Nestled in the heart of the Marais, right next to the Carnavalet Museum, Georges‑Cain Square is a hidden gem offering visitors an immersive experience blending history and nature. Created in 1923 on former market gardens owned by the Sainte‑Catherine canons, and opened to the public in 1931, this circular garden spans 2,128 m² and is framed by the Hôtel Le Pelletier de Saint‑Fargeau to the east and the Victor‑Hugo collège to the south.

At its core stands Île‑de‑France, a 1925 bronze statue by Aristide Maillol depicting a nude woman with a draped scarf. This replaced an earlier sculpture, “Flore and her Chariot” by Philippe Magnier, now held in the Louvre. Around it, you’ll find a lapidary collection from the Carnavalet Museum, including remnants of the Tuileries Palace charred during the Paris Commune, a Renaissance rose window from the old City Hall, windows from the Hôtel de Thou, Merovingian sarcophagi, a Neolithic polish stone, and fragments from the salt storehouse. These archaeological elements are arranged in an organic, almost uncurated fashion, creating the impression of wandering through Paris’s living history.

The lush greenery includes a century‑old fig tree over 6 m tall, an ironwood tree (Parrotia persica), and other species offering shade and serenity during summer months. It’s a perfect spot to read, picnic, play chess on public tables, or unwind away from the city noise. This oasis appeals equally to families seeking tranquility and art/history enthusiasts.

One contemporary feature stands out: The Nightingale of Heinz, created by Erik Samakh in 1990. This solar‑powered sound installation emits nightingale song according to weather conditions .

Named in honor of Georges Cain (1856‑1919), painter, writer, and first curator of the Carnavalet Museum (1897‑1914), the square embodies the connection between the museum and Paris’s collective memory.

Practical info: Free entry daily. Seasonal opening hours: 8 am–8:30 pm (May–Aug), 8 am–5 pm (Sep–Apr), and weekend hours adjusted accordingly. Accessible via Saint‑Paul (line 1) or Chemin‑Vert (line 8) metro. Dogs allowed on leash.