Square des Batignolles

Square des Batignolles was created in the style of a landscape park, which seeks to imitate natural Nature, with a supreme harmony of chaotic balance, winding paths, lawns and water features, giving the impression that the area is almost untouched by man. The park was commissioned by Napoleon III and designed by Baron Haussmann, and realized by Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand, with the assistance of the engineer Jean Darcel, the architect Gabriel Davioud and the horticulturist Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps. The creation of the park dates back to the Second Empire, and it was established in 1862 on a site that was previously described as a "vast wasteland." Historically, the area was rural, with scattered farms, and in 1860, the Batignolles district was annexed to Paris. The name "Batignolles" may be derived from the Latin word "batillus" (meaning "mill") or the Provençal word "bastidiole" (meaning "small farmhouse"). The park is preserved in the style of Osman-Alphand, with characteristic bridges, plant-motif structures and artificial rocks. The park has a large pond fed by a natural stream that flows through the park. The pond is home to large red Japanese koi carp and over three hundred ducks of various species. In the center of the pond is the statue "Vautours" (Vultures) by Louis de Monard from 1930. The park also features a bust of the poet Léon Dierx (1838-1912) by Boni de Laverne, dating from 1932. The park is known for its diverse vegetation, including four hybrid sycamores (Platanus Hispanica) planted in 1840 and 1880, one of which reaches 5.90 m in girth and is one of the largest in Paris. Purple beech (Fagus sylvatica, Fagus purpurea), Gleditsia triacanthos from North America, Chinese willow 'Spiralis' (Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'), Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna), ash trees with aucuba leaves (Fraxinus aucubaefolia), Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki), lemon also grow here. trifolia (Citrus limon) and young giant sequoia. There is a glassed pavilion that serves as a greenhouse for a tropical palm tree. The park is popular among families with children, as it features several playgrounds, sandboxes, swings, and a carousel with old-fashioned wooden horses. For adults, there are areas for playing petanque (boules). The park is mentioned in Yves Duteil's popular song "Les Batignolles" (1976). The park is open daily, with operating hours depending on the season. The park is considered a quiet and peaceful place, a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city, with a picturesque stream, waterfall, and pond where you can watch ducks. Visitors sometimes have picnics, read, or simply relax on the benches. The park is appreciated for its historical atmosphere and botanical diversity. We discovered that there is an interesting exhibition at the entrance to the park, dedicated to French cinema and the Gaumont film studio.

Enjoyed our time hanging out and strolling through the square des batognolles park. Across from the train station so very convenient. Carousel and little snack stand. Places to sit and paths to jog. The water features were a bit stagnant at this time and there is a stream that flows through it. Petanque courts near the metro side.

A very compact, but pretty park with frequently refreshed flower plantings. Plenty of seats around the lake, which is always a fun place to with kids!

If you love park with big trees and canal this park is made for you. Beautiful nature, lovely ducks, kid play grounds, sand area for kids! Perfect place for family

I am from USA but have had the great fortune to travel a lot. In all my travels this is the best family park I have ever seen!!! If I lived here I would sit here for a while every night! So may wonderful families, old, young, children, everyone!!

An absolute dream! Full disclosure, I love ducks and wildlife, especially when in different countries so that makes this right up my alley. This part does not allow dogs because they have a variety of ducks that hang around. The atmosphere is great, it's a smaller park and most people were enjoying a casual lunch on a bench. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Such a lovely place to spend some time. Not the biggest one but it is so peaceful, a lot of bench’s to sit and a kids park. I really liked it and it is so quiet and pretty

This is a true gem! Right in the centre of Paris, a real garden in hidden. Full of colourful flowers, ducks and greenery. You can sit on the grass or event play games. For kids there is also a lovely go-around. Close to cafes and the RER station. Worth a few moments of your time - since it is quite small, if you're in a hurry it won't take you more than 10 minutes to walk through it. Really nice discovery.