Temple de la Sibylle

The Temple de la Sibylle is a circular pavilion with supporting columns positioned on an artificial rocky island within Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, styled after Roman temples. The small structure sits elevated and offers views over the park and Paris rooftops from its exposed location.

Gabriel Davioud designed this structure in 1866 as part of transforming a former quarry into a new public park during the Second Empire era. The architectural style borrowed from ancient Italian temples to give the newly created park a sense of history and grandeur.

The name references the Greek oracle Sibyl, and visitors can observe how the circular colonnaded structure echoes temples from ancient Rome. People often gather here to take in views of Paris while experiencing a space that feels removed from the city below.

The temple is reached via two bridges: a stone structure from the west and a suspended wooden walkway from the south. Both routes are brief, though visitors should be aware that access to the island narrows and feels rather exposed.

The island was originally a natural hill from a gypsum quarry that was artificially enhanced during park design to rise even higher above the lake. This elevation difference makes the temple's position unusually isolated and commanding.

Location: 19th arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1866

Architects: Gabriel Davioud

GPS coordinates: 48.88107,2.38299

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:07