Squares

Place Broglie

Strasbourg

Place Broglie is a square in Strasbourg named in honor of Marshal François-Marie de Broglie. The name is of Italian origin and is traditionally pronounced breuil, although in Strasbourg it is generally pronounced broglie by local inhabitants. The site was formerly a horse market square known in German as Rossmarkt. In 1740, Marshal François-Marie de Broglie transformed it into a linden-lined promenade, and its present form developed with the construction of the municipal theater between 1804 and 1821 and the filling of the Tanneurs ditch in 1832. The square is bordered by 18th-century mansions and flanked by three rows of plane trees. Two fountains stand in front of the city hall. Place Broglie is also associated with major historical events, including the first public performance of La Marseillaise in April 1792 in front of Strasbourg city hall. The main Strasbourg Christmas market is held there during the Christmas period.

Map showing the location of Place Broglie in Strasbourg
Location of Place Broglie in Strasbourg

Nearby Objects

Name and Pronunciation

Place Broglie was named in honor of Marshal Francois-Marie de Broglie. The name Broglie is of Italian origin. According to traditional French pronunciation, it is ordinarily pronounced breuil, although in Strasbourg the place name is generally pronounced broglie by its inhabitants.

History and Layout of Place Broglie

Place Broglie was formerly a horse market square known in German as the Rossmarkt. In 1740, Marshal Francois-Marie de Broglie transformed it into a linden-lined promenade in Strasbourg. The square took its current form with the construction of the municipal theater between 1804 and 1821, and its shape was further influenced by the filling in of the Tanneurs ditch in 1832. It is bordered by 18th-century mansions and flanked by three rows of plane trees. Two fountains stand in front of the city hall on the square. During the Christmas period, Place Broglie hosts the main Strasbourg Christmas market, giving the site a recurring public role beyond its historic setting.

Historical Monuments and Revolutionary Memory

Place Broglie has a strong historical connection with La Marseillaise and with several later commemorative works. According to the Historique, the French national anthem was first played on the square in April 1792. Rouget de Lisle wrote La Marseillaise in Strasbourg on the night of 25 to 26 April 1792 and presented it to mayor Baron Philippe-Frederic de Dietrich at his residence on Place Broglie. The anthem was then first publicly played on the square in front of Strasbourg city hall. The painting showing this presentation is kept in the Strasbourg Museum of Fine Arts.

The square also reflects changing political periods through its names and monuments. In 1793 revolutionary authorities renamed it Place de l Egalite until 1810, and between 1940 and 1945 National Socialist authorities renamed it Adolf-Hitler Platz. A music kiosk was built there in 1833 and later moved in 1900 to Contades park, where it still remains. During the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, the Vater Rhein fountain was installed at the end of the square in front of the opera, then removed and given to Munich in exchange for the Meiselocker fountain after Strasbourg returned to France.

Commemorative sculpture has also marked the site. The La Marseillaise statue by Alfred Marzolff was inaugurated on 14 July 1922 in the city hall gardens by mayor Jacques Peirotes, with medallions of Philippe-Frederic de Dietrich and Rouget de Lisle. The statue was destroyed by the Nazis during the Second World War, then reconstructed on 22 September 1981 at its original location by the sculptors of the Foundation of the Oeuvre Notre-Dame. Other political and military memory is present as well: Charles de Gaulle delivered his Strasbourg speech from the city hall on 22 September 1944, and the Marshal Leclerc monument by Georges Saupique was inaugurated on 23 September 1951 on the square.

Christkindelsmarkt at Place Broglie

Each year at Christmas, Place Broglie hosts the Christkindelsmarik, the famous Strasbourg Christmas market. Organized by the city of Strasbourg since 1570, the market was originally held at the foot of the cathedral, on the forecourt and on Place du Chateau. It was later moved first to Place Kleber and then to Place Broglie from 1870. Tourisme describes the Christkindelsmarik at Place Broglie as the most important and emblematic Christmas market in Strasbourg. The market brings together hundreds of artisans who offer local culinary specialties, including Bredle or Bredela, small traditional cakes prepared during Advent. In addition to this market, several other Christmas markets, often thematic, are held throughout the city center of Strasbourg.