In the heart of Paris, this small emblematic public space of 3,900 m² is beautifully located on the right bank of the Seine, at the new bridge’s entrance, facing the Île de la Cité and close to the Louvre. This unique location, open to the south to the rivers’ horizon and in extension of the historic bridge, compelled a particularly humble and sober layout that stages the Seine and the urban landscape. The Halles tunnel exit’s demolition allowed pedestrians to return to this space, at the junction of promenades, and at the foot of the beautiful shops of La Samaritaine and the Hotel du Cheval Blanc. We were selected following a project call, launched by the La Samaritaine group before being handed over to the city of Paris, to design and deliver a project on this new forecourt.
The initial site configuration prompted us to design a very simple “garden square”, with an even geometry stretching out in line with the new bridge’s layout. Two planted strips, creating linear borders, are composed of different varieties of white magnolias. These species echo the riverside department stores façade patterns. This arrangement creates a certain interiority, intimacy and shade under the foliage of these small flowering trees. Tables of shrubs and perennials form a persistent, fragrant low stratum. Long seats surround and protect the planted strips and welcome many visitors. The two planted strips allow rainwater to be re-infiltrated directly into the soil. Three square fountains made of Hainaut stone integrated within the vegetated strips show different water effects, mist and jet patterns, offering freshness and the calm murmur of water in the heart of summer.
The dark background of these micro fountains reinforces the mirror effect and reflects the sky’s changing reflections. The continuous Lanhélin granite floor is interrupted with arrangements of blue limestone from Hainaut. The fountain lighting and planted strips emphasize the soft and peaceful atmosphere of this garden square. The apparent simplicity of this public space’s composition incorporates many obligations related to metro station, underground passages, and major networks, as well as traffic and access for firefighters and buses. The layout was designed with simple and robust elements and high-end materials, integral to the surrounding architecture. Over the years, this place has become an open-air hall, a forecourt and a shaded walkway, a Parisian urban lounge where many passersby come to rest. This singular public space now seems to have always been there, in its right place, making it modestly successful.
Client: La Samaritaine for the City of Paris
Landscape Architecture: In Situ
Technical and Economic Studies office, foundry: OGI
Lighting Designer: Les Éclaireurs
Manufacturer of urban equipment: Bespoke equipment
Photographer: Karolina Samborska
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