Paris is the city of love, lights, and fashion. With its dazzling architecture and numerous museums, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with the French capital. Many visitors spend their days wandering through exhibitions, dining on delicious cuisine, and strolling through 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 vacation, especially if you have traveled a long distance to get to France. Traveling to Paris is fairly easy as there are many direct flights from abroad. Provided 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 you should consider visiting. Each park is a bit 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 features formal gardens to stroll through, peaceful fountains, and numerous statues that evoke thought. The Jardin du Luxembourg, also known as 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 the French style and the other in the English style. Visitors can wander through the geometric forest, enjoy a cup of coffee in the shade of the trees next to the Médicis Fountain, or take a walk in the orchard.
There is plenty 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 rides and slides and even an apiary where visitors can learn more about beekeeping. For adults, there are chess, tennis, and bridge games to take part in. What makes this park even better is that there is a free art 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 green space from the 19th century 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 down for a picnic and enjoy the French nice weather. Note 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’re in the mood for a cup of coffee or a snack, there are also some restaurants and bars inside the park to stop by while you explore the area.
The 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 wooded park, visitors will pass through a series of large and elegant iron gates and find themselves surrounded by lush and vibrant gardens that have been well maintained. Throughout the park there are many landmarks and captivating statues, the most famous being the semicircular Roman columns surrounding a large pond. Visitors will also find the former Renaissance arch of the Paris town 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 stroll 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 nearby attractions 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 covers around 2,090 acres and was formerly the royal hunting grounds for 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 trip on the lake. There are picnic areas for packed lunches and playgrounds where children can run and have fun. The park also hosts the Jardin d’Acclimatation, an amusement park with horseback rides, carousels, and games for both young and old. Within the green space, there is also the Fondation Louis Vuitton art museum, a racetrack, gardens, soccer fields, a golf driving range, campsites, restaurants, and a theater. Visitors can enjoy cycling on 15 kilometers of paths or horseback riding on 28 kilometers of bridle paths.
There is so much to see and do in this park that fitting everything into one day would be truly 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 some caffeine and continue your adventures throughout the park. If you happen to visit between May and September, then head to the Jardin Shakespeare to watch 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 peaceful place to rest while visiting some of the city’s major 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 such as Monet. Visitors can also eat or drink at one of the bars or pubs within 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 guided tours of the city in French within 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, 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 to take a pleasant walk, then consider taking a look at The Green Corridor.
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 has 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, lime trees, and hazelnuts, 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 cafes where tourists can grab a bite or a drink to take with them to the park.
The Green Corridor is located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, just a few steps from 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.
Parc de la Villette is the place where culture and nature find balance in a beautiful 55-hectare green space. Visitors can reach this large park on foot, by metro, bus, or boat.
There are a series 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 some 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 to the shopping area within the park and visit the City of Science and Industry museum or explore the Argonaute submarine museum. The park also hosts numerous festivals, such as the outdoor film festival (Cinéma de Plein Air) and the Lantern Festival.
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 closest metro stops are Porte de la Villette and Porte de Pantin.
The Jardin des Plantes is one of the most famous public parks in Paris, and for good reason. This extraordinary nature refuge hosts both botanical and alpine gardens, along with a botanical school where visitors can learn about botany. The park is over 400 years old and was created with the idea of a place to study plants and teach the public about the diversity of trees and nature.
Visitors can stroll along the colorful paths while enjoying the tranquility of nature or head to the Jardin des Plantes Zoo. Other park attractions include a restored 19th-century greenhouse, the Jardin des Plantes Maze, a tropical forest greenhouse, a wallaby enclosure, and restaurants. After a walk in the park, visitors can go to the National Museum of Natural History to learn more about rare plants and dinosaurs. This is truly a unique park, perfect for people of all ages. In addition to the National Museum of Natural History, the park also hosts the Botanical Gallery, the Mineralogy Gallery, and the Geology Museum, a virtual reality experience, and the Grand Gallery of Evolution. There is also a carousel for children to ride and a reptile and amphibian laboratory.
This beautiful botanical garden in Paris is located in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, next to the Sorbonne University Pierre and the Marie Curie campus. Nearby attractions include the Panthéon and the Arènes de Lutèce. The best way to reach the park is by tram, train, or metro from Austerlitz station. There are also many bus stops nearby.
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 fully in one day, which is why many people return 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 large, it’s not hard to find a secluded spot for you and your group to relax with a picnic or enjoy 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 in the park, head to Parc Floral, where visitors can play an 18-hole mini-golf game, get competitive with a game of ping-pong, or let the little ones run around in the playground. The park also hosts the We Love Green music festival every June.
Visitors can find Bois de Vincennes in Paris’s 12th arrondissement, 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 park’s north side, the closest metro stops are Fontenay-Sous-Bois, Bérault, and Château de Vincennes. On the south side, the closest metro stops are Joinville-Le-Pont and Liberté.
If you are looking for a park on a hill where you can relax with your partner or friends while admiring incredible views of Paris, then Parc de Belleville is for you.
The area where the park is located was once a small village where humble farmers worked and raised their families. When Paris expanded, it swallowed up this small town and in 1988 Parc de Belleville was built. This park is a bit different from other parks, however, as it features a large playground area 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 get a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower and other monuments in Paris, so be sure to bring your camera! One of the most interesting features of this landscape is the remaining 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 get to the park is by metro to the Pyrénées, Couronnes, or Belleville stops. There are also many nearby bus stops.
There you have it, the best parks and gardens in Paris. With so many incredible green spaces in the city, we understand it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few to visit during your holiday. However, we are confident that whichever of these parks you decide to visit, you will find them nothing short of breathtaking.
