Audio GuideSquare du Vert-Galant

Square du Vert-Galant is a delightful park located at the western tip of the Île de la Cité, offering a serene escape along the Seine in Paris. Established in nineteen seventeen from the merging of several smaller islands, this enchanting square is steeped in history. It is intimately linked with King Henry the Fourth, affectionately dubbed Vert-Galant due to his numerous romantic escapades. His bronze equestrian statue stands with pride, gazing across the river from Pont Neuf, serving as a prominent landmark that invites visitors to delve into the historical narrative.

Cesar Fabricio Barrera Acosta

The park is celebrated not only for its royal connection but also for its significant historical ties. A notable association is with the Templar leader Jacques de Molay, connected to a site linked to his demise. The square also hosted a symbolic event in the sixties when a stone from Montreal was placed there in commemoration of Expo Sixty-Seven, highlighting its ongoing cultural vibrancy.

Jennifer

Today, visitors can enjoy a park that has long been a focal point for social and cultural gatherings. In times past, locals would unwind in its bathhouses, while lively café-concerts provided a backdrop of music and conversation. Influential artists and intellectuals drew inspiration from this setting, contributing to the square's enduring legacy in art and photography. Visionaries like painter Camille Pissarro and renowned photographers such as Robert Doisneau captured the park’s distinctive atmosphere, and its scenic beauty even inspired a short film.

Michelle Mitton

The park's natural environment further enhances its appeal. As you walk along, you are enveloped by mature chestnut, maple, and ginkgo trees, their leaves whispering tales of history in the gentle breeze. A Wallace fountain, notable for its push-button feature, offers refreshment and a touch of everyday history to visitors. However, the square lies below the current level of the island, meaning it occasionally experiences flooding when the Seine rises—a testament to the ever-changing nature of this historic site.

Square du Vert-Galant remains a hidden gem within Paris. For tourists in their twenties to forties, it presents an ideal location to pause, absorb some local history, and appreciate the unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage that characterises this special corner of the city.