Place Ducale - Charleville-Mézières

The square has some similarities with the Place des Vosges in Paris, because their architects were brothers: Louis Métezeau designed the Place Royale in Paris in 1607 and Clément Métezeau designed the Place Ducale in 1606.

The Place Ducale in Charleville-Mézières is the main square of the town . It was built thanks to Charles de Gonzague, the nephew of Henri IV, Duke of Nevers and Duke of Rethel, Governor of Champagne, who financed its construction.

Despite the similarities, the Place Ducale in Charleville (120m by 90m), unlike the Place des Vosges in Paris, has no central strip and the esplanade is entirely paved. A fountain has been installed in the centre of the square to keep the area clear on market days. Like many royal squares of this period, harmony and symmetry prevailed in the design. The rule of four is respected in the alignment of the pavilions, with each building having four bays on each floor and four dormers on the roof. Many of the buildings retain their original architecture.

Reminiscent of the Roman forum (administrative, religious and economic centre of Roman cities whose secondary axes are perpendicular to the cardo and decumanus, giving a chessboard plan), this is the point where four streets meet. The square is surrounded by 27 pavilions.

Willem Vandenameele