Audio GuideSquare des Batignolles

Naturalistic city park with sport facilities such as a skate park, pond habitats & sunbathing areas.

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Square des Batignolles is a charming urban park located in Paris's seventeenth arrondissement. Originally referred to as Place de la Promenade, it transformed from an area used for storing demolition rubble into a welcoming park in the mid-nineteenth century. This change took on greater importance after the Batignolles district became part of Paris in the eighteen sixties, when the park was enhanced with an ironwork fence, and affluent residents began constructing holiday homes.

The park's design is influenced by the British garden style that was fashionable during the Second Empire under Napoleon the Third, with Adolphe Alphand and his team at the helm. The landscape includes gentle mounds, a grotto, a river, a waterfall, and a small lake, all crafted to bring the charm of the English countryside into the heart of the bustling city.

Artistic and decorative elements are sprinkled throughout the square. Visitors can spot modern concrete bridges, faux rock formations similar to those in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and significant public sculptures, including the stone piece Les Vautours and a bust honouring the poet Léon Dierx.

Square des Batignolles has also been a source of inspiration for artists and musicians. Painters such as Albert André and Édouard Vuillard have captured its atmosphere, and the renowned singer Barbara, who was born nearby and has an avenue named after her, has infused its spirit into her music.

Nature holds a special place here. Ancient hybrid plane trees, a majestic Caucasian walnut, and other exotic trees provide a calming canopy. The park is home to ducks, swans, geese, and even a managed flock of pigeons, while educational programmes encourage visitors to appreciate urban wildlife.

This combination of historical urban development, art, and nature creates a peaceful and culturally rich retreat for both locals and visitors.

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