Plaza Francia (Caracas)

France Square

For similarly named public space in Recoleta, Buenos Aires, see Plaza Francia (Buenos Aires)

Plaza Francia (France Square in Spanish), also known as "Plaza Altamira", is a public space located in Altamira, east Caracas. It was built at the beginning of the decade 1940s and opened in August 11, 1945 with the original name of "Plaza Altamira", later its name changed due to an agreement between the cities of Caracas and Paris to have a Venezuela Square in Paris and a France Square in Caracas. This square was designed by town planner Luis Roche within the project of "Altamira neighborhood", a wealthy district of Chacao municipality in Miranda States.

In France Square stand out the obelisk, (which is one of the landmarks of Caracas), the water mirror and a fountain that falls till the bottom of the square which has turned into a small shopping center and the main entrance of Altamira subway station.

In 2002 this square became the place where lots of people congregate against the president at the time, Hugo Chavez, in a very big national strike known as "Paro Petrolero"

References

Landmarks of Caracas
Museums	Alejandro Otero Museum Birthplace of Simón Bolívar Bolivarian Museum Children's Museum Fine Arts Museum La Estancia Art Center National Art Gallery National Pantheon Science Museum Simón Bolívar Center Soto Sphere
Religion	Bet-El Synagogue Tiféret Israel Synagogue Caracas Cathedral Iglesia de San Francisco La Chiquinquirá Church Mosque of Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim Church of St. Constantine and Helena Caracas Venezuela Temple
Culture and sport	Brígido Iriarte Stadium Caracas Athenaeum Estadio Olímpico Estadio Universitario La Rinconada Hippodrome National Library National Theater Poliedro de Caracas Teatro Municipal Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex University City
Government	Miraflores Palace Palacio de Justicia de Caracas Palacio de las Academias Palacio Federal Legislativo Palacio Municipal de Caracas Supreme Tribunal of Justice
Other	Aerial Tramway Carmelitas Post Office Centro Sambil Centro San Ignacio El Calvario El Hatillo El Silencio Humboldt Hotel La Casona La Pastora Las Mercedes Los Caobos Park Los Conductores del País Mural Monument to the National Heroes Metro Nuevo Circo Parque Central Complex Parque del Este Plaza Bolívar Plaza Francia Plaza Venezuela Quinta de Anauco Villa Planchart Yellow House

Coordinates: 10°29′47″N 66°50′56″W / 10.4964°N 66.8490°W / 10.4964; -66.8490