In the heart of Paris’s 1st arrondissement, the Vendôme Column towers over the elegant Place Vendôme, surrounded by luxury jewelers and the iconic Ritz Hotel. Inspired by Rome’s Trajan’s Column, it stands 44.3 m tall with a diameter of 3.6 m, adorned with 425 bronze plates made from cannons seized from Austrian and Russian armies at Austerlitz.
Ordered by Napoleon I, construction began in 1806 and was completed in 1810 under architects Jean-Baptiste Lepère and Jacques Gondouin, reflecting classical influences. The column’s statue has changed over time: replaced by a fleur-de-lis flag in 1814, then by a “little corporal” figure in 1833 under Louis-Philippe, before reverting to a Roman emperor.

During the Paris Commune in 1871, the column was toppled on April 16 as a symbol of imperial power. Under the Third Republic, painter Gustave Courbet was fined to fund its reconstruction, completed in 1875 with Auguste Dumont’s statue (a replica of the 1863 version).

Today a classified historical monument, the column draws tourists and history enthusiasts. Visitors admire the spiral reliefs depicting the Battle of Austerlitz, military trophies, and the statue of Napoleon as a Roman emperor, standing 3.5 m tall. Though interior access is not allowed, it is fully visible 24/7, year-round .

The atmosphere is that of a historic landmark bathed in luxury, frequented by international visitors, art lovers, couples, and history buffs. Surroundings include chic cafés, galleries, and prestigious hotels — perfect for memorable day or night photography.

Fun tidbits: Karl Marx famously predicted its fall in 1871 . Restoration campaigns, including a 2017–18 refurbishment funded by the Ritz Hotel, have revitalized the bronze reliefs and gilding . Practical info: reach via metro Opéra (lines 3,7,8), Tuileries (line 1) or RER A at Auber; suggested parking at Q-Park on rue Danielle Casanova (~400 m).