Refurbishing the French Republic [I mean the square]...

Designed to provide a more pleasant living area and improve the overall quality of
of the environment, the renovation of the iconic place de la République just begun
with its completion expected in spring 2013.

So far the 60% of space was dedicated to car traffic - the future sharing of public space
will be more balanced and pedestrians will enjoy a central plaza with trees, a basin
surrounding the statue and two water mirrors.


But the square, its name and the statue itself have their own story. (check it HERE)

Representing the French motto 'Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité', the statue was inaugurated
on July 14, 1883, replacing the fountain built in 1811 and enlarged in 1865 as well as
the square, whose name was at that time Place du Chateau d'Eau.
(see the Haussmann urban planning).

Finally, in 1889, the Place du Chateau d'Eau was renamed and took its current name
and... reputation!

(Credit: Roswitha Guillemin & Yann Foreix).

(by bananiacool)
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As for refurbishing the French Republic... the time is ripe for a change and major
operations are in progress!