Square Gabriel-Pierné

Square Gabriel-Pierné is a small park in the 6th arrondissement of Paris with paved paths, seating areas, and vegetation nestled between the Institut de France and the River Seine. The space combines stone benches, sculptures, and a decorative fountain in a compact setting.

The square was established in 1938 and incorporates a fountain from the 1830 Carmes Market, designed by Alexandre-Évariste Fragonard and protected as a historical monument since 1952. This integration brings together mid-twentieth-century park design with an earlier fountain of significant heritage value.

The square is named after French composer Gabriel Pierné and features stone benches shaped like books, a reference to its proximity to the Bibliothèque Mazarine library.

The park is easily reached on foot from Pont Neuf bridge or nearby metro stations, making it accessible throughout the day. It remains open to the public without restricted hours, allowing visitors to stop by whenever convenient during a walk through the neighborhood.

A bronze sculpture titled 'Carolina' from 1968 by artist Marcello Tommasi sits quietly among the seating and often goes unnoticed by visitors. The central fountain features finely carved faces representing trade and prosperity, an artistic detail that receives little attention.