Park of Georges Brassens
The site of the Parc Georges Brassens once belonged to the former hamlet of Vaugirard which became part of Paris in 1860. This is where the famous Périchot grape was grown in the 18th century.
History
Vineyards
and slaughterhouses
In the 19th century the vines disappeared and were replaced by market gardens.
In 1894 slaughterhouses were built here.
After many years of heavy use, they became outdated and were destroyed in 1974-1975.
After they were demolished, the space was used to build a very large park covering 7.3 hectares, the biggest since the Second Empire, designed by Alexandre Ghiulamila, Jean-Michel Milliex and Daniel Colin.
Opened to the public in 1984, the park was given the name of the celebrated poet and musician Georges Brassens who lived close by at 42 rue Santos-Dumont.
The neighbourhood was also home to other celebrities, such as the sculptor Ossip Zadkine and the painter Fernand Léger.
The park's clever design integrates some of the most striking architectural components of the slaughterhouses whilst giving the gardens a strong contemporary feel.
Strolling
through the park
The entrance to the park is flanked by majestic bulls which are the work of the animal sculptor Auguste-Nicolas Cain. The two pavilions situated at either side of the entrance have been restored. One of the them houses a senior citizens club. The superb metal framework of the restored horse market covers a building used for local cultural activities. The belfry in the center of the park and the numerous architectural components of the slaughterhouses have been brought to the fore amongst the greenery.
A river runs through the gardens, which surround a pond with a fountain, and there is a hill affording a panoramic view.
Playgrounds, with a puppet show and a roundabout have been built for the enjoyment of children. There is a bandstand here for the pleasure of old and young alike. A climbing area has been erected from blocks of stone from the former buildings. Other original features of the park include its rose gardens, the pinot noir vines, beehives and a fragrant garden.
Whilst strolling, the visitor can discover hundreds of conifers, flowering
trees, thousands of bushes, perennials and water-side plants and three
hectares of grassy areas. An old book market is held here every weekend.
Address :
Rue des Morillons
75015 - PARIS
Locate on the map :
Metro : Convention
Back to the top of the page