Parc Suzanne Buisson

"A small garden with a saint who’s holding his own head! It’s quite tranquil here as the bulk of the tourists don’t come down this way, it’s mainly residents and kids playing.

There are two small games pitches but it’s not a loud game, so it won’t disturb.

Spend some time here if you’re tired from walking up the hill, listen to the water and feel regenerated"

Caïna Verrin

"After a busy morning wandering around Montmartre, my wife and I were in search of somewhere calm to catch our breath. We had started the day at the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, climbing its steps and towers for those sweeping views over Paris, and later made our way through the pretty backstreets towards Villa Léandre. By the time we left that charming lane behind, our legs were asking for a break and a glass of water more than another viewpoint. That was the perfect excuse to continue our walk downhill, following the quieter residential streets until we reached Square Suzanne Buisson.

The approach itself is pleasant and very “Montmartre” in character. From the livelier streets, we turned into Rue Girardon, where the traffic noise seems to fade and the houses feel more local than touristic. The pavements here are reasonably wide, though the natural slopes of Montmartre are always present, so you do notice the uphill and downhill sections. The square is tucked slightly back from the road, a small gated green space set between typical Parisian apartment blocks with their wrought-iron balconies, giving the feeling of stepping into a neighbourhood garden rather than a big public park.

Inside, we found exactly what we were looking for: benches in the shade, trees, and a peaceful atmosphere. Families were using the children’s playground on one side, while a few locals chatted near the pétanque area. It’s not a grand park, but it feels very lived-in and genuine, the kind of place where residents bring their children or sit with a book in the afternoon. For us, it was an ideal spot to sit down, drink some water, and rest our feet away from the crowds further up the hill.

One very practical advantage of stopping here is that it’s a sensible place for a short break in the middle of a Montmartre walking route. If you’re planning a loop that includes Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, Villa Léandre or the nearby Place Dalida, Square Suzanne Buisson works nicely as a halfway pause. There are public toilets in the area, and a handful of cafés and bakeries can be found within a few minutes’ walk on the surrounding streets, so you can combine a rest on a bench with a quick snack or coffee before continuing your exploration.

In terms of accessibility, the square itself is relatively flat once you are inside, with level paths and seating, which is helpful if you have mobility concerns or are pushing a pram. Getting there, however, still means tackling some of Montmartre’s natural inclines, so it’s worth planning your route carefully and avoiding the steepest staircases if that is an issue. The nearest Metro options such as Lamarck–Caulaincourt or Abbesses involve steps; buses are often a more comfortable choice if you prefer gentler access to the area.

We didn’t stay long enough to treat it as a full “destination” in itself, but it fulfilled an important role in our day: a small island of calm between more famous sights. As we sat on the bench, watching local children play and listening to the soft murmur of conversations around us, we were reminded that Montmartre is not only postcard views and artists’ squares, but also a real neighbourhood with everyday spaces.

If you’re exploring Montmartre on foot and find yourself in need of a quiet pause, Square Suzanne Buisson is a lovely little detour. Come here to rest, rehydrate, use the nearby facilities and enjoy ten or fifteen minutes of greenery before heading back to the busy streets above. It’s not the highlight of a Paris itinerary, but it’s exactly the sort of place that makes a walking day feel more human and less rushed."

Carlos Rangel

"What a great little park to get out and stretch the legs. Just enough for the children to play on, great benches for adult sitting. Plenty of trees to shade during the heat."

R Pritchard