The Square of the Vert‑Galant lies at the western tip of the Île‑de‑la‑Cité, covering 1,642 m² in a serene heart of Paris . Established in 1884, the garden resulted from merging three small islets – notably Île aux Juifs, the site where Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Templars, was burned in 1314 .

Descend under the Pont‑Neuf by stairs, under the watchful statue of Henry IV, known as “the Green Gallant” for his many love affairs in old age . The statue you see was recast in 1818 after the original was destroyed during the Revolution .

The park’s diverse tree species – chestnuts, weeping willows, black walnut, maples, catalpas, ginkgo – form a lush micro‑forest within the city . Protected with the ecological green space label since 2007 .

Bordering the Seine, it affords sweeping views of the Louvre, Pont des Arts, Institut de France… A romantic spot perfect for picnics or reading, with swans, ducks, and moorhens gliding by .

Its low elevation makes it prone to flooding – submerged during major Seine floods such as in 2016 and 2018 . Under sunlit days, the square offers a hushed retreat from city life, ideal for relaxed, contemplative moments.

Both tourists and locals cherish this spot for its blend of history, nature, and urban charm. An interesting anecdote: a fragment of rock from Montreal’s Île Sainte‑Hélène was installed in 1967 to celebrate Franco‑Canadian friendship . Photographers like Pissarro and Doisneau captured its beauty .

Practical information: open 24/7, free access, no toilets on-site – bring water. Dogs allowed on leashes. Easily reachable via Pont‑Neuf metro (line 7), RER C/B at Saint‑Michel. Vélib™ station nearby. Accessible for hearing and visual impairment, but not fully wheelchair-friendly .

A visit here is a suspended moment under the Pont‑Neuf, watching the Seine and the Louvre glide by—revealing a quieter, more reflective face of Paris.