The Place des Vosges in Paris isn’t just about art galleries and tourists, especially in winter. There’s also a rather dainty park, complete with this kiosk near the north exit, and some gorgeous light that I wanted to capture on a freezing February afternoon. And then there is this moustachioed, almost surreal statue, the kind you’d expect to find in a Walt Disney or Pixar cartoon.
The Kiosk on the Place des Vosges
As it’s been a good while since I took this photo, the kiosk has taken on a rather mysterious air. What on earth was it used for? Storing the council’s maintenance gear, perhaps?
Or perhaps it housed the park keeper, or served as a reception point for visitors. Maybe it even sold tickets, though tickets for what, I couldn’t say. No more excuses, I really must go back, and not just tearing across the square on my bike at 160 mph (or thereabouts). The Paris city website mentions a “guard’s kiosk”, so it was probably the keeper’s shelter after all. But what exactly was he guarding? Making sure tourists didn’t get too close to the equestrian statue of Louis XIII in the middle of the square?
Talking about which, I might as well show it to you now.
Right in the middle of the Square Louis XIII stands an equestrian statue of Louis XIII. It looks as though it’s straight out of a Walt Disney cartoon, or perhaps The King and the Mockingbird. It was unveiled in 1825, sculpted by Charles Dupaty and Jean-Pierre Cortot. I’m not entirely sure one should congratulate them. It replaces the seventeenth-century bronze statue destroyed during the Revolution, which explains a lot. [Source: City of Paris, Square Louis XIII].
And here’s the view of the square. Is there anything lovelier than those clear blue winter skies? From a distance, the statue looks rather less clumsy.
All that’s left for me, and for you, dear readers, is to head back to the Place des Vosges.
------------
Je suis photographe et aquarelliste. Je pratique la photographie depuis l'enfance et la photographie numérique depuis 1995. J'en ai fait mon activité principale en 2021. Je possède un studio photo dans le 15e arrondissement de Paris
- The Resilience of Amiens Cathedral Through History - September 8, 2026
- Winter at place des Vosges - September 7, 2026
- Back to the shack - August 21, 2026
