Paris is the city of love, lights, and fashion. With its dazzling architecture and numerous museums, it is easy to understand why so many people fall in love with the French capital. Many visitors spend their days wandering through exhibitions, dining on delicious cuisine, and roaming the city’s streets. While there are many things to see and do in Paris, one of the best ways to spend time like a local is to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in one of the best parks in Paris. This is a great way to unwind and enjoy a city break, especially if you have traveled a long distance to get to France. Traveling to Paris is quite easy as there are many direct flights from abroad. As long as you have the right travel documents, such as a passport and a visa (if required), your trip to this wonderful city should be seamless.
While there are many green spaces and gardens throughout Paris, there are some favorites that you should consider visiting. Each park is a little different, and if you have little time in the city, make sure to go to the right one.
Just a few blocks from the Pantheon in Paris is the ever-beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg. This splendid 17th-century park boasts formal gardens to stroll through, tranquil fountains, and numerous statues that evoke thought. The Jardin du Luxembourg, also known as the Luxembourg Gardens, was inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence and was built by the widow of King Henry IV, Marie de Medici, in 1612. The gardens are divided into two sides, one in French style and the other in English style. Visitors can wander through the geometric forest, enjoy a cup of coffee under the trees beside the Médicis Fountain, or take a walk in the apple orchard.
There is much to see and do in this park even with children. Visitors can rent small electric boats to sail on the pond or watch a puppet show. There are also carousels and slides and even an apiary where visitors can learn more about beekeeping. For adults, there are chess, tennis, and bridge to participate in. What makes this park even better is that there is a free arts episode where tourists can admire the free photographic exhibition along the garden paths. Often there are also free concerts in the park.
Jardin du Luxembourg is located between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, in the sixth arrondissement of Paris. There are many bus stops nearby and the closest metro station is the Odéon stop. Nearby attractions include the sculpture museum Musée Zadkine, the National Museum of the Middle Ages, and the Musée du Luxembourg.
On the north side of the city is a less formal park, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. This beautiful 19th-century green space was once a quarry before being transformed into one of Paris’s best parks.
The park covers about 25 hectares and offers a hilly landscape where visitors can enjoy incredible views of the city. In this beautiful green space, visitors will find caves to explore, waterfalls, an artificial lake, and exotic and native trees. This is a great area to sit for a picnic and enjoy the French fine weather. Keep in mind that although you might spot locals with a bottle of wine or beer in the park, alcohol consumption in parks is illegal and the law is sometimes enforced.
There are many other notable landmarks within the park, including an old iron railway bridge, a puppet theater, and a children’s playground. If you feel like having a cup of coffee or a snack, there are also some restaurants and bars inside the park where you can stop while exploring the area.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, in the northeast part of the city. The Buttes Chaumont metro station and the Botzaris metro station are right at the park entrance, and there are also many bus stops nearby.
Parc Monceau, on the northwest side of the city, is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris. Entering this incredible tree-filled park, visitors will pass through a series of large and elegant iron gates and find themselves surrounded by lush and lively gardens that have been well maintained. Throughout the park, there are many landmarks and striking statues, the most famous being the semicircular Roman columns surrounding a large pond. Visitors will also find the former Renaissance arch of the Paris city hall, a beautiful arched bridge, and children’s rides such as a carousel. There is also a playground and a puppet theater for children. This is a great park for a romantic walk with your partner or to bring your camera and take fantastic photos.
Parc Monceau is located on the edge of the eighth arrondissement of Paris. The nearest metro stations are Monceau and Courcelles, and there are many bus stops nearby. Famous attractions nearby include the Musée Nissim de Camondo, the Musée Cernuschi, and the Musée Jacquemart-André.
This splendid green space is the largest park in Paris. Bois de Boulogne spans about 2,090 acres and was formally royal hunting grounds for the French kings.
Bois de Boulogne has no shortage of activities for tourists and locals. Visitors can rent bicycles and take a scenic ride through the park or rent rowboats and enjoy a romantic ride across the lake. There are picnic areas for packed lunches and playgrounds where children can run and play. The park also hosts the Jardin d’Acclimatation, an amusement park with horseback rides, carousels, and games for young and old alike. Within the green space, you’ll also find the Fondation Louis Vuitton art museum, a racetrack, gardens, soccer fields, a golf driving range, campsites, restaurants, and a theater. Visitors can have fun cycling along 15 kilometers of trails or horseback riding on 28 kilometers of bridle paths.
There is so much to see and do in this park that covering it all in one day would be quite impressive. While there are many things to see and do, you can also stop at one of the park’s restaurants or cafés to recharge with caffeine and continue your adventures through the park. If you happen to visit between May and September, then head to the Jardin Shakespeare for a performance during the Festival du Théâtre.
This incredible park is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, near the Arc de Triomphe and the Albert-Kahn Museum and Garden. There are many metro and bus stops nearby, and since this park is so large, try to choose a stop closer to the attractions you would like to visit first.
Nestled between the Seine, Place de la Concorde, and the Musée du Louvre are the classic French formal gardens of the Jardin des Tuileries. The park is located where factories once stood. In 1564, Queen Catherine de Medici built the Palais des Tuileries and the surrounding gardens, which were redesigned in 1664 by King Louis XIV’s gardener, André Le Nôtre. This is a quiet place to rest while visiting some of the city’s main attractions. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee or read a book beside one of the two ponds or stroll among the beautiful statues throughout the park. The park also houses the Jeu de Paume museum and the Musée de l’Orangerie art museum, where visitors can admire paintings by iconic artists like Monet. Visitors can also eat or drink at one of the bars or pubs inside the park, then head to the Ferris wheel to enjoy a ride and the city view.
Every year, from late June to late August, the Fête des Tuileries festival takes place, featuring numerous rides and games for people of all ages. From March to April, visitors can also join free city tours in French in the park.
Jardin des Tuileries is located in the heart of the city in the 1st arrondissement. Many of the city’s main attractions are within walking distance of the park, including the Domaine National du Palais-Royal and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The closest metro stops to the park are Tuileries and Concorde.
If you are looking for a quiet park to hang out with your friends for a few hours or take a pleasant walk, then consider taking a look at The Green Flow.
This modern park was built around an old railway line, along which there are many flowers and wild plants. The park boasts a mix of modern design and features open areas where visitors can sunbathe or play ball with friends. Visitors can also walk along the old railway line, which is now a 4.5-kilometer pedestrian path that takes visitors past rose bushes, lindens, and hazelnut trees, along with other notable buildings in the area. If you have ever been to New York City, you might find the area familiar since the Promenade Plantée was the inspiration for the tree-lined walkway, the High Line.
This is definitely a hidden gem in Paris that many visitors do not know about, so it is a great place to get a sense of local life. Nearby there is a bakery and some coffee shops where tourists can grab a bite or a drink to take with them to the park.
The Green Flow is located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, within walking distance of Place de la Bastille and the Paris Gare de Lyon train station. The nearest metro stops are Ledru-Rollin and Bastille, and there are many bus stops nearby.
The Parc de la Villette is the place where culture and nature find balance in a splendid 55-hectare green space. Visitors can reach this large park on foot, by subway, bus, or boat.
There are a number of themed gardens in this park that allow visitors to take a cinematic-style garden walk complete with sound elements. At night, a glowing dotted line guided visitors through all 12 gardens. There are also intimate spaces where visitors can reflect, read, or write in a journal while enjoying the tranquility of nature. Throughout the park, there are several venues with live music, restaurants, rides, a playground, and an ecological garden where you can learn more about organic farming. After a walk in the park, visitors can head towards the shopping area in the park and visit the City of Science and Industry museum or discover the Argonaute submarine museum. The park also hosts numerous festivals, such as the outdoor film festival (Cinéma de Plein Air) and the Lantern Festival.
The Parc de la Villette is open every day from 6:00 am to 1:00 am and is located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, in the northeast part of the city. There are numerous tram and bus stops nearby, and the nearest metro stops are Porte de la Villette and Porte de Pantin.
Il Jardin des Plantes è uno dei parchi pubblici più famosi di Parigi, e per una buona ragione. Questo straordinario rifugio nella natura ospita sia giardini botanici che alpini, insieme a una scuola di giardini botanici dove i visitatori possono conoscere la botanica. Il parco ha più di 400 anni ed è stato costruito con l’idea di un luogo in cui studiare le piante e insegnare al pubblico la diversità degli alberi e della natura.
I visitatori possono passeggiare lungo i sentieri colorati mentre si godono la tranquillità della natura o dirigersi verso lo zoo Jardin des Plantes. Altre attrazioni del parco includono una serra restaurata del XIX secolo, il Labirinto del Jardin des Plantes, una serra della foresta tropicale, un recinto di wallaby e ristoranti. Dopo una passeggiata nel parco, i visitatori possono recarsi al Museo Nazionale di Storia Naturale per saperne di più su piante rare e dinosauri. Questo è davvero un parco unico nel suo genere, perfetto per persone di tutte le età. Oltre al Museo Nazionale di Storia Naturale, il parco ospita anche la Galleria Botanica, la Galleria di Mineralogia e il Museo di Geologia, un’esperienza di realtà virtuale e la Grande Galleria dell’Evoluzione. C’è anche una giostra su cui i bambini possono cavalcare e un laboratorio di rettili e anfibi.
Questo splendido giardino botanico di Parigi si trova nel quinto arrondissement di Parigi, accanto all’Università della Sorbona Pierre e al campus Marie Curie. Le attrazioni nelle vicinanze includono il Panthéon e le Arènes de Lutèce. Il modo migliore per raggiungere il parco è in tram, treno o metropolitana dalla stazione di Austerlitz. Ci sono anche molte fermate di autobus nelle vicinanze.
The Bois de Vincennes, also known as Vincennes Woods, is a huge park located on the southeast side of the city. With over 995 hectares of space, it’s no wonder this park is a favorite among tourists and locals alike.
Visitors can explore the park on bike paths, hiking trails, or by boat. The park is so large that it would be impossible to explore it in its entirety in one day, which is why many people come back again and again. Some highlights within this incredible green space include a botanical garden, a zoo, lakes, a circus, and even a Buddhist temple. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant stroll through the arboretum or head to the sports fields to play a game of soccer (European football). Since the park is so vast, it’s not hard to find a secluded spot for you and your group to relax with a picnic or soak up the sun. The Château de Vincennes is a breathtaking example of medieval architecture dating back to the 14th century and remains one of the park’s most important landmarks. It is open to the public for guided tours every day.
If you want to be more active at the park, go to the Parc Floral, where visitors can play an 18-hole mini-putt game, get competitive with a game of table tennis, or let the little ones run free in the playground. The park also hosts the We Love Green music festival every June.
Visitors can find the Bois de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, not far from the Bercy-Pavilions – Museum of Fairground Arts. The park has many entrances, so depending on where you plan to visit first, you should plan to find the closest metro or bus stop. On the north side of the park, the nearest metro stops are Fontenay-Sous-Bois, Bérault, and Château de Vincennes. On the south side, the nearest metro stops are Joinville-Le-Pont and Liberté.
If you are looking for a hillside park where you can relax with your partner or friends while admiring incredible views of Paris, then the Parc de Belleville is for you.
The area where the park is located was a small village where humble farmers worked and raised their families. When Paris expanded, it swallowed this small town and in 1988 the Parc de Belleville was built. This park is a little different from other parks, however, as it houses a large playground where children can climb, run, and slide on sleds. There is also a watercourse with waterfalls and streams where visitors can enjoy the subtle sounds of flowing water while reading a book. This is one of the best places in the city to have a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower and other monuments of Paris, so be sure to bring your camera! One of the most interesting features of this landscape is the residual testimony of the area’s wine production. Visitors will find over 130 vines throughout the park that are harvested by the city.
This incredible hillside park is located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. The easiest way to reach the park is by metro to the Pyrénées, Couronnes, or Belleville stops. There are also many bus stops nearby.
There you have it, the best parks and gardens of Paris. With so many incredible green spaces in the city, we understand that it is hard to narrow down to just a few to visit during your vacation. However, we are sure that whichever of these parks you decide to visit, you will find them nothing short of breathtaking.
