Place Broglie (Broglie Square), Strasbourg

Broglie Square is one of the most important and historic public squares in Strasbourg, located in the city’s ancient centre, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally the site of the medieval horse market, this long, rectangular square stretches about 275 m and has evolved over the centuries from a bustling trading place into a civic and cultural space framed by fine architecture.

Its modern identity began to take shape in the 18th century, when Marshal François-Marie de Broglie, then Governor of Alsace, transformed it into a shaded promenade by planting rows of trees and giving the square his name in 1740. In the early 19th century, the construction of the municipal theatre — now the Opéra national du Rhin — further defined the square’s layout and importance. Today, the surrounding buildings showcase a rich variety of architectural styles, from Renaissance and Rococo to Art Nouveau and Historicism. Notable civic buildings lining the square include the City Hall and the former Bank of France headquarters.

Broglie Square has also been the stage for key moments in French history. It was here, in April 1792, that "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem composed the night before, was first publicly sung in front of the City Hall. Monuments on the square commemorate historical figures and events, such as the Leclerc de Hauteclocque Liberation Monument, erected in 1951, and a statue celebrating "La Marseillaise."

Place Broglie remains a lively focal point of Strasbourg life. It hosts the city’s main outdoor markets on Wednesdays and Fridays and functions as a hub for local commerce. Most famously, it becomes one of the principal sites of Strasbourg’s celebrated Christmas market, held here since the 19th century and drawing crowds every winter with food, crafts, decorations, and a festive atmosphere. Even outside the holiday season, the square’s cafés, grand façades, monuments, and easy access by tram make it a pleasant place to stroll, relax, and absorb the heritage of the historic city.