Summer in Paris makes one remember how lovely a perfect, tree-shaded square can be. Whether you’re wandering through the famed Place des Vosges amid sunbathers or uncovering a tiny green oasis tucked between medieval streets, it’s easy to fall in love with the city’s timeless charm.
At 56Paris Real Estate, we know these beautiful pockets of greenery are more than just scenic spots—they're central to what makes life in Paris so special. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or searching for a Paris property investment, these squares are ideal for picnicking, reading, or simply soaking in the beauty of the City of Light.
What Is a Square in Paris?
Unlike the vast open spaces of the Tuileries Garden or Luxembourg Garden, a Parisian square is a smaller, often lesser-known green space nestled within the city’s architecture. Surrounded by charming streets and historic buildings, they’re where locals share memorable outdoor moments—and where newcomers can begin to feel at home.
Here are 12 of the prettiest public squares in Paris—each offering its own version of paradise.
Square Barye – 2 Bd Henri IV, 75004 Paris
Perched on the tip of the impossibly quaint Île Saint-Louis, Square Barye is a hidden gem with beautiful views of the Seine. Blossoms abound in the springtime, and a discreet staircase leads down to a portion of the riverfront.
Square Trousseau – 1 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012 Paris
Just a block away from the bustling open-air Marché d’Aligre, the Square Trousseau is a leafy haven framed by elegant Hausmann-era buildings. At one end, a beloved café that bears the square’s name is a wonderful spot for a croissant and espresso served in perfectly chic style.
Square Gardette – 2 Rue du Général Blaise, 75011 Paris
Niched in the lively and dynamic 11th arrondissement (district), the Square Gardette has become an iconic rendezvous for the bohemian crowd that likes to sip coffee from The Beans on Fire or natural wine at a handful of inviting addresses whose terraces are adjacent to the park. Children play on and around the gazebo, and the jungly greenery almost conceals the apartments in Hausmannian buildings that ring the park.
Place Dauphine – Rue de Harlay, 75001 Paris
The Place Dauphine is named after France’s Dauphin prince, the future King Louis XIII. Located at the tip of the Île de la Cité, west of the former Palais de la Cité, it adjoins the middle of the Pont Neuf, where the equestrian statue of Henri IV faces it. Hidden amid elegant buildings, it’s a lovely place to sit at one of the restaurant terraces that spill out onto the square. Along with Place des Vosges, Place des Victoires, Place Vendôme and Place de la Concorde, it’s one of the city's five royal squares.
Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques – 75004 Paris
Rising out of the Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques is the titular monument itself, a former bell tower and only remaining architecture from a church built in the early 1500s. Like the Hôtel de Cluny, it’s a gorgeous example of the Flamboyant Gothic style. From anywhere in the park, with its shaded lawn, you can gaze up at the tower. Meanwhile, the Rue de Rivoli’s bicycle traffic may whir by, but this is an oasis of calm.
Square Marcel Pagnol – 12 Rue de Laborde, 75008 Paris
Like 23 other Parisian gardens, the beautiful Square Marcel Pagnol was designed by the Second Empire engineer Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand (1817-1891), Haussmann's favorite architect. It is named after the beloved author and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974), who spent part of his life in the 16th arrondissement. This square offers peace and quiet in the shade of chestnut and plane trees and a privileged view of Saint-Augustin church.
Square Paul-Langevin – 20 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris
This particularly cool, shaded garden in the Latin Quarter was created in 1868 when Rue Monge was created. It backs onto the imposing wall of the former École Polytechnique. A monumental staircase stands in the center, covered romantically with a trellis draped in ivy and Turkestan knotweed, which are particularly decorative. Relax here in the shade of magnificent magnolia trees, as well as superb pagoda trees, sycamore maples, ash trees, honey locust and American walnut trees. Look for the fountain, the remains of the old Town Hall and two decapitated statues in Renaissance niches.
Jardin Catherine-Labouré – 29 rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris
Hidden behind high walls just a stone's throw from Le Bon Marché, the Catherine-Labouré garden is one of those little-known places you'd like to keep to yourself. Popular with families, this former vegetable orchard of the Daughters of Charity community boasts numerous fruit trees—lime, apple, cherry, pear and hazelnut—along with beautiful poplars, which you'll never tire of admiring from the many benches on either side of the lawns.
Square Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur Pauline Roland – 9 rue du Grand-Veneur, 75003 Paris
A little corner of paradise well known to rose aficionados, the Square Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur Pauline Roland is located in the Marais district. It was the former garden of a 17th-century mansion built for Hennequin d'Ecquevilly, Captain General of the King's Hunting Court and offers strollers the most delicious (and fragrant) spectacle every spring: the flowering of its many rose bushes, which climb along trellises. Its name pays homage to Pauline Roland, a schoolteacher close to George Sand, known for her feminist and socialist commitment.
Joseph Migneret Rose Garden – 10 rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris
A hidden gem only open since 2014, the Joseph-Migneret Rose Garden was born from the merger of several private gardens of 17th-century Marais mansions and houses a shared garden, maintained by local residents. This small haven of peace located between Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and Rue des Rosiers is the perfect place to find a solitary moment in the middle of the Marais. You can also admire the remains of one of the towers of Philippe Auguste's wall, erected in the 13th century.
Square du Vert-Galant – 15 place du Pont Neuf, 75001 Paris
For sunset views, head to the Square du Vert-Galant at tip of Île de la Cité. Surrounded by the Seine and framed by iconic landmarks like the Louvre and Pont des Arts, it’s a postcard-perfect setting that feels magical at dusk.
Square du Temple – 64 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
With its duck pond, blooming flowers, and chess tables, the Marais’s Square du Temple is ideal for a laid-back lunch break or an afternoon of people-watching. Nearby art galleries and boutiques make it a cultural hotspot as well.
Looking for a peaceful pied-à-terre or investment near one of Paris’ beautiful green spaces?
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