Square René-Viviani and its flowering trees, the unusual garden with the oldest tree in Paris

Located just a stone's throw from Notre-Dame de Paris, Square René-Viviani offers a unique bucolic setting in the heart of the capital. With prunus blossoms heralding spring and a robinia tree planted in 1601, the oldest in Paris, this confidential garden is a veritable bubble of greenery steeped in history.

Square Viviani is a pretty park just a stone's throw from Notre-Dame de Paris, overlooking the restored and accessible monument. In winter, it hosts the most charming Christmas market in Paris. In summer, it's the ideal place to take a break in the shade of the flowering trees, which are the first to bloom when the sun comes out.

Square René-Viviani is undoubtedly one of the most unusual green spaces in Paris. In this garden near the quays of the Seine, you'll discover a verdant spot dotted with historic relics and overlooking Notre-Dame. It even boasts the oldest tree in Paris! Direction the Latin Quarter, near Quai de Montebello. There, hidden away near the banks of the Seine, lies a surprising and mysterious garden: Square René-Viviani.

As soon as you enter, you're greeted by an explosion of color from the cherry plum trees, whose rosy blossoms light up the square in early spring. The Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre church, one of the oldest in Paris, provides a medieval backdrop to this haven of peace. Its history dates back to the 6th century, well before the construction of the nearby cathedral. Over the centuries, it has been a silent witness to Parisian upheavals, welcoming in turn monks, pilgrims and today the curious in search of heritage.

This is also where you'll find the oldest tree in Paris. This is a colossal black locust, planted in 1601. It was planted by botanist Jean Robin, who introduced thespecies to France under Henri IV. That's why it bears his name. For over 400 years now, the capital's oldest tree has been in bloom every spring. It is now 15 meters high and 3.50 meters in circumference, whereas trees of this species are usually no more than 10 meters tall. A concrete structure now supports this historic robinia, which has been classified as a remarkable tree. This venerable tree is one of the few living vestiges of 17th-century Paris. Once used for its medicinal virtues, today it is a symbol of resistance and transmission through the ages.

The square is also home to Georges Jeanclos's bronze fountain, a 1995 work inspired by the memory and wounds of the Second World War. Nearby, a stele commemorates the Jewish children deported between 1942 and 1944, underscoring the memorial dimension of the site.

Remains of Notre-Dame de Paris are also present, reused here during past restorations. Among them are fragments of balustrades, pinnacles and capitals, testifying to the close link between this garden and the cathedral that overlooks it. The square itself was laid out in 1928 on the site of an annex of the Hôtel-Dieu and former houses, thus restructuring the urban fabric of the Île de la Cité. Moving into the shadier part of the park, towards the church, reveals a more mystical aspect of Square René Viviani. Here, the remains of a well dating back to the 12th century can be seen.

With its shady benches and inviting lawns, Square René-Viviani is ideal for a timeless break, while enjoying a breathtaking view of the cathedral. A must for Paris lovers, especially in spring, when nature reclaims its rightful place in the heart of the city.

So why not take a stroll and immortalize the place with a photo against the backdrop of Notre-Dame de Paris?