The 13th arrondissement of Paris is lacking in lovely public gardens. Nonetheless, you will find at the foot of the Butte-aux-Cailles area a pleasant and flowery green space: Square René Le Gall, named in honor a councilman of the 13th arrondissement shot by the Germans when he was 43.
Divided into three parts, you will first find many facilities for children: playground, sandbox, ping-pong tables and swings, this area is typical of Parisians parks made for children leisures.
In the center is a small forest planted with several species: sycamore, fruit trees, ash trees, cedars… It is a nice green walkway leading up to the last part of the garden, the most beautiful one, adorned with an obelisk, arbours and a rose garden. You can also see a beautiful chestnut, with a circumference of 3.20 m, near the obelisk.
Know that René Le Gall square is built on the old “Île aux Singes (Monkey Island)”, island between two former branches of the “Bièvre”, a river that disappeared. A small artificial stream you can see in the garden has been built in 1993 to remind the old course of the river.
You can discover the Square René Le Gall and the old course of the Bievre during a walk around Montsouris park.
