Place de la Concorde

The Basics

Given its location between the Champs-Élysées and the Louvre, Place de la Concorde is included on many Paris tours. It’s a popular photo spot for open-top bus tours, with views of the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Seine River. A walking tour offers the best photo opportunities, and a bike or Segway tour is a leisurely way to explore the square. You can also admire Place de la Concorde from the water on a Seine cruise.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Free Wi-Fi hotspots are located on and around Place de la Concorde.

• The square is a must-see for those interested in revolutionary French history.

• Place de la Concorde is wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

Located on the right bank of the Seine River in the heart of historic Paris, Place de la Concorde borders the Seine, the Jardin des Tuileries, and the Champs-Élysées. The most scenic way to arrive is on foot, either walking down the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe, or strolling through the Tuileries Garden from the Louvre. Alternatively, the closest metro station is Concorde (Lines 1, 8, and 12).

When to Get There

Place de la Concorde is one of Paris’ busiest squares, a lively destination at all hours of the day and night. Head there on a sunny afternoon to make the most of the surrounding park, visit during the day to browse the shops along the Champs-lysées, or pass through on a night tour to admire Paris’ nighttime skyline.

History of Place de la Concorde

Dating back to the mid-18th century, the Place de la Concorde was originally named Place Louis XV and featured an imposing equestrian statue of the French king. During the French Revolution, the square was known as Place de la Révolution and famously served as the execution site of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Today, it’s best known for the gigantic Egyptian obelisk—part of the ancient Ramses II temple of Thebes—towering over its central plaza and its two magnificent fountains: Fontaine des Mers and Fontaine des Fleuves.

Ways to explore

Given its location between the Champs-Élysées and the Louvre, Place de la Concorde is included on many Paris sightseeing tours. It’s a popular photo spot for open-top bus tours, with views of the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Seine River. A walking tour offers the best photo opportunities, while a bike or golf cart tour is a leisurely way to visit the square and other top city attractions without getting footsore. You can also admire Place de la Concorde from the water on a Seine cruise.

Accessibility

This grand square is paved and flat, with ample pedestrian spaces ideal for a wheelchair.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera and battery pack, sun hat, water bottle

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, sunscreen

Not allowed

Though they look tempting on a hot Paris day, the fountains are not for swimming.

Amenities

Public restrooms (in the nearby Jardin des Champs-Élysées), restaurants, cafés

Address

Place de la Concorde is one of the main transportation hubs in Paris, with a dedicated metro station and several nearby bus stops. You can also walk or bike here from neighboring sights including the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe.

Driving

The underground parking garage (Parking Indigo Paris Place De La Concorde) can be accessed directly from the square, and main thoroughfares converge here from all directions, but driving in Paris is not for the faint-hearted. Skip the hassle and walk or take public transit.

Public transportation

Lines 1, 8, and 12 connect at the Concorde metro station directly under the square. To go by bus, take number 24, 42, 72, 84, or 94.

Best times to visit

Place de la Concorde is one of Paris’ busiest squares, a lively destination from morning to night. Head there on a sunny day to make the most of the surrounding park and browse the shops along the Champs-Élysées, or pass through on an evening tour to admire Paris’ lit-up skyline.

Best days to visit

You won’t find much difference between a weekday or weekend in this bustling public space. Sundays bring a bit of a bump as locals relax in the nearby parks.

Best months to visit

There is little shelter from the elements in this vast public space, so avoid visiting during the extreme summer and winter temperatures. Spring and fall are the best seasons to enjoy the fountains and architecture.

Special events

This large public space is often used for events, including the Bastille Day parade on July 14 and the Tour de France each year.