun for children, too!

Palais-Royal – by Gerd Eichmann – Wikimedia Commons

7. Visit the Musée des Arts Décoratifs near the Place Vendome in Paris

Like theaters, the 1st arrondissement also has no shortage of museums, and visiting them from the Place Vendome is always within walking distance.

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is between the square and the Louvre. It’s an interesting space that has been here since 1882, showcasing decorative arts and operating as completely nonprofit.

The museum is an aesthetic wonder and features inside of one of the grandest foyers you’ll find anywhere in the city.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs – by Gaël Chardon – Wikimedia Commons

Exhibitions are constantly chaining but include displays of great fashion houses such as Dior. The permanent exhibits occupy the third floor up to the ninth.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 11am to 6pm

ADDRESS: 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Metro STATION: Tuileries

8. Explore the Orangerie Museum near the Place Vendome in Paris

On the other side of the Tuileries sits another fantastic museum called the Orangerie. This is an unmissable art museum for anyone traveling to Paris with an interest in fine arts throughout history.

The Orangerie is a carefully curated space, with an ease of exploring to it that some museums struggle to maintain when they are so large. Monet’s Water Lilies series of paintings are permanently housed in the Orangerie, and they bring in thousands of visitors a day.

Orangerie Museum – by David McSpadden – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday — 9am to 6pm

ADDRESS: Jardin Tuileries, 75001 Paris

Metro STATION: Concorde

9. Shop Great Books at WHSmith near the Place Vendome in Paris

I’m a sucker for a good bookshop anywhere in Paris, and the WHSmith branch in the 1st arrondissement is always a treat.

If you’re visiting from outside of France, it’s likely you need a bookstore that can accommodate your language requirements. WHSmith has made a point of incorporating all languages into their retail space, as well as a broad array of book genres stemming from fiction through to all of the art books that would typically include all content from the surrounding museums in the area.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 9:30am to 7:30pm

ADDRESS: 248 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Metro STATION: Concorde

10. Eat World Famous Macarons at Ladurée near the Place Vendome in Paris

Perhaps taking Ladurée macarons home from Paris has become a bit of cliche, but the 1st arrondissement is home to one of the flagship branches and where travelers flock to get their fix.

Don’t be surprised to find a perpetual queue at this store near the Place Vendome. Once inside, you’ll get to experience the treats first hand as well as purchase any gift boxes to take home as souvenirs.

Ladurée – by leo gonzales – Wikimedia Commons

There are four Ladurée stores surrounding the Place Vendome; the one to the west on the rue Royale is the better one!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 8am to 8pm

ADDRESS: 16 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris

Metro STATION: Concorde