The Batignolles Square

In the early 1800s, the area where Square des Batignolles now stands was mostly uninhabited, dotted with a few farms. This changed under the Second Empire, when Baron Haussmann, heeding Napoleon III's preference for English-style gardens—a taste he developed during his exile in England—initiated the creation of such gardens in Paris.

The Square des Batignolles was brought to life by Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand, working alongside engineer Jean Darcel, architect Gabriel Davioud, and horticulturist Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps. This team, known for their work on the Bois de Boulogne, transformed what was once a barren land into the square.

In 1860, Napoleon III incorporated Batignolles into Paris, and two years later, Alphand, who had a significant role in designing Paris's parks at the time, including Parc des Buttes Chaumont and Parc Montsouris, completed Square des Batignolles.

Today, the Parisian mayor strives to preserve the Square in its original Haussmann-Alphand style, characterized by small bridges, concrete with plant motifs, and faux rocks resembling stratified layers, similar to those in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

The name "Batignolles" possibly originates from the Latin term "batillus", which translates to "mill". Alternatively, it might come from the Provençal term "bastidiole", which signifies "small farmhouse".

The Square des Batignolles is crafted in the style of an English garden, a concept popularized by the famed English landscape architect Capability Brown. This approach emphasizes naturalism, creating an illusion of untouched nature through asymmetrical balance and artful landscaping. Unlike the rigid, geometric designs of formal gardens with their meticulously shaped shrubbery and topiaries, English gardens embrace a more harmonious relationship with nature. Capability Brown likened his work in garden design to that of a poet or composer, artfully shaping the landscape with thoughtful consideration.

Central to this style is the use of symbolism, often through architectural follies like sham ruins, to emphasize the fleeting nature of human achievements compared to the timeless beauty of nature. These gardens typically feature man-made structures like temples, tea-houses, pavilions, and gazebos, positioned to offer the most picturesque views. They are complemented by sprawling lawns, clusters of trees, stone bridges, statues, grottos, ponds, waterfalls, and a variety of exotic plants. These elements not only astonish the senses but also demonstrate the imperial power and global reach of the era.

In keeping with this archetype, the Square des Batignolles boasts expansive lawns, a large pond fed by a natural stream, and is populated with koi and numerous duck species. The pond is adorned with the 1930 statue "Vautours" (Vultures) by Louis de Monard. The park also features a bust of poet Léon Dierx, crafted in 1932 by Bony de Lavergne.

Despite its small size (under two hectares), the park boasts expansive, rolling lawns and a network of shaded pathways, thanks to a diverse array of trees. Noteworthy are the 140-year-old oriental plane trees, towering over thirty meters, alongside a still-growing giant sequoia. The park's arboreal collection includes Asian Minor hazelnuts, Siberian elms, Japanese cherry blossoms, ash trees, willows, and black walnuts. Perched atop a petite rocky hill, a glass gazebo doubles as a greenhouse, nurturing a lone tropical palm tree.