Colonne and Place Vendôme

This square is home to the Colonne Vendôme (Victory Column), which is a 44-meter bronze column erected in 1810. Inspired by Trajan’s column in Rome, it was cast using the bronze from 1,200 cannons the French seized from Russian and Austrian armies. It is decorated with bas-reliefs that represent trophies. The square itself was constructed in 1686 under orders from King Louis XIV and is also the starting point for the Rue de la Paix.