Right ahead of you, you’ll spot Place Hugues-Plomb by its large circular fountain with a sculpted figure on top, surrounded by leafy trees and historic buildings-the gentle splash of water is a giveaway if your eyes need help!
Now, picture this: over two centuries ago, you wouldn’t be standing in a bustling square at all, but treading through the lush gardens of an ancient abbey. In 1790, the gardens vanished and the site became known as the Place de la Liberté-a fitting name for those revolutionary days. The edge of the square once hugged the grand Notre-Dame church, the old town hall, and even the city’s police station, all tucked inside the former abbey’s walls. Fast-forward, and you can imagine the sound of cobblestones being laid down in 1844, transforming muddy pathways into the elegant setting beneath your feet. But the square’s real star showed up in 1863-thanks to a generous citizen named Legée-Laherte, the very fountain gurgling before you became its centerpiece, and it’s been cooling sun-weary travellers ever since! The square nearly changed forever after a certain Mr. Hugues Plomb offered an eye-popping million francs to build a new city hall, but the First World War tossed all those plans upside-down. Today, you’re surrounded by stories-look around for the post office built in 1923, the historic Saint-Martin portal, and the Simone Veil library. You’re right in Épernay’s memory box, with every splash echoing a different tale!
