Ah, Paris, the city of love, lights, and fashion. With its dazzling architecture and plentiful museums, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with the French capital. Many visitors spend their days wandering through exhibits, dining on scrumptious cuisine, and wandering the city streets. While there are plenty of 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 vacation in the city, especially if you have traveled a long distance to get to France.
While there are many green spaces and gardens throughout Paris, there are a few favorites you should consider visiting. Every park is a bit different, and if you have a limited time in the city, you’ll want to make sure you head to the right one.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Just a few blocks away from the Pantheon in Paris sits the ever-beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg. This stunning 17th-century park boasts formal gardens to wander through, tranquil fountains, and plenty of thought-evoking statues. The Jardin du Luxembourg, also known as the Luxembourg Gardens, was inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence and was built by King Henry IV’s widow, Marie de Medici, in 1612. The gardens are split into two sides, one French-styled and the other English-styled. Visitors can roam through the geometric forest, enjoy a cup of coffee under the shade of trees beside the Fontaine Médicis, or go for a stroll through the apple orchard.
There is plenty to see and do at this park with kids as well. Visitors can rent little electric boats to sail them in the pond or catch a puppet show. There are also rides and slides and even an apiary where visitors can learn more about beekeeping. For adults, there is chess, tennis, and bridge to take part in. What makes this park even better is that there is a free art installment where tourists can take in the free photography exhibit along the garden rails. Often, there are free concerts in the park as well.
Jardin du Luxembourg is located between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, in the sixth arrondissement of Paris. There are plenty of bus stops nearby, and the closest subway station is the Odéon stop. Nearby attractions include the Musée Zadkine sculpture museum, the National Museum of the Middle Ages, and the Musée du Luxembourg.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
On the north side of the city sits a less formal park, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. This beautiful 19th-century green space was once a quarry before being turned into one of the best Parisian parks in Paris.
The park sprawls about 25 hectares and offers a hilly landscape in which visitors can enjoy incredible views of the city. Throughout this beautiful green space, visitors will find caves to explore, waterfalls, an artificial lake, and both exotic and indigenous trees. This is a great area to sit for a picnic and enjoy some beautiful French weather. Just keep in mind that even though you may spot locals with a bottle of wine or beer in the park, consuming alcohol 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 fancy having a cup of coffee or a bite to eat, there are also a few restaurants and bars within the park to stop at while exploring the area.
The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, on the northeast side of the city. The Buttes Chaumont subway stop and the Botzaris subway stop are right at the entrance to the park, and there are many nearby bus stops as well.
Parc Monceau
Parc Monceau, on the northwest side of the city, is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris. Upon entering this incredible wooded park, visitors will walk through a set of large elegant iron gates and find themselves surrounded by lush, vibrant gardens that have been beautifully manicured. Throughout the park, there are plenty of eye-catching landmarks and statues, the most well recognized being the semicircular Romanesque columns surrounding a large pond. Visitors will also find the former Paris City Hall Renaissance archway, a beautiful arched bridge, and amusement rides for kids like a merry-go-round. There is also a playground and a puppet theater for kids. This is a great park to take a romantic stroll with your partner or to bring your camera and get some fantastic photos.
Parc Monceau is located on the edge of the eighth arrondissement of Paris. The closest subway stations are Monceau and Courcelles, and there are many bus stops nearby. Popular attractions nearby include the Musée Nissim de Camondo, the Musée Cernuschi, and the Musée Jacquemart-André.
Bois de Boulogne
This gorgeous green space is the largest park in Paris. Bois de Boulogne stretches across about 2,090 acres and was formally the royal hunting grounds for French kings.
Bois de Boulogne has no shortage of activities for tourists and locals alike. Visitors can rent bikes and go for a scenic ride in the park or rent rowboats and go for a romantic ride along the lake. There are picnic areas to enjoy a packed lunch and playgrounds for children to run around and have some fun. The park is also home to Jardin d’Acclimatation, an amusement park with horseback riding, rides, and games for the young and the young at heart. Also found in the green space is the art museum Fondation Louis Vuitton, a horse racing track, gardens, football pitches, a golf club, camping, restaurants, and a theater. Visitors can enjoy biking on 15 kilometers of trails or riding horses on 28 kilometers of bridle trails.
There is so much to see and do in this park that packing it all into one day would be very impressive. While there are lots to see and do, you can also stop in at one of the restaurants or cafés in the park to caffeinate yourself up to continue your adventures through the park. If you happen to be visiting between May and September, then head over to the Jardin Shakespeare to catch a show 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 plenty of subway stops and bus stops nearby, and since this park is so large, try to pick a stop nearest the attractions you would like to visit first.
Jardin des Tuileries
Nestled in between the Seine, the Place de la Concorde, and the Musée du Louvre sits the classic French formal gardens of Jardin des Tuileries. The park sits where factories once stood. In 1564, Queen Catherine dei Medici built the Palais des Tuileries and the surrounding gardens, which were remodeled 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 top attractions. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee or read a book beside one of the two ponds, or wander around the stunning statues throughout the park. The park is also home to the Jeu de Paume museum and the Musée de l’Orangerie art museum, where visitors can view paintings from iconic artists such as Monet. Visitors can also grab a bite to eat or a drink at one of the bars or pubs within the park, then head over to the Ferris wheel to enjoy a ride and views of the city.
From the end of June to the end of August every year, the Fête des Tuileries festival takes place, with plenty of fair rides and games for people of all ages. From March to April, visitors can also take part in free tours of the city in French in the park.
Jardin des Tuileries is located in the heart of the city in the first arrondissement. Many of the city’s top attractions are just steps away from the park, including the Domaine National du Palais-Royal and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The closest subway stops to the park are the Tuileries and the Concorde stops.
La Coulée Verte (Promenade Plantée)
If you are looking for a laid-back park to hang out in with your friends for a few hours or to go for a leisurely walk, then consider checking out La Coulée Verte.
This modern park was built around an old rail line, along which there are plenty of wildflowers and plants. The park boasts a mixture of modern design and has open areas where visitors can sunbathe or kick a ball around with friends. Visitors can also walk along the old rail line, which is now a 4.5-kilometer walking trail that takes visitors past rose bushes, lime trees, 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 as 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 don’t know about, so it’s a great spot to get a feel for local life. Nearby there is a bakery and a few coffee shops where tourists can grab a bite or a drink to bring with them to the park.
La Coulée Verte is located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, just a short walk from the Place de la Bastille and the Paris Gare de Lyon train station. The closest subway stops are Ledru-Rollin and Bastille, and there are plenty of bus stops nearby.
Parc de la Villette
The Parc de la Villette is where culture and nature find balance in a beautiful 55-hectare green space. Visitors can reach this large park by foot, subway, bus, or boat.
There are a number of themed gardens in this park that allow visitors to go on a cinematic-like garden walk complete with sound elements. At night, a luminous dotted line guided visitors through all 12 gardens. There are intimate spaces as well where visitors can reflect, read, or journal while enjoying the tranquility of nature. Throughout the park, there are a few live music venues, restaurants, carousel rides, a playground, and an ecological garden where you can learn more about organic farming. After a stroll through the grounds, visitors can head to the mall area in the park and check out the City of Science and Industry museum or discover the Argonaute Submarine museum. The park also plays host to a number of festivals, such as the open-air film festival (Cinéma de Plein Ai) and the Lantern Festival.
Parc de la Villette is open every day from 6 a.m. until 1 a.m., and it is located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris on the northeast side of the city. There are numerous tram and bus stops nearby, and the closest subway stops are the Porte de la Villette and the Porte de Pantin.
Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes is one of the most popular public parks in Paris, and for good reason. This stunning nature retreat is home to both botanical and alpine gardens, along with a botanical garden school where visitors can learn about botany. The park is over 400 years old and was built with the concept 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 over to the Jardin des Plantes zoo. Other attractions in the park include a restored 19th-century hothouse, the Labyrinth of the Jardin des Plantes, a tropical forest greenhouse, a wallaby enclosure, and restaurants. After a stroll through the grounds, visitors can head over to the National Museum of Natural History to learn more about rare plants and dinosaurs. This is truly a one-of-a-kind park that is great for those of all ages. Other than the National Museum of Natural History, the park is also home to the Botanique Gallery, the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology Museum, a virtual reality experience, and the Grand Gallery of Evolution. There is also a carousel for kids to ride on and a Reptiles and Amphibians Laboratory.
This stunning botanical garden in Paris is located in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, next to the Sorbonne University Pierre and 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 plenty of bus stops nearby.
Bois de Vincennes
The Bois de Vincennes, also known as Vincennes Woods, is a massive 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.
Visitors can explore the park on biking paths, hiking paths, or by boat. The park is so large it would be impossible to explore it in its entirety in one day, which is why many people return over and over 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 leisurely walk through the arboretum or head over to the sports fields to play a game of (European) football. Because the park is so large, it’s not hard to find a secluded space for you and your group to unwind with a picnic or to enjoy the sunshine. The Château of Vincennes is a breathtaking example of medieval architecture dating back to the 14th century and remains one of the park’s most notable landmarks. It is open to the public for tours every day.
If you want to get more active at the park, head over to the Parc Floral, where visitors can play a round of 18-hole miniputt, get competitive with a game of ping-pong, or let the little ones run around on the playground. The park also plays host to the We Love Green music festival in June every year.
Visitors can find the Bois de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, not far from the Pavilions of Bercy–Museum of Fairground Arts. The park has many entrances, so depending on where you plan on visiting first, you should plan to find the closest subway or bus stop. On the north side of the park, the closest subway stops are Fontenay-Sous-Bois, Bérault, and Château de Vincennes. On the south side, the closest subway stops are Joinville-Le-Pont and Liberté.
Parc de Belleville
If you are looking for a hillside park where you can lounge with your partner or friends while taking in incredible views of Paris, then Parc de Belleville is for you.
The area in which the park sits used to be a small village where humble farmers worked and raised their families. As Paris expanded, it ate up this small town, and in 1988, Parc de Belleville was built. This park is a bit different than other parks, though, as it is home to a large play area where kids can climb, run, and slide on toboggans. There is also a watercourse with waterfalls and streams where visitors can enjoy the subtle sounds of trickling water while reading a book. This is one of the best spots in the city to get a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks, so make sure to bring your camera! One of the most interesting features of this landscape is the leftover evidence of wine production in the area. Visitors will find over 130 grape 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 subway to either the Pyrénées, the Couronnes, or the Belleville stops. There are also plenty of bus stops nearby.
There you have them, 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 sure that whichever of these parks you decide to visit, you’ll find they are nothing short of breathtaking.
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