Designed
in 1755, this octagonal courtyard lies between the Champs-Élysées
to the west and the Tuileries Gardens to the east. Originally
named Place Louis XV to honor the then king, it was filled
with statues and fountains to make it a place of beauty
and peace in the middle of Paris. Two buildings were added
at the north end, and they were to serve as governmental
offices, but one of them was eventually made into the
Hôtel de Crillon. During the French Revolution the
statue of King Louis XV was torn down and the area renamed
"Place de la Révolution". Over 1300 heads
were taken as the nobility and members of the bourgeoisie
were slaughtered one by one using a guillotine erected
at the site. These heads included the head of King Louis
XVI and the head of Marie Antoinette. Also reported to
be present were Madame du Barry, Danton, Lavoisier, and
Robespierre. |
