Surrounded by lively café terraces, it takes its name from the embankment of the moat that encircled Philip Augustus's rampart. Rabelais celebrated the *Pomme de Pin* tavern, located at No. 1, where the likes of Ronsard and Du Bellay used to gather. Just a short walk north of the square, Descartes frequently stayed at No. 14 Rue Rollin, while Bernardin de Saint-Pierre wrote *Paul et Virginie* at No. 4.