Place des Petits-Pères: A Charming Square in the 2nd Arrondissement

Last Updated on 21st July 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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One of the more charming little squares in the French Capital that makes you feel as if you’ve stepped straight back in time into the Paris of old is the Place des Petits-Pères in the second arrondissement.

Home to Haussmannian façades and plenty of cobblestones, my favourite time of the day to visit is at dusk when the sounds of animated chatter and clinking glasses fills the air.

If you want a spot to sit, stop, and watch the world go by for a little while (one of the best ways to enjoy the second arrondissement like a local), then you can sit on one of the benches in the centre of the square to relax.

Often overshadowed by its larger and more illustrious neighbour, Place des Victoires, the little square boasts cafés spilling out onto the street, a simple church, and a nearby entrance to Galerie Vivienne, one of the most ornate of the covered passages in Paris.

A history of Place des Petits-Pères

The story of Place des Petits-Pères dates back to 1805 and the square is named for a former Augustinian convent in Paris which influenced the entire area and whose central courtyard was once located where the square now is.

The name itself derives from the fact that the Augustinian monks were nicknamed the ‘Petits-Pères’ i.e. the ‘Little Fathers’. The Convent was abolished during the French Revolution and its buildings were confiscated.

For a while, they were used as the town hall for the 3rd arrondissement. All of this changed in 1850, when the buildings were used as barracks to house soldiers. Eventually, the buildings were demolished altogether.

Highlights of Place des Petits-Pères

Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Victoires de Paris

Truth be told, one of the first buildings that you’ll notice upon entering the square is the Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Victoires de Paris. This church is all that remains of the former Augustinian Convent and is one of five minor basilicas scattered across Paris.

The edifice was constructed between 1629 and 1740 and is now perhaps best-known for being the final resting place of Baroque composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, who was buried at the church in 1687.

Le Moulin de la Vierge

The cute Parisian bakery oozes charm and sells all of the classically French boulangerie products that you expect from such an establishment: crunchy baguettes, flaky croissants, and buttery vienoisseries are all on the menu here.

Dammann Frères

Though a little more corporate than some of the other more boutique tea shops in Paris, Dammann Frères was established in 1925 to sell luxury tea. Today there are several branches across the city and you can purchase some tea to take home with you if you’re looking for an edible souvenir from France.