The Square du Vert Galant is one of the most romantic places in Paris, one of the most romantic cities in the world.
It doesn’t get much better than this – a tiny park at the tip of an island in the Seine, with gorgeous views of the city, its bridges and landmarks. Whether you’re sharing the moment as a couple or there alone or with a group of friends, it’s the sort of place to make you feel aglow.
My Square du Vert Galant guide tells you everything you need to know about this extraordinary little park, including tips for enjoying it and how to get there. I hope you find it as wonderful as I have over many years and visits.
Where To Stay Near Square du Vert Galant
Hotel Royal Saint-Michel – 4-star in great position next to Metro hub, and a short walk across the Seine to the Île de la Cité
Hôtel D’Aubusson – 5-star Latin Quarter luxury a two-minute walk from the Pont Neuf and Square du Vert Galant
Relais du Louvre – beautifully designed 4-star hotel opposite the east end of the Louvre and Saint Germain l’Auxerrois church, very close to Pont Neuf too
Hotel Esmeralda – gorgeous 1-star next to St Julien le Pauvre Church, 10 minutes from Pont Neuf; I stayed here in 1987, adored it, and they should declare it a National Monument.
Why Visit Square du Vert Galant
The Square du Vert Galant is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, occupying the western end of the Île de la Cité with the river Seine on either side.
It is one of the most romantic places in Paris, especially in summer, when it’s a park with plenty of shade, and sunlight bursting through in patches.
It’s one of the best places to enjoy the beauty of the Seine, with views to the Pont Neuf bridge, the Pont des Arts and the Louvre Museum and Palace downstream.
The Square du Vert Galant is one of the best places in Paris for a picnic, so head for some nearby shops and choose a good bottle of wine. Pack a small picnic and find yourself a prime spot either on the banks of the river or in the shadier part of the Square.
It’s also the departure point for some of the best boat trips in Paris.
Square Du Vert Galant History
The Square du Vert Galant is named after King Henri IV of France, who reigned from 1589 to 1610, when he was assassinated.
One of his nicknames was ‘Vert Galant’, which translates as ‘Green Gallant’. This means an older man with an undiminished (evergreen) appetite for chasing after women.
Henri IV was responsible for construction of the Pont Neuf (‘New Bridge’, ironically now the oldest in Paris), and he is honoured with an equestrian statue on the Île de la Cité, close to the staircases leading down to the Square du Vert Galant.
Henri gave away land including what is now the nearby square Place Dauphine and Square du Vert Galant at the time of the bridge’s construction.
The land on which the Vert Galant park now stands used to consist of two separate islands – the Île aux Juifs (Island of Jews) and Île du Patriarche (Island of the Patriarch).
The Île aux Juifs was the site of execution of many persecuted Jews, and also Jacques de Molay, head of the Knights Templar, in 1314.
These two islands were joined together in the 1884 to make the Square du Vert Galant Park.
Things To Do At Square Du Vert Galant
The Square du Vert Galant is a great place to immerse yourself in Parisian life for a few hours.
Before descending from bridge level to the Square, admire the statue of the original Vert Galant, King Henri IV. The statue is a replacement, the original having been destroyed during the most radical phase of the French Revolution.
Descend the stairs to the Square, a small triangular park with maple and chestnut trees offering patches of shade.
It’s the most romantic park in Paris, but don’t expect it to yourself unless you’ve wrapped up in thermals during the winter.
The Square du Vert Galant is very popular with locals during the warmer months, where singles, couples and groups of friends come to chat and chill out for a couple of hours in the evening.
There is a small space at the tip of the Square du Vert Galant, beneath a giant weeping willow, known as the Saule Pleureur de la Pointe, which is one of the prime spots in the Park. It’s also one of the best spots to enjoy a sunset in Paris.
From here you get a wonderful view of the Louvre, Pont des Arts and the dome of the Institut de France. There is only space for about ten people in this area.
If you plan on eating and drinking, bring everything yourself. You’ll also see hawkers selling beer out of ice buckets if you run out of refreshment.
You can also depart on a Paris boat trip from the Square du Vert Galant. The excellent Vedettes du Pont Neuf offer a variety of Seine river cruises from the northern side of the Square, including this superb daytime cruise to the Eiffel Tower and back.
We took the Seine evening and sunset cruise, continuing downstream to the Eiffel Tower, and returning via the Île Saint Louis. Hands down it’s one of the best things to do in Paris.
Where Is Square Du Vert Galant
The Square du Vert Galant is at the western tip of the Île de la Cité, with the Pont Neuf, one of the most famous Paris bridges, crossing the river Seine either side of it.
It is within the 1st (1er) arrondissement of Paris, and is close to the Samaritaine department store on the Right Bank (Rive Droite) and the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank.
How To Get To Square Du Vert Galant
The nearest Metro station to the Square du Vert Galant is Pont Neuf, on line 7 of the network.
If you’re approaching from the Latin Quarter or Left Bank, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame is on RER lines B and C, and Metro line 4. It’s a 5-minute walk from there to the Square du Vert Galant.
There are two ways of reaching the Square du Vert Galant on foot. If you cross the Pont Neuf you’ll soon reach the statue of Henri IV. There are two staircases (each around 40 steps) down to the Square.
Otherwise, if you’re approaching via the footpaths at river level, you just continue under the arches of the Pont Neuf and you’ll reach it after a few metres.
What To See Near The Square du Vert Galant
The Square du Vert Galant is next to the Pont Neuf, one of the finest bridges in Paris. It was finished in the early 17th century, and links the Île de la Cité to both banks of the river Seine.
The Île de la Cité is the heart of ancient Lutetia and Paris, and it’s home to two of the most famous churches in Paris. The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris is open to visitors once again, following restoration after the catastrophic 2019 fire.
Another marvel of the Gothic Age is even closer to the Square du Vert Galant. La Sainte-Chapelle Paris is a stunning Gothic chapel built for royal worship, and is located within the Palais de Justice in the centre of the island. It’s best known for its amazing medieval stained glass, and is an absolute Paris must see.
The Latin Quarter is a short walk across the river from the Square du Vert Galant.
It’s little more than five minutes on foot to Place Saint Michel, and from there you’re just metres away from the renowned Shakespeare & Company bookshop I(you can’t really miss the queue), and just beyond that is Square René Viviani, one of the loveliest parks in Paris, and the tiny church of St Julien le Pauvre.
Otherwise you could head towards the church of Saint Germain des Prés, the surrounding literary quarter of the same name and the church of Saint Sulpice Paris, a fine Neoclassical temple with some wonderful works by Eugene Delacroix.
Over on the Right Bank of the Seine, the view downstream is dominated by the vast Palais du Louvre, home to one of the world’s great art museums.
The handsome Rue de Rivoli runs along its northern side, eventually passing the magnificent Tuileries Garden and Place de la Concorde.
We also recommend the Tour Saint-Jacques, a medieval tower usually open on weekends between June and November, which offers one of the best rooftop views of Paris.
From there, you’re only a short walk away from the Marais, one of the most beautiful areas in Paris, and the Place des Vosges, one of the most famous squares in Europe.
Discover more of our articles on Paris here:
Churches In Paris
22 Famous Churches in Paris – 22 ecclesiastical wonders
La Sainte Chapelle Paris – one of the wonders of the Gothic Age
Basilica of St Denis Paris – the birthplace of Gothic architecture
Saint Germain des Pres – landmark ancient Left Bank church
Saint Etienne du Mont – stunning Latin Quarter church
Saint Sulpice Church Paris – vast Neoclassical church dominating the Latin Quarter skyline
Pantheon Paris – the resting place of many famous French luminaries
Saint-Séverin Church Paris – Left Bank Gothic wonder
St Julien Le Pauvre – humble ancient church within sight of Notre Dame
Montmartre
Abbesses Metro Station Paris – one of the most beautiful Metro stations in Paris
Rue de l’Abreuvoir – one of the most picturesque streets in Paris
Rue St Rustique Paris – ancient Parisian street in the heart of Montmartre
Sacré Coeur Basilica Paris – the white-domed symbol of Montmartre
General Paris Articles
Best Eiffel Tower Views – over 20 superb vantage points of the most famous landmark in Paris
Sunset in Paris – the best 15 places to see one
Visiting the Arc de Triomphe Paris – all you need to know before you visit one of the great monuments of Paris
Paris Carousels – the best merry-go-rounds in Paris
Statue of Liberty in Paris – seek out the replicas of Lady Liberty across the French capital
Bridges in Paris
Famous Paris Bridges – 15 of the most beautiful bridges on the Seine
Pont Alexandre III Paris – the most flamboyant, ornate bridge in Paris
Bir-Hakeim Bridge Paris – stunning double-decker bridge near the Eiffel Tower
Pont des Arts Paris – elegant iron bridge connecting the Louvre and Institut de France
Pont Neuf Paris – the venerable oldest bridge in Paris, and sometime art installation subject
Parks in Paris
Square du Vert Galant Paris – the most romantic garden in Paris
Jardin du Luxembourg – one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris
Tuileries Garden Paris – amazing garden near the Louvre
Parc Monceau Paris – gorgeous folly-filled park near the Arc de Triomphe