Place André Malraux

Place André-Malraux lies in Paris's 1st arrondissement and has borne the name of the French writer and politician since 1977. Originally known as Place du Théâtre-Français, the square was created in the 1860s as part of the extension of the Avenue de l'Opéra. Its architecture is a mix of typical Second Empire buildings, now mostly used as offices, and older structures dating from the late 18th century. At the center stand two fountains from 1874, arranged symmetrically on either side of the Avenue de l'Opéra and decorated with sculptures by various artists. To the west, the Comédie-Française borders the Rue de Richelieu, while to the south the Hôtel du Louvre dominates the axis of the square. The site is also historically significant: in 1429, Joan of Arc unsuccessfully attacked the city's fortifications here. During World War II, the Hôtel du Louvre also served as headquarters for an SS unit. Today, the square invites you to take a stroll that brings the elegant architecture and cultural history of the city center to life.