Square des Batignolles, Ile De France Travel Guide

Square des Batignolles, nestled in Paris's 17th arrondissement, provides a charming escape from the city's energetic pace. Spanning over 16,615 square meters (approximately 4 acres), this verdant park is the largest green space in the Batignolles district. Designed in the naturalistic English garden style, it embodies serenity and beauty, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its tranquil ambiance.Created under the Second Empire, the park reflects Napoleon III's fondness for English gardens, a taste he acquired during his exile in England. He entrusted Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand, along with other experts, to bring this vision to life. Alphand, also known for his work on other Parisian parks like Parc des Buttes Chaumont and Parc Montsouris, ensured that Square des Batignolles captured the essence of an English landscape garden. The park officially opened in 1862 after the Batignolles district was annexed to Paris in 1860.The park boasts a diverse collection of trees and plants, including oriental plane trees over 140 years old, a giant sequoia, and various other species. A stream meanders through the park, feeding a large pond that is home to Japanese koi carp and numerous ducks. In the middle of the pond stands a statue called 'Vautours' (Vultures) by Louis de Monard. You can also find a bust of the poet Léon Dierx within the Square.Square des Batignolles is a popular destination for families, offering several playgrounds, sandboxes, a carousel, and ping-pong tables. Adults can enjoy areas for playing pétanque, a traditional French game. The park's blend of recreational facilities and natural beauty makes it an ideal spot for a relaxing afternoon.