Offering one of the best views of Notre Dame and containing an important legacy of Paris, Square René Viviani is literally built upon the history of France. Providing lush greenery in the summer and a prime location for events and activities throughout the year, Square René Viviani highlights how a space can utilize the surroundings to become a true monument for an entire city and country.
Named After Prime Minister René Viviani
The area occupied by what is officially known as Square René Viviani-Montebello was originally a Merovingian cemetery in the 6th century. As time went on it was eventually used to house various monastic buildings, fragments of which can now be found towards the back of the square. Opened to the public in 1928, the square was named for René Viviani, the Prime Minister of France during the beginning of World War I.
There are a few landmarks located throughout the square, but the most notable one can be found right in the middle. A tall, triangular-shaped bronze fountain in a sunken circular area is the most striking element of the area. The fountain was created by Georges Jeanclos and is associated with the legend of Saint Julian, who supposedly devoted his life to good deeds and established a hospital as atonement for his violent actions.
Square Viviani is also home to the oldest tree in Paris, a robinia planted in 1601. In its prime, the tree was 15 meters tall and 3.5 meters in circumference. At one time, the tree is reported to have been 15 meters tall but a shell during World War I shortened the tree’s height.
There are a variety of events and activities that take place in the space throughout the year that range from French Arts & Crafts events to fairs to small concerts. These events all take place in an area that is easily accessible for residents and a desirable one for visitors given the views of Notre Dame that it provides. This combination has created a legacy that utilizes but also expands on an important element of the culture of Paris and all of France.
A Square with a View
Though not as famous as other French squares like Place de la Concorde or as large as Parisian landmarks like Place Vendôme, Square René Viviani has nonetheless provided residents and visitors with a perfect picnic spot during the summer months and a place that provides an incredible view of one of the most famous churches in the world all year round. In doing so, it showcases how what might otherwise be an empty space can create an incredible connection to a city and an entire country.
