Francia Square, Lima

Francia Square, Lima

Plaza Francia, located in the center of Lima, is an enchanting urban square that blends history, culture, and modern life. Decorated with a wealth of historical elements, picturesque architecture, and a bustling atmosphere, Plaza Francia stands as a symbolic gateway to Lima's past and present, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the city's unique blend of tradition and innovation.

Plaza Francia, a key part of Lima's history, served as a crossroads in pre-Hispanic times. It later housed a Dominican retreat called "La Magdalena" with a baroque church, which tragically burned down. In 1884, the French Congregation of the Sacred Hearts rebuilt the church in neo-Gothic style, featuring spire-shaped towers and a lasting rose window that still adorns the square.

In 1893, a school was founded next to the church by the French religious order of the Sacred Hearts. It became known as Lima's most prestigious institution, teaching prominent families' children and emphasizing French culture and language. Raúl Porras Barrenechea and other notable intellectuals attended. In the early 20th century, the school expanded with a second floor. Father Jorge Dintilhac, the Superior of the Sacred Hearts and a Frenchman, established the Catholic University of Peru on March 24, 1917, within its walls.

In the center of Plaza Francia stands the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French community to commemorate Peru's centenary of independence. Crafted in bronze by René Bertrand-Boutée, the statue portrays a laurel-crowned woman holding a torch in her left hand and a laurel palm in her right. The usage of the torch in this Statue of Liberty draws inspiration from Bartholdi's iconic Statue of Liberty in New York (1876).

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Lima. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Francia Square on Map

Sight Name: Francia Square
Sight Location: Lima, Peru (See walking tours in Lima)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Lima, Peru

Create Your Own Walk in Lima

Create Your Own Walk in Lima

Creating your own self-guided walk in Lima is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Food and Shopping Walk

Food and Shopping Walk

Today's Lima is a large, commerce-booming and tourist-friendly capital, equally rich in terms of ancient culture as well as intricate cuisine and wealth of shopping opportunities suitable for various budgets.

Although in recent years many international brands have found their way to Lima’s stores, the majority of tourists keep looking to street fairs and artisan “Indian” markets...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Miraflores Walking Tour

Miraflores Walking Tour

The district of Miraflores is one of Lima's key tourist destinations, renowned for its affluent setting, upscale shopping, phenomenal oceanic views, seashore restaurants, parks, and interesting archaeological sites. The attractions here are numerous and include, among others, the following:

La Huaca Pucllana – an archaeological complex, featuring a clay pyramid made of seven staggered...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Lima Introduction Walking Tour

Lima Introduction Walking Tour

Lima, the capital of Peru, is a huge, thriving metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities; it was established by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. The carefully preserved city center has retained much of its original colonial character set in the stones of Plaza de Armas – the city's main square, as well as numerous Baroque and Renaissance cathedrals, colonial...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


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