Why this ranking?
To justify its ranking, Chat GPT gave me these reasons:
- Historical and cultural heritage : These squares are privileged witnesses to the history of their towns, often with emblematic monuments and buildings.
- Aesthetics and architecture: They are distinguished by their remarkable architecture, often classical or baroque, and their layout, which creates harmony between the different elements.
- Ambiance and popularity : These squares are not only tourist spots, but also places of life, full of animation and vitality, which gives them a special charm.
- Symbolism and heritage: Some of these squares have strong symbols, such as Place Stanislas, which embodies the elegance of the royal court, or Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux, a true symbol of the city's maritime past.
1 Place Stanislas in Nancy
Nancy is famous for this magnificent square inaugurated in 1755: the Place Stanislas / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Shutterstock.
Nancy's Place Stanislas is an 18th-century architectural masterpiece, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed by Emmanuel Héré at the behest of Stanislas Leszczynski, former King of Poland and Duke of Lorraine, it was inaugurated in 1755. Famous for its classical harmony, with majestic buildings such as the Hôtel de Ville, the Opéra and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, it is also known for the beauty of the gold-leaf gilded wrought-iron grills by Jean Lamour and fountains by Barthélemy Guibal that add beauty and folly to this beautiful, bright square that hosts cafés, events and spectales. It's Nancy's treasure trove. The city, capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, is also famous for two other squares that are also UNESCO listed: the Place de la Carrière and the Place d'Alliance. It's also France's richest city in Art Nouveau relative to its size. It was the cradle of the Ecole de Nancy, a fabulous decorative school born at the end of the 19th century that left wonders in the field of furniture and decoration (wood, crystal, glass...).
The Place Stanislas with the Neptune fountain by Barthélémy GUIBAL / Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: Shutterstock
The reasons for the ranking for ChatGPT:
An 18th-century masterpiece, this square is a jewel of classical architecture. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it impresses with its gilded gates, fountains and grandeur. A true monument of beauty and history.
2 Place de l'étoile, Paris
L'arc de triomphe de la place de l'étoile / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance Hervé Lagrange de Pixabay
It takes its name from its star-shaped configuration, where twelve avenues radiate out from the center. It was long the summit of a tree-lined promenade that in the 19th century became the avenue des champs-élysées: the most beautiful avenue in the world. Of course, the Place de l'Etoile is best known for the Arc de Triomphe. It was Napoleon who began its creation. It was completed long after him. It houses the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and is a place that is both a place of remembrance for the whole nation but also a major tourist center of the capital.
La Marseillaise by Jean François RUDE on the Arc de Triomphe / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : Hans Rohmann de Pixabay
Reasons for ranking for ChatGPT:
One of Paris's most iconic squares, dominated by the Arc de Triomphe and surrounded by majestic boulevards. It embodies the grandeur of the city and French history.
3 Place des Vosges in Paris
The Place des Vosges with its homogeneous buildings (there are 36 of them) is the oldest royal square in Paris. It has served as a model for all the others, not only in the capital but also in France and around the world / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
Composed of 36 identical buildings, the Place des Vosges was erected in the early 17th century, starting in 1605, by the will of King Henri IV and based on plans by architect Louis Metezeau. Slightly rectangular, it measures 127 and 140 meters on each side with a pretty east square at its center. Many celebrities have lived here, which took the name Place des Vosges in 1792 to pay tribute to the Vosges department, the first to pay taxes for the French Revolution and to send volunteers to defend the Fatherland in danger. Located in the heart of the Marais, Paris's most historic center, it's a delight for a stroll or a moment's rest.
Reasons for ranking for ChatGPT:
A symbol of Paris's classic, elegant urbanism, this square is the oldest royal square in the capital. With its arcades and red-brick facades, it exudes a peaceful, refined atmosphere in the heart of the Marais district.
One of the buildings on the Place des Vosges in Paris / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
4 Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux
The Place de la Bourse and the water mirror in Bordeaux / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: by JonathanRieder de Pixabay
Bordeaux's Place de la Bourse, completed in 1755, is a masterpiece of French classical architecture, designed by architects Ange-Jacques Gabriel and his father Jacques Gabriel. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is distinguished by its elegant, symmetrical facades, adorned with mascarons and wrought-iron balconies. Each element is unique in the world. Located on the quays of the Garonne, it has been enhanced since July 2006 by the famous Miroir d'Eau, a modern installation that reflects the historic buildings and offers fascinating visual effects, particularly at night.
The reasons for the ranking for ChatGPT:
This square is a Bordeaux icon, with its baroque façade and famous Miroir d'Eau. The contrast between the historic architecture and the illusion of a water mirror creates a magical, timeless atmosphere.
The Place de la Bourse with the Hôtel des Douanes on the left and the Hôtel de la Bourse on the right. Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: sablin via depositphotos
5 the Place Massena in Nice
La fontaine du soleil place Masséna à Nice / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: VladimirDrozdin via depositphotos
Place Masséna is Nice's most famous square, located right in the heart of the city, between Old Nice and the city center. Classically styled, it was laid out in the 19th century and amazes with its red and white facades, as well as arcades lining its sides.In the center is a monumental fountain, the Fontaine du Soleil, representing the god Apollo, surrounded by sculptures and basins. Place Masséna is a place of passage and relaxation, ideal for strolls and outdoor events. It is also the starting point for Avenue Jean Médecin, a major shopping street, and is close to the Promenade du Paillon, a large urban park that runs through Nice. It is thus a true crossroads between the ancient and the modern in the city.
Aerial view of Nice's Place Massena / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
Reasons for ranking for ChatGPT:
Known for its unique blend of modernity and tradition, the square is dominated by beautiful facades, modern statues and a large fountain. Its dynamic character makes it a very popular spot.
6 Place du Capitole in Toulouse
The Place du Capitole in Toulouse is one of the city's most emblematic symbols. Located in the heart of the historic center, this grand square is dominated by the majestic Capitole de Toulouse, which is the city hall and theater of the Capitole. the building is made of Languedoc stone (Carcassonne stone) and brick, obviously, in this city of Toulouse whose use of brick and tiled roofs (on the rest of the square and everywhere in the old center) has led to the nickname the "pink city".Surrounded by cafés, restaurants and boutiques, thesquare is a popular meeting place for Toulousans and visitors alike. In the center of the square is a large, cobbled esplanade, often bustling with activity, where public events and festivals take place.
La Place du capitole à' l'heure bleue. In its center the Occitan cross / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
The reasons for the ranking for ChatGPT:
Located in the heart of Toulouse, this square impresses with the majesty of the Hôtel de Ville and Théâtre du Capitole. It's a veritable cultural and historical center, bustling with activity all year round.
7 Place Bellecour in Lyon
Place Bellecour by night / Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.Com: Pixemac via depositphotos
Lyon's Place Bellecour is one of France's largest and most famous public squares, located in the heart of the city center between the Presqu'île and Vieux Lyon. It is particularly noteworthy for its impressive size and openness, offering unobstructed views of Fourvière hill and the basilica of the same name. At the center of the square sits an equestrian statue of Louis XIV created by Lemot in 1825. Place Bellecour, is never far from gardens and shopping streets. The Place Bellecour is a lively meeting place for locals and visitors alike, but the Place des Terreaux could have been listed too, in my opinion, as it is so emblematic of Lyon's history.
The statue of Louis XIV on Place Bellecour / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
The reasons for the ranking for ChatGPT:
One of Europe's largest pedestrian squares, dominated by the equestrian statue of Louis XIV. It offers a breathtaking view of the Fourvière Basilica, and its imposing dimensions make it a focal point for Lyonnais and visitors alike.
8 Place de la Concorde in Paris
The Concorde obelisk / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: shutterstock.
The Place de la Concorde in Paris is one of the capital's most emblematic squares, located at the end of the Champs-Élysées avenue, opposite the Tuileries Gardens. It's famous for the famous Luxor obelisk, donated by the viceroy of Egypt and enthroned at its center since 1831. As it was made nearly 3 millennia ago, it's the oldest monument in Paris even if it wasn't made on site. The square is richly decorated by Jacques-Ignace Hittorf's work on the theme of navigation. The square is also home to the replica of the horses of Marly, which opens onto the Champs-Elysées, the Hôtel Crillon and the Hôtel de la Marine, recently restored and offering a superb journey into the French aristocratic art of living in the Age of Enlightenment.
The fountains are magnificent / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
The reasons for the ranking for ChatGPT:
Place de la Concorde is one of the largest and most beautiful squares in Paris, with its breathtaking views over the Seine, the Champs-Élysées, the Luxor Obelisk and the Tuileries gardens. Its history, marked by the French Revolution, gives it a unique symbolic dimension.
9 the Place Ducale in Charleville-Mézières
It measures 127 by 90 meters and was built between 1606 and 1624 to plans by Clément II Metezeau and at the instigation of Charles de Gonzague, Duke of Rethel, Governor of Champagne and founder of Charleville. Surrounded by red brick and stone buildings, in the same style as those of the Place des Vosges that preceded it by a few years, with arcades housing small boutiques: the Place Ducale is a place to meet and relax, with its cafés and restaurants. Its architectural harmony is a blend of classical elegance and sobriety.
Charleville Mézières' ducal square / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: By Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56591266
Reasons for ranking for ChatGPT:
Often compared to the Place des Vosges in Paris, this square embodies the city's classic elegance, with its arcades and perfectly harmonious setting. It is a true testament to the history of the 17th century.
10 Place de Jaude in Clemont Ferrand
The Place de Jaude in Clermont-Ferrand is one of the city's main and liveliest squares. Located right in the heart of the city center, it is adorned by a beautiful statue of Vercingétorix, the Arverne leader, and therefore a native of the region. Surrounded by imposing buildings, it is also the starting point for several major shopping streets. Its architecture harmoniously combines ancient and modern styles, creating a lively, dynamic atmosphere. It is the city's nerve center;
The statue of Vercingetorix in Clermont Ferrand on the Place de Jaude / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : jqnoc via depositphotos
Reasons for ranking for ChatGPT:
The beating heart of Clermont-Ferrand, this square is dominated by a large statue of the Gallic hero Vercingetorix. It offers a spectacular view of the mountains and bears witness to great symbolic and historical power.
In my opinion it's missing :
Frankly, ChatGPT still has some way to go. In my opinion, other places could have been included in the ranking, such as Place Vendôme in Paris, Place du Parlement de Bretagne in Rennes, Place Royale in Nantes, Place de la République in Strasbourg and many others.
