SQUARE PLANCHON

Designed in 1858 by the Bühler brothers and restored on the occasion of the construction of the first tram line, this small garden facing the Gare Saint Roch is a shady place to refresh in summer while waiting for your train, bus or tram. Planted with exotic species, such as ginkgo biloba, chestnut trees, maple, liquidambar, Lebanon cedar, there are also some palm trees and bamboo. The curiosity of this garden is the imposing mossy island that adorns the body of water. It was at its creation a small rock of about fifty centimeters which has been enriched with limestone and foam over time to give this immense aggregate. On rue Maguelone, the park welcomes the bust of the scientist Emile Planchon – 1823-1888 – in recognition of his role in the fight against phylloxera, by introducing American vine plants in the 19th century. By the way, note that the character, at the foot of the bust that pays tribute to Jules Planchon, is represented by the famous Montpellier inhabitant painter Frédéric Bazille, who served as a model for the sculptor. A beautiful square formerly frequented by the Montpellier inhabitants accompanied by their children who enjoyed a nice playground that now much less popular due to its dubious frequentation.