Square du Vert Galant, named after a king
The Square du Vert Galant is a charming, peaceful public garden located at the western tip of the Ile de la Cité. It was created in 1607, at the same time as the Place Dauphine, by the joining of two islets, the Île aux Juifs and the Île du Passeur, to the main island.
However, it was not landscaped as it is today, but was an unmaintained plot of land. Women used to come there to wash their clothes and draw water for domestic tasks, while men would come to fish. In the 19th century, it was even transformed to accommodate an open-air ball, but recurring floods soon led to its closure.
The City of Paris purchased the land in 1884 and transformed it into a public garden. A double staircase, at the rear of the equestrian statue of King Henry IV on the Place du Pont-Neuf, provides access. This statue, by the way, is a replica dating from 1818.
The garden was named after Henry IV, who was known for his many conquests and his passionate lovemaking. This prompted people to nickname him affectionately Le Vert Galant – The Green Gallant!
Square du Vert Galant, a little oasis of greenery in the middle of the Seine!
The Square du Vert Galant offers breathtaking views of the Samaritaine, the Institut de France, the Hôtel de la Monnaie (mint) and the Louvre Palace.
Located in the middle of the River Seine, it offers a peaceful respite from the urban bustle; you truly feel like you’re on an island, because that’s exactly what it is!
A wide variety of trees and shrubs, including chestnut trees, weeping willows, tamarisk, lilacs, walnut trees with edible nuts, maples and ginkgo biloba, surround a lawn. Sit on a bench, close your eyes and let yourself be transported to the countryside. With a little patience, you might spot swans and ducks gliding gracefully on the water.
For those passionate about French history, a discreet commemorative plaque awaits discovery. It pays homage to Jacques de Molay, Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Templar, and his lieutenant Geoffroy de Charnay, who were burned at the stake on March 18, 1314 on the Île aux Juifs.
Directions: Ile de la Cité – 1st District
Metro: Cité on Line 4
Coordinates: Lat 48.857494 – Long 2.340085
Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Plan de Belleforest 1575 Public domain
