General Information

The Square des Batignolles, which covers 16,615 square metres of land, is the largest green space in the 17th arrondissement. Designed in the naturalistic English-garden style, it lies in the quartier des Batignolles, near the new Parc Clichy-Batignolles.

Additional Information

Square des Batignolles features extensive rolling lawns and a large pond that is fed by a natural stream that courses through the park. The pond is home to large red Japanese carp, known as koi, and over three hundred ducks of various species. In the middle of the pond stands a statue called “Vautours” (Vultures), created by Louis de Monard in 1930. Elsewhere in the Square is a bust of the poet, Léon Dierx (1838–1912), created by Bony de Lavergne two years later.

The square is popular among children. There are several playgrounds, sand-boxes, swings, a carousel with old-fashioned wooden horses, an area for roller skating, and ping-pong tables. There are also areas for adults who wish to play pétanque, or boules.

History: Highlights

Until the early 19th century, the area was a deserted countryside with a few scattered farms. The square was established under the Second Empire, at the request of Baron Haussmann, who fulfilled the desire of Napoleon III to establish several English-style gardens in the capital. In 1860, the emperor annexed the district of Batignolles to Paris.

Design: Highlights

The Square des Batignolles was created by Jean-Charles Alphand, who was the designer of most of the parks built in Paris at this time. Alphand was assisted by engineer Jean Darcel, architect Gabriel Davioud, and horticulturist Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps. The same team had been assembled to design and execute the Bois de Boulogne.

Vegetation: Highlights

For a park of this size, there are surprisingly large undulating lawns here, many paths and a variety of trees. There are over 140-year-old oriental plane trees; a relatively young, still yet to become gigantic, giant sequoia; hazelnut trees from Asia Minor; Siberian elms; Japanese cherry trees; ash trees; willows; black walnuts and others.