Square Louise Michel 07 © French Moments
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Last Updated: 2 March 2020

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Situated 18th arrondissement, the Square Louise Michel (formerly Square Willette) is a steep green area that reaches the monumental church of Sacré-Cœur  perched atop the Hill of Montmartre.


Square Louise Michel in Montmartre

Square Louise Michel 07 © French Moments
Square Louise Michel © French Moments

The park was known until 2004 as Square Willette and was renamed after Louise Michel (1830-1905), a French anarchist who participated in the Paris Commune of 1871 before being deported to New Caledonia.

The square consists of a green area with a surface of 23,737 m2 extending upwards to the top of the hill in a series of terraces with lawns, flowerbeds, shrubs, and trees.

Square Louise Michel, Montmartre © French Moments
Square Louise Michel, Montmartre © French Moments

The 222 steps that lead up to the top can be avoided by walking on one of the gently sloping paths that run alongside the garden.

The square offers fantastic views of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the roofs of Paris.

Square Louise Michel 05 © French Moments
Square Louise Michel, Montmartre © French Moments
Square Louise Michel 06 © French Moments
Square Louise Michel, Montmartre © French Moments

The park was created in 1927 with a variety of tree species: horse chestnut, hazelnut, honey locust, fig pomegranate, magnolia, gingko biloba, araucarias, as well as two 17 m tall orange trees planted in 1922.

Square Louise Michel 04 © French Moments
In the garden © French Moments
Square Louise Michel 03 © French Moments
In the garden © French Moments
March in Montmartre 06 © French Moments
Daffodils, Square Louise Michel in Montmartre © French Moments
March in Montmartre 05 © French Moments
Tree in bloom in Square Louise Michel in Montmartre © French Moments
March in Montmartre 04 © French Moments
Tree in bloom in Square Louise Michel in Montmartre with the white dome of Sacré-Cœur in the distance © French Moments
March in Montmartre 01 © French Moments
Spring flowers on Square Louise Michel in Montmartre © French Moments

Towards the top of the park under rue du Cardinal Dubois is a monumental fountain dedicated to the Ocean gods, designed by Paul Gasq in 1932

At the bottom of the square, not far from the funicular station, is a popular merry-go-round.

Square Louise Michel 02 © French Moments
The merry-go-round © French Moments

Montmartre Funicular

Montmartre Funicular © French Moments
Montmartre Funicular © French Moments

The western side of the Square Louis Michel is bordered by the Montmartre funicular.

In only one minute and a half, the funicular climbs the 36 m that separates the bottom of the hill from the Parvis of the Sacré-Cœur. The ascent only lasts a minute and a half and avoids a steep ascent to the top of the hill. More than 2 million passengers take the funicular each year. The use of the funicular costs one metro ticket.


Find out more about the hill of Montmartre.


 

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Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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