Square de la Roquette Souvenirs

The Paris Square de la Roquette has a varied and interesting past.  Three families have owned this square. The Rocquet de la Tribouille familly, Henry III, the Comte de Cheverny and Germain Teste all have been owners. The Sisters of the Hospital of Notre Dame had both a convent and convalescent home here between 1690 and 1789.

In 1825 a prison was built here that house young prisoners between the ages of 6 and 20 years. From 1932 – 1973 it was a women’s prison and in 1974 this prison was demolished and the Square de la Roquette was built. The plaque on the front entry is a grim reminder that this was not always a serene and beautiful place. The memorial plaque on the front honors the 4,000 women of the Resistance imprisoned here during the German Occupation of Paris.

 

 

 

Above is a dovecote (pigeonnier) that you will find outside the gate to this square. Paris has built 13 of these dovecotes thus far. Will the effort control and monitor the population of the pigeons? The population for common wood pigeons, doves and the rock dove numbers approximately 80,000. That is the equivalent of 1 pigeon for every 25 inhabitants! You should be aware that it is illegal to feed any wildlife in Paris.

 

 

Square de la Roquette is such a beautiful peaceful place it is hard to remember its oppressive past as a prison.

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