12 Iconic Paris Parks with Fascinating Histories You Need to Discover

5. Square du Vert-Galant

Photo: Guilhem Vellut (CC BY 2.0)

Created: 1884
Size: 0.2 hectares
Location: 1st arrondissement (near Pont Neuf)
Metro Station: Pont Neuf

The Square du Vert-Galant was created in 1884 at the western tip of the Île de la Cité. It’s named after King Henry IV, nicknamed the “Vert-Galant” for his romantic escapades in his older years. Built on land reclaimed from the Seine, the square is a peaceful, tree-shaded area with views of the river and the Pont Neuf.