The Square René-Le-Gall (see also previous post about “Lézards de la Bièvre) occupies a space which once was a small island, surrounded by two arms of the river La Bièvre, partly used as a kitchen-garden for the close-by “Manufacture des Gobelins” (A post will follow). The island was called “Ile aux Singes” (the Monkey Island). It seems that some monkeys used to be living rather free here.
A comparison between the Google Earth and a 18th century map gives perhaps an idea of what the landscape used to be. Under the street on the photo the old manufacture (still in operation) and the park runs the now covered river La Bièvre.
The park was created just before WWII, slightly enlargened in recent years.
It’s surrounded by grotto-work walls and stairs with some remarkable masks, birds… made by pebbles and fossils, which remind us of the famous Arcimboldo paintings.
I was impressed by some modern equipment on the children’s playground.
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