The Place de la Concorde and its neighborhood
This square changed names four different times over the course of 50 years. Starting in the fall of 1789, Place Louis XV, located near the Louvre and the National Assembly, was the political heart of Paris. It was traversed by many demonstrations, including the famous women’s march on October 5, 1789. On August 10, 1792, violent confrontations flared up when the now vanished Tuileries Palace, then occupied by the court and royal family, was stormed. The monarchy’s reign was over. Renamed “Place de la Révolution,” the site hosted large celebrations, as well as many executions: it was here in 1793 and 1794 where Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Danton, as well as many others who remain anonymous, were guillotined. In 1795, it became the “Place de la Concorde”: the Republic of the Directory wanted to put an end to the Revolution. Temporarily baptized Place Louis XVI in 1826, its name was ultimately restored to Place de la Concorde after the revolution of 1830.
Chronology
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October 5, 1789
The Women’s March passes through this square on its way to Versailles -
July 13, 1789
The Royal Treasury is pillaged -
August 9, 1792
Violent fighting breaks out during the storming of the Tuileries. The statue of the king on the Place Louis XV (now Concorde) is destroyed -
September 11-17, 1792
Jewels are stolen from the Royal Treasury -
January 21, 1793
Execution of Louis XVI -
May 11, 1793
The guillotine is set up on the Place de la Révolution (now Concorde) -
August 10, 1793
The Festival of Union is celebrated on the Place de la Révolution : a statue representing Liberty is inaugurated -
October 16, 1793
Execution of Marie-Antoinette -
1794
Ecole Polytechnique moves into the Palais Bourbon -
April 5, 1794
Executions of Camille Desmoulins, Danton and their friends -
June 9, 1794
The guillotine is removed from the Place de la Révolution -
July 28, 1794
The guillotine is temporarily moved back to the Place de la Révolution for the execution of Robespierre -
1798
The deputies leave the indoor riding academy and move into the Palais Bourbon
