Place Ducale

A jewel of 17th-century town planning, Place Ducale in Charleville-Mézières was built by Charles de Gonzague on the model of Place des Vosges in Paris, of which it is the “sister”.

Getting there

By train: Charleville-Mézières station, a 10-minute walk away.

History

Designed around 1611 by Clément Métezeau, brother of the architect of the Parisian Place Royale, it is lined with arcaded brick-and-stone pavilions.

Culture & stories

Bustling with cafés and markets, it hosts the World Festival of Puppet Theatres. Charleville is also the birthplace of Arthur Rimbaud.

Location