Imagine strolling along Avenue de la Porte-d’Auteuil. You suddenly stumble upon a serene escape. This is the Square des Poètes. It is also known as the Jardin des Poètes.
The Square des Poètes is more than just a garden. It is a tribute to French poetry. It was created in 1954. Pascal Bonetti initiated the project. He was the honorary president of the Société des Poètes Français. Édouard Frédéric-Dupont, André Marie, and Pascal Bonetti inaugurated it together.
This garden spans 13,400 square meters. The Square des Poètes offers a peaceful retreat. It is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. The Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil borders it to the west.
As you wander through the Square des Poètes, notice the scattered plaques. Each bears verses from French poets. Some are famous. Others are less known. These verses invite reflection.
Keep an eye out for the statues and busts of poets. You’ll find a monument to Joachim Gasquet. It features a muse leaning on a pedestal. The pedestal is adorned with a medallion of the poet. A statue pays homage to Frédéric Mistral. It is called Vieux Berger and represents a shepherd.
Admire the bust of Théophile Gautier sculpted by Louis Dejean in 1933. Discover the bust of Jean Moréas. Georges Themistocles Maltero created it in 1962. You can also find a bust of Alexandre Pushkin. The city of Moscow gifted it. Auguste Rodin sculpted the bust of Victor Hugo. Yerbol Ziyabekov created a sculpture of Abaï Kounanbaïouly. The Republic of Kazakhstan gifted this.
Among the honored poets, you will find Guillaume Apollinaire. His verse “J’ai cueilli ce brin de bruyère” is displayed. It comes from his work “L’Adieu” in Alcools. Louis Aragon’s “Ô mois des floraisons mois des métamorphoses” is also present. It is from “Les Lilas et les Roses”. Agrippa d’Aubigné’s words “Une rose d’automne est plus qu’une autre exquise” are displayed. They come from “Les Feux”. Charles Baudelaire’s verse “Voici venir les temps où, vibrant sur sa tige,” appears. It is from “Harmonie du soir”. Victor Hugo’s words resonate: “Quand je suis parmi vous, arbres de ces grands bois,”. They are from “Aux arbres”.
The Square des Poètes also boasts a remarkable Austrian black pine. It was planted in 1900. It now reaches 32 meters. You will also see a white poplar and an almond tree.
The Square des Poètes has an Écojardin label. It shows a commitment to environmental sustainability. There is a playground for children. You will also find drinking water and public restrooms.
The Square des Poètes offers a blend of nature and art. It’s a place for contemplation and appreciation. Some critics have been harsh. Claude Eveno said the verse selection is “mediocre and poorly chosen”. Bernard Chambaz noted the busts appear “oppressed”. He added that the plaques resemble tombstones. Despite these criticisms, the garden remains a unique space. It celebrates poetry in the heart of Paris.
As you leave the Square des Poètes, carry with you the echoes of verse. Remember the beauty of this literary garden. It’s a reminder of the power of words. It is an ode to the enduring legacy of French poetry.