In a city renowned for its manicured formal gardens and grand public spaces, Le Jardin Catherine Labouré stands apart—a secret sanctuary tucked away in Paris's chic 7th arrondissement. This hidden oasis offers visitors a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets while revealing a fascinating layer of Parisian history.

A Garden With History

The garden occupies land once belonging to the Daughters of Charity convent, established in 1633 by Saint Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac. Named after Catherine Labouré, a 19th-century nun who claimed to have visions of the Virgin Mary within these grounds, the space carries spiritual significance that belies its modest 7,000 square meters.

In the 1970s, the City of Paris acquired a portion of the convent's land and transformed it into a public garden, preserving elements of its religious heritage while creating a community space for locals and travelers alike.

Finding the Secret Entrance

Part of the garden's charm lies in its elusive entrance. Hidden along rue de Babylone behind an unassuming green metal gate, many Parisians walk past without noticing the verdant world beyond. This discretion makes discovering Le Jardin Catherine Labouré feel like uncovering a well-kept Parisian secret.

Once inside, visitors traverse a long, narrow pathway before the garden suddenly opens up, revealing its full splendor—a moment of transition that heightens the sense of discovery.

A Garden of Many Facets

Unlike the symmetrical designs of the Tuileries or Luxembourg Gardens, Catherine Labouré embraces a more natural, varied landscape:

• Winding pathways guide visitors through different themed areas
• Community vegetable gardens (jardins partagés) where locals tend to seasonal produce
• A children's playground nestled among flowering trees
• Quiet benches beneath mature chestnut trees perfect for reading or contemplation
• Vibrant flowerbeds that change with the seasons, from spring tulips to summer roses

The garden's relatively compact size creates an intimate atmosphere where every corner offers something new to discover.

Seasonal Treasures

Each season brings fresh character to the garden. Spring unveils a palette of blossoms and new growth. Summer transforms it into a lush, green retreat as Parisians escape the heat beneath shady trees. Autumn paints the space in golden hues as leaves fall onto meandering paths. Even winter has its charm, with skeletal trees revealing architectural details previously hidden by foliage.

a community space

What truly distinguishes Catherine Labouré from Paris's more famous gardens is its community focus. The shared vegetable plots, maintained by local residents, represent a thriving urban agriculture movement. On weekends, children from nearby apartments play freely while their parents chat on benches. Students from neighboring schools find quiet corners to study.

The garden exemplifies how urban green spaces can foster community connections while honoring historical legacy.

Practical Information

Location: 29 rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris
Metro: Sèvres-Babylone (Lines 10 and 12)
Opening Hours: Generally 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM (hours extend in summer and shorten in winter)
Admission: Free
Nearby Attractions: Le Bon Marché department store, Église Saint-François-Xavier, Musée Rodin (15-minute walk)

the perfect visit

The street itself occasionally appeared in Saint Laurent's professional narrative. His 1977 fragrance "Opium" was launched with a legendary party aboard a ship docked at New York's South Street Seaport, but the concept and packaging were reportedly developed during quiet evenings at Rue de Babylone.
Fashion journalists who were granted the rare privilege of interviewing Saint Laurent at home often described how the apartment's aesthetic—its mix of periods, its juxtaposition of ancient and modern—seemed to perfectly encapsulate the designer's approach to fashion, where historical references were constantly reinterpreted through a contemporary lens.