Place de la Concorde is a major public square in Paris, known for its historic fountains and central position along the Champs-Élysées. The term refers to the square itself, not a generic place. In French, it combines a definite article-based name with an abstract noun, reflecting its origin as a place of concord and harmony among the people and cities of France. The phrase is used as a proper noun and typically kept in French in non-English contexts.
"We met at Place de la Concorde before heading to the Louvre."
"The Place de la Concorde hosts the famous fountains and obelisk."
"Tour guides often begin the stroll there, then walk toward the Tuileries Garden."
"When you say the name in Paris, locals will recognize the square immediately."
Place de la Concorde is a French proper noun formed from three components: Place (square, public space), de la (of the), and Concorde (concord, harmony). Concorde derives from Latin concordia, via Old French concorde, meaning agreement or harmony. The naming reflects the 18th–19th century French tradition of naming public spaces to convey political or civic ideals. The square was originally called Place Louis XV, renamed Place de la Révolution during the French Revolution, and later became Place de la Concorde in 1795 to honor national concord after revolutionary upheavals. The current English usage preserves the French phonology and capitalization, and is typically pronounced with a French sguttural initial and liaison-like linking between words. First known use in this context appears in late 18th century city plans and maps; the name survived through the nineteenth century as a marker of national unity and urban identity in Paris, remaining a central landmark to this day.
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Words that rhyme with "Place De La Concorde"
-rde sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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In clean, formal pronunciation: /pleɪs də lɑ̃.kɔ̃.dɔʁ/ (US) or /pleɪs də lə kɒ̃.dɔːk/ (UK). Stress falls on Place and Concorde: PLACE de la CONCORDE. Note the nasal vowel in Concorde (õ̃ in French). Mouth position: start with a rounded lips for /pleɪs/, then neutral vowel /də/; lips relaxed for the French nasal /ɑ̃/ in la, with the tongue high and back for the /kɔ̃/ part, finishing with a clear /dɔʁ/ or /dɔːk/ depending on accent. For listening practice, try audio references from Pronounce or YouGlish and repeat slowly, then at natural speed.
Common errors: treating Concorde with a hard English “or” like /ɔː/ instead of the French nasal /ɔ̃/. Another error is linking the words too loosely in rapid speech, making de la sound like one syllable; ensure the /də/ and /la/ are distinct. Also, Anglicizing the final /dɔʁ/ to /dɔː/ or dropping the final ‘e’ sound. Correct by practicing the nasal vowels, isolating each word, and using a mirror to monitor lip rounding and jaw position.
US pronounces with less rounding in vowels and tends to stiffen the final /ɔːɡ/ as /ɔː/; UK maintains closer French vowels but often reduces the /də/ to /də/ lightly; AU tends to flatten rhoticity and may soften vowels. The nasal /ɔ̃/ in Concorde is more pronounced in French; English speakers may approximate it but shouldn’t omit it. Focus on keeping nasality of /ɔ̃/ and a soft, French-like /ʁ/ or /ɔʁ/ for final syllable depending on speaker. Use IPA cues to guide cross-accent practice.
The main challenges are the French nasal vowel /ɔ̃/ in /kɔ̃.dɔʁ/ and the liaison-like rhythm between words (de la). The final 'e' in Concorde is often silent in English contexts but French speakers may still lengthen or govern the /dɔʁ/ with a pronounced final fricative. The consonant cluster /kɔ̃.dɔʁ/ requires precise articulation of the oral nasal and the uvular /ʁ/. Stress pattern (Place and Concorde) helps anchor the phrase; misplacing stress changes perceived meaning.
The nasal vowel in Concorde is the most distinctive feature; additionally, the phrase has a rapid, multiword cadence where the French rhythm often links de-la with light vowels and a softer 'r' in Concorde. The final syllable often carries a hint of a French uvular /ʁ/ or a glottal approximation in English contexts. You’ll hear a slightly clipped, formal rhythm in guided tours, and more relaxed pronunciation in conversational settings.
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