a glass-walled gazebo which acts as a greenhouse for a solitary tropical palm tree. The following tree specimens can be found in the square : four hybrid trees (Platanus x Hispanica), planted in 1840 and 1880, all between 32 and 38 metres high, one of which is 5.90 m in circumference and among the largest in Paris the purple beech (Fagus sylvatica, Fagus purpurea), one example of which is now gigantic the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), native to North America the Chinese 'corkscrew' willow (Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa) the Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna) ash trees with aucuba-like leaves (Fraxinus aucubaefolia) the Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) the trifolia lemon (Citrus limon) a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) Square des Batignolles is popular with children. There are several playgrounds, sand-boxes, swings, a carousel with old-fashioned wooden horses, an area for roller skating, and ping-pong tables. There are also areas for adults who wish to play pétanque, or boules. Metro stations The Square des Batignolles is: It is served by lines 2, 3, and 13'. References in popular culture Monique Andrée Serf, whose stage name was "Barbara", was a French singer and songwriter who was born in Paris on 9 June 1930 and died in Neuilly-sur-Seine on 24 November 1997. Her lyricism and depth of emotion earned her an audience that followed her avidly for forty years. Square des Batignolles was mentioned by Barbara in her song "Perlimpinpin": The taste of water, the taste of bread And the Perlimpinpin In the Square des Batignolles! Yves Duteil titled one of his songs, "Les Batignolles" (1976) : So, in the Square des Batignolles I forded the river to see the pigeons flying. We were running to catch them .... On the deck, watching the clouds, We inhaled the crazy smell That emerged from passing steam locomotives And, at the heart of the white smoke, Everything else disappeared ... . He refers here to the trains running between the Gare Saint-Lazare and the Gare de Pont-Cardinet stations nearby. References External links Square des Batignolles on Paris.fr Buildings and structures in the 17th arrondissement of Paris Batignolles Parks and open spaces in Paris