A green lung for Vanves. That’s what Parc Frédéric Pic is. This park offers a haven of peace.
Let’s step inside Parc Frédéric Pic. It’s more than just a park. It’s a journey through time. The Parc Frédéric Pic spans 5.2 hectares. It once belonged to a health house. Doctors Félix Voisin and Jean-Pierre Falret ran it in the 19th century.
In 1933, Vanves acquired 20 hectares of the property. The city opened it to the public. The Parc Frédéric Pic now stands as a classified site.
Look around you. You’ll find remnants of the past. There are old icehouses. One icehouse was transformed into a chapel in the 19th century.
Did you know Parc Frédéric Pic has over 2,000 trees? Among them, 38 are considered remarkable. Admire the Cedrus atlantica Glaucades. A magnolia grandiflora is fenced off for protection since 2011. Weeping willows sway gently. A bald cypress stands tall. Giant sequoias reach for the sky. There is also a magnolia with large flowers. A grove of forty-crown trees adds to the beauty.
Parc Frédéric Pic is a haven for birds. It used to be an LPO refuge. Numerous bird species call it home. Beehives are also installed here.
Notice the water features. The last visible vestige of the Vanves stream runs through the park. It once supplied water to local laundries. An artificial island graces the water. These were designed by architect Maurice Payret-Dortail.
The main entrance to Parc Frédéric Pic is on Place du Président-Kennedy. It was formerly Place Falret. You can also access it from Rue Larmeroux. Other entrances are on Rue Jean-Baptiste-Potin and Avenue du Parc.
Since 1971, a statue by Michel Serraz has adorned the park. It’s a monumental bronze head called F. Pic. A statue of Paul Roussel once stood here. It was “Nonia, danseuse à Pompéi ou Fleur du Vésuve”. Sadly, it was melted down during World War II.
Originally, the land belonged to the Duchess of Mortemart. She established it around 1750. It was sold as national property in 1792. Félix Voisin acquired it in 1820. He and Jean-Pierre Falret founded their health house in 1822. Twenty-seven independent pavilions were built. They followed the Cottage system model.
Until 1962 this park was called Falret. That year it was renamed Parc Frédéric Pic. It was a tribute to Frédéric Pic the town’s mayor.
The Parc Frédéric Pic offers many activities. Children can enjoy several play areas. A kiosk opens during nice weather. You can wander around its pond. Relax on the open lawns.
This English-style park was inaugurated in 1939. Its shaded areas offer respite in summer. It’s a perfect setting for rest and relaxation. Take a moment to appreciate this green space. It’s a blend of history nature and recreation.