Place de Catalogne square in Paris
The Place de Catalogne is a modern square in the Montparnasse area of Paris, which was named after the area that the architect came from who designed the square and the buildings surrounding it.
About Place de Catalogne
The Place de Catalogne means Plaza de Cataluna in Spanish or Catalonia Square in English and was inaugurated in 1985 with this name, which was dedicated to the renowned urban planner and Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, who came from that area of Spain.
You will find that the square was part of a major urban project that was put in place in the 1980s to construct new offices, apartments, and other social aspects within the Montparnasse area in Paris.
And this project was named ZAC Jean Zay after a French politician and a major figure in the Resistance during World War II, but he also known for implementing laws such as compulsory schooling and even planning the Cannes film festival, as he was the minister of education and fine arts.
Anyway, getting back to this square in Paris, the Place de Catalogne is surrounded by two large buildings designed by Ricardo Bofill in a neoclassical baroque styling with columns and pediments in a semi circular shape that were constructed between 1983 and 1986. And in 1988 it saw the completion of two other buildings that met these, which were designed by the architect Marice Nrarina.
The Place de Catalogne is also a major intersection for different streets including the Rue du Commandant Mouchotte and the Rue Jean Zay and within the centre of the square you will find a large fountain.
The fountain itself was designed by Shamai Haber which looks like an enormous disc, that is made of a dark coloured granite and being slightly tilted at an angle, this allows the water to flow over and run off down the sides decorated with small tiles, which provides a really unusual effect.
Visiting Place de Catalogne in Paris
You will find the Place de Catalogne located close to landmarks in Paris such as the Tour Montparnasse Tower, which is the only skyscraper in the city and the Montparnasse cemetery, along with the Jardin Atlantique, which is home to museums such as the Musee Jean Moulin.
And located in the 14th Arrondissement it is also close to places such as the Fondation Cartier along with numerous entertainment venues and restaurants in Paris such as the Petit Journal Jazz Club and the Millesimes 62, not forgetting the Hotel Concorde Montparnasse with Le Wenge bar and restaurant that is located on the square itself.
Now when it comes to public transport in Paris, the nearest actual Metro station is the Gaite stop via line 13. However the Gare Montparnasse train station is also located close by and provides access to another metro station servicing lines 4, 6, 12 and 13 along with the RER and high speed trains going to other parts of France and European cities.
