Place de Furstenberg

On our way to the church Saint-Germain-des Prés, I would propose a stop at one of the smallest – and nicest – squares in Paris, Place de Furstenberg. Once again, this is a very calm place, where you can find some exclusive shops and art galleries.(The negative side of taking photos during the winter months is that the leaves on the trees are missing; the positive side is that you can see buildings which in a couple of weeks will be hidden.)

The name of the place comes from William Egon von Fürstenberg, who had been archbishop, cardinal etc. and ended up his career at the Abbey of Saint-Germain where he died in 1704.

In one of the corners, you will see an arch (top photo). If you use it, you will reach an inner court, where you will find the apartment where Eugène Delacroix spent his last years and died in 1863 (bottom left on the patchwork). Today it’s his museum.

I show here a famous self portrait of Eugène and the “Liberty Leading the People” which you can find at the Louvre (and, in copy, at Versailles).

The place has been painted by many artists, including, among more recent ones, Salvador Dali and David Hockney. It has also frequently been used in cinema.

I put a few of these pictures on my photo blog.