The Place des Vosges, situated in the Marais district in the heart of Paris, is the oldest planned square in the city. Its history dates back to the early 17th century, when it was commissioned by King Henry IV in 1605. Originally known as Place Royale, the square was a testament to the King's ambition to modernize Paris. The square's name, "Place des Vosges", came about after the French Revolution. It was named in honor of the Vosges department, the first to pay taxes supporting a campaign of the French Revolutionary army. The Place des Vosges, inaugurated in 1612 with a grand carrousel to celebrate the wedding of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, is the prototype of all the residential squares of European cities that were to come. The square is built in a symmetrical square plan—a trend started by the Place des Vosges. The architecture of the houses surrounding the square is uniform; all are built of red brick with strips of stone quoins over vaulted arcades that stand on square pillars. The steeply pitched blue slate roofs are pierced with discreet small-paned dormers above the pedimented dormers that stand upon the cornices. Only the north side was built with the vaulted ceilings that the "galleries" were meant to have. The Place des Vosges hosts the Maison de Victor Hugo, a state-owned museum dedicated to the famous French writer who lived there from 1832 to 1848. The house exhibits the writer's drawings, manuscripts, and furniture. Visitors can also see the preserved original apartments where Hugo wrote parts of Les Misérables. The central park of the square, adorned with beautiful fountains and lined with linden trees, offers a serene escape from the bustling city. During the summer, it's common to see locals and tourists alike enjoying picnics or relaxing on the park benches. Despite its age, the Place des Vosges remains a vibrant and important part of Paris. Its unique blend of history, architecture, and culture makes it a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to the City of Lights.