“A Prefect of Police deserves a Place,” they said. That’s how Place Louis Lépine got its name. It honors Louis Lépine. He was a famous Prefect of Police in Paris.
Place Louis Lépine sits in Paris’s 4th arrondissement. It is on the Île de la Cité. The square is bordered by several streets. Rue de la Cité is to the east. Rue de Lutèce is to the south. Rue Aubé lies to the west. Quai de la Corse is to the north. Allée Célestin-Hennion crosses the square.
The square’s story goes back before Louis Lépine. Before the Revolution parts of other streets were here. Segments of Rue de la Pelleterie were here. Also, parts of Rue Gervais-Laurent existed here. Even the Église Sainte-Croix de la Cité was once found here.
Place Louis Lépine is home to the Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II. This is a flower and bird market. It is a vibrant place. The market has operated since 1830. In fact, the market was renamed for Queen Elizabeth II. It was renamed during her last visit to France.
The flower market is open Monday to Saturday. Its hours are 8 AM to 7:30 PM. On Sundays, it transforms. It becomes a bird market. The bird market is open from 8 AM to 7 PM. Entry to the market is free. Flower and bird prices do vary.
Two Wallace fountains grace the square. These fountains are historic landmarks. They are the only ones in the city with such protection.
Several important buildings surround Place Louis Lépine. The Tribunal de Commerce stands here. It was built between 1860 and 1865. Antoine-Nicolas Bailly was the architect. Napoleon III commissioned the building. He wanted it to resemble the Brescia city hall in Italy. The building stands where the Église Saint-Barthélemy once stood.
The Prefecture of Police is another key building. It has been here since 1871. Pierre-Victor Calliat built it from 1863 to 1867. It was originally a barracks for the Garde Républicaine. Baron Haussmann initiated its construction. The building is on the site of the old Abbaye Saint-Martial.
The Hôtel-Dieu is also near Place Louis Lépine. It is the oldest hospital in Paris. The current buildings were built from 1866 to 1878. Arthur-Stanislas Diet designed them.
Visiting Place Louis Lépine offers a deep dive into Parisian life. You can wander through the flower market. You can explore nearby landmarks. Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral is a short walk away. Sainte-Chapelle is also close. It is known for its stained glass. The Conciergerie is another nearby site. It was once a royal palace and prison.
To best enjoy Place Louis Lépine, visit early. The market is less crowded then. Do not forget your camera. The cast-iron pavilions and flowers are beautiful. They provide great photo opportunities.
So, remember Louis Lépine. He was a Prefect of Police. He helped shape Paris. His legacy lives on in this lively square. Place Louis Lépine.