Audio GuideSquare Louise Michel

Nestled on the slopes of Montmartre, Square Louise Michel is a green haven that welcomes visitors from every corner of the globe. Spread across several acres, this gently terraced park unfolds beneath the striking domes of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, one of Paris’s best-known churches, creating an inviting space that blends gardens, history, and art.

Peter Krom

The square’s story began in the late nineteenth century on the site of a former gypsum quarry. First called Square Saint-Pierre, it was later named Square Willette and finally, in the early two-thousands, was renamed to honor Louise Michel—a teacher, writer, and a famous leader in the Paris Commune, who dedicated her life to social equality. Her legacy is celebrated within the park, including pathways named to remember those who endured the aftermath of the Commune.

Francoise Demaret

Landscape designer Adolphe Alphand and architect Paul Abadie played important roles in shaping not just this park but many other green spaces and buildings across Paris. Their vision created inviting lawns, flower beds, and shaded walkways. Climbing the wide, tree-lined stairs and ramps—over two hundred steps—you move from colorful lower gardens up through sunlit terraces, each offering sweeping city views.

Steve G

The centerpiece is the neoclassical fountain by Paul Gasq, where mythical sea creatures decorate three arches. Cascading water flows from sculpted bowls, gathering in a grand basin and sending a fresh, cool energy through the upper terrace. Nearby, the Montmartre funicular glides up the hillside, making the climb easy for all.

Little ones often gather at the vintage carousel at the foot of the park, its hand-carved horses spinning in ornate style. The Allée de l'Île-des-Pins and several rare old trees invite peaceful pauses along winding paths. Benches, resting areas, and broad lawns make this a beloved spot for picnics or quiet afternoons.

Square Louise Michel is not just a shortcut to Sacré-Cœur, but a living canvas of Parisian life, offering culture, history, and some of the most beautiful panoramas in north Paris.