Place des Victoires

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The Place des Victoires is a monument in honor of King Louis XIV in the heart of Paris, celebrating the peace of Nimègue in 1681. A loyal courtesan, the Viscount of Aubusson, demolished the old private mansions around the area and, in 1685, gave architect Jule-Hardouin Mansart a superb area to accommodate the majestic statue of the triumphant king. An iron gate circles the square, surrounding the 12 meter-high statue. Pleasantly surprised, the Sun King gave a reward of 120,000 livres to the Viscount of Aubusson, who nevertheless died ruined by many grandiose and useless expenses. This original statue was destroyed in 1792, after the Revolution. It was not until 1828 that Louis XVIII commissioned the current statue, created by the artist Bosio. Louis XIV, dressed as a Roman emperor, stands on a proud horse skilfully pulled up on its hind legs. Today, the Place des Victoires is a famous display of the Parisian lifestyle, as the designers Kenzo, Cacharel, Thierry Mugler and others have settled there.