Place Dauphine – An island of quietness on the Cité

Image by Frédéric Moussaïan

Despite it lost its beautiful old chestnut trees in 2009 due to a parasite, this gorgeous square of the Île de la Cité reopened with new baby trees and keeping its romantic atmosphere.

Although one of the most central squares in Paris, Place Dauphine is not overrun by tourists, probably because of its small and hidden entrances which partly conceal it. But this partial isolation is probably what makes it so charming.

The homogeneity and regularity of the houses (typical of the 5 “royal squares”, and well suggested by the two identical buildings on the Pont-Neuf entrance to the square, see picture), its curious triangular shape, its traditional restaurants, but more than anything else its quietness while still being only a few steps from busy Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame make it a great place to have a break, sit down for a few minutes on a bench, have a picnic and, during nice seasons, observe pétanque players.

All around the square, in addition to the restaurants, you’ll find art galleries and also the very austere Librairie de la Cour de Cassation, acknowledging the proximity of lawyers’ Bar and the final Court of Appeal.

This square was dedicated to “Le Dauphin” (crown prince) Louis XIII, son of “the good King Henry IV“, and was built at the same time as the Pont-Neuf and its royal statue. It was the second “royal square”, the first being Place Royale (now Place des Vosges).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Place Dauphine | Art & culture, Relaxing
Place Dauphine | Louvre/Les Halles
24 hours daily