Audio GuideSquare des Batignolles

Square des Batignolles is a delightful urban green space found in Paris’ seventeenth arrondissement. Originally known as Place de la Promenade, it transformed from a wasteland used to store demolition materials into a welcoming park in one thousand eight hundred fifty. This evolution became even more significant after the Batignolles district was incorporated into Paris in one thousand eight hundred sixty, when an ironwork fence was added and upscale residents began building secondary homes.

Roberta V

The park’s design draws on the British garden style popular during the Second Empire under Napoléon the Third, engineered by Adolphe Alphand and his team. The landscape features gentle mounds punctuated by a grotto, a river, a cascade, and a small lake, all intended to evoke the charm of the English countryside within a bustling city.

TouKhen

Artistic and decorative touches are sprinkled throughout the square. Visitors will notice modern concrete bridges, faux rock formations reminiscent of those at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and notable public sculptures including the stone piece Les Vautours and a bust commemorating the poet Léon Dierx.

Diman Prrok

Square des Batignolles has also inspired artists and musicians. Painters such as Albert André and Édouard Vuillard have captured its ambiance, and the celebrated singer Barbara, born nearby and honored with her own avenue, has woven its spirit into her music.

Mickaël Maia

Nature plays an essential role here. Centuries-old hybrid plane trees, a proud Caucasian walnut, and other exotic species create a soothing canopy. The park is home to ducks, swans, geese, and even a managed colony of pigeons, while educational programs help visitors appreciate urban wildlife.

This blend of historical urban development, art, and nature makes Square des Batignolles a serene and culturally rich haven for both locals and visitors alike.