“Fancy a tranquil escape in the heart of Paris?” That is what Square Chateaubriand offers. This square in the 7th arrondissement is more than just a green space. It holds stories and history within its borders.
The Square des Missions Étrangères is its official name. But everyone knows it fondly as Square Chateaubriand. It was inaugurated on June 21, 1939. The Journal described it as a vast terrain. It has trees and a shelter for children. All of this is framed by high walls and houses.
Why Chateaubriand? Let me tell you. A bust of François-René de Chateaubriand stands here. The sculptor Maurice Gambier d’Hurigny created it in 1948. Chateaubriand lived nearby for a decade. His home was at 120 Rue du Bac. A plaque commemorates his life there. He often visited the Abbaye-aux-Bois. Madame Récamier resided there. He would have his friends proofread his “Mémoires d’outre-tombe.”
Look around. Notice the high wall painted by Patrice Chanton in 1995. It depicts the shadows of chestnut trees. These trees shade the garden. The city of Paris explains this decor reminds us of nature. You will also find cherry trees and flowerbeds here.
The Square Chateaubriand is accessible to everyone. It has a drinking water point. There are also two playgrounds. A basketball court provides space for sports. A large shelter offers refuge. But the square closes during strong winds or bad weather.
The square has regulated hours. It also features a shared garden. An association manages this garden. It shares the square’s name. Please note dogs are not allowed. Smoking is prohibited in the playgrounds.
You will see a bust of Chateaubriand. Admire the painted high wall. The basketball court is also visible. Notice how the sun bathes the square.
Square Chateaubriand translates to Square of Foreign Missions. It gets its name from a nearby chapel. The Societe des Missions Etrangeres de Paris owns the chapel. Alexandre de Rhodes founded the organization in the 1600s. It is a Catholic Missionary organization. Secular priests and laypersons run it. They dedicate themselves to missionary work in foreign countries. The square itself was laid out in the 1930s.
This garden-style square boasts beautiful flowerbeds. Numerous plants flowers and bushes thrive here. You will find horse chestnut poplar and black locust trees. Two Japanese cherry trees also add to the beauty.
As you enter from Rue du Bac you cannot miss the bust of Chateaubriand. Gambier sculpted it in 1948. Chateaubriand is considered a founder of Romanticism in French literature. He spent his final years on Rue du Bac. He passed away there in 1848.
Consider the painted wall. Patrice Chanton created it in 1995. It depicts the chestnut trees. They provide shade. Park benches dot the landscape. They invite you to relax.
An ivy-covered gazebo stands here. Parents often use it. They watch their children play. A sandbox and other items entertain younger children. A water point provides refreshment.
The Square Chateaubriand sits in the 7th Arrondissement. Musee Maillol and Hotel Matignon are nearby. The Hotel Matignon is home to the French Prime Minister.
Two entrances welcome you. One is on Rue de Commaille. The other is on Rue du Bac. The square opens at 9 am on weekends. It opens at 9:30 am on weekdays and French holidays. Closing times vary. They range from 5 pm in winter to 8:30 pm in summer.
To reach the Square Chateaubriand take metro lines 10 or 12. Get off at the Sevres Babylone station. Bus numbers 39 68 70 and 94 also bring you close. A Velib station is on Boulevard Raspail.
Take a moment to appreciate this little haven. Square Chateaubriand is a place of rest and reflection. It offers a blend of history art and nature in the heart of Paris.