Situated on the Ile de la Cite in the middle of Paris, Place Dauphine is a peaceful gem that few visitors may stroll past without a second thought. With its blooming chestnut trees, benches, and soft clang of petanque balls, it provides a rare slice of peace of mind in a busy city. But aside from its beauty, the square also has an odd nickname that has intrigued and amused many: it is called the "sex of Paris."

What makes Place Dauphine so enchanting is the intimate scale and timelessly elegant character it enjoys. Rather than the large, grand boulevards and squares in Paris, this little corner somehow appears snug and tucked away, nestled amidst classical façades and cobblestone paths. On sunny days, light streaming across the stone creates an almost feet-before-the-camera kind of background on which painters, photographers, and writers have cast their spells for centuries.

A Curious Little Secret

Despite the placid tidiness, this square and its playful epithet remain a talking point for those of Parisian quirks. Place Dauphine says a little so much about history, beauty, and dry wit, one tiny secret inscribed for all those crazy enough to wander off the beaten tracks.

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The tale behind this strange nickname is both simple and delightfully strange. The founder of the Surrealist movement, Andre Breton coined the term upon seeing the unusual shape of the square on a map of Paris. There is roughly a rounded-triangle kind of outline to Place Dauphine, which some claim faintly resembles the female figure. With his beautiful irony of whimsy and symbolism, Breton bestowed upon the square the joking title, which has been in use in insurgent circles until today.

Dauphine was designed as an equilateral triangle, and the form subtly resembles a bust of Dauphine-born Marie-Antoinette. Using a bit of whimsy and a lot of allegorical opacity, Breton coined the metaphorical nickname, and it has stuck around in art and literary circles ever after.

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Place Dauphine was placed by King Henri IV early in the 17th century and dedicated to his son, who would be Louis XIII. The peaceful atmosphere it offered, coupled with its location near the centre of Paris, made it a favourite retreat for artists, writers, and even Parisians looking for yet another enclave beyond the theatre of city grandeur.

And yet, the playful nickname ensures that, in spite of the peaceful charm, the square remains a talking point for those who are fascinated by Paris' quirks. Place Dauphine offers an exquisite concoction made of history, beauty, and wry humor-a little secret laid bare for those willing to deviate from the beaten path.