10 parks and gardens to visit in Paris

Luxembourg Gardens, unmissable

An unmissable Parisian garden, historic and mixed, combining a French formal garden and an English garden, it appeals equally to lovers of landscaped gardens and of classic gardens. The ‘Luco’, as Parisians call it, is a 24-hectare garden. The magnificently flowering beds of the French formal garden transport you several centuries back, to 1612, when Marie de’ Medici remodelled the garden…

Take a chair, settle in the sun and leaf through a book. Don’t miss Luxembourg’s apiary and its conservatory orchard, listed as a national collection.

• Access: Notre-Dame-des-Champs stop (Metro line 12) or Luxembourg station (RER C).

Botanical garden, unmissable

It is impossible to miss the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. In the heart of the Latin Quarter, at the foot of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, it is the product of science, history and gardeners’ expert landscaping choices. Alpine garden, ornamental pavilion, rotunda, peony garden and rose garden adorn this historic 23-hectare site. From botanically classified plants for the apprentice botanists to ornamental flower beds for the flower enthusiasts, there is something for everyone. Central in the capital of Paris, it is essential to wander its pathways on a Parisian getaway.

• Access: Jussieu stop (Métro 7 or 10), Place Monge (Métro 7) or Gare d’Austerlitz (RER C, Métro 10 or 5).

Buttes-Chaumont Park, a green haven

Often cited as Parisians’ favourite park, Buttes-Chaumont Park is a large 25-hectare green space where nature prevails. Majestic trees, a large waterfall, a temple, streams, a lake and its lookout island immerse you in a verdant setting in the heart of Paris. Sheltered from traffic noise, you hear only the lapping of water, birdsong and children’s laughter at the Guignol puppet shows or playing hook-a-duck. A true haven of greenery, this breathing space is popular with Parisians for walking, picnics or for a sunset lighting up the Sacré-Cœur. It offers an unbeatable view of the Sacré-Cœur!

• Access: Buttes-Chaumont stop (Metro line 7bis) or Botzaris stop (Metro line 7bis).

Montsouris Park, romantic

A touch romantic, Parc Montsouris is ideal for a photographic stroll. Its remarkable trees, small rose garden, cascade and above all its lake are major assets of this Haussmannian garden. Picturesque as can be, it’s not uncommon to come across painters with their easels. Within its 16 hectares, discover the landscape tableaux shaped by groves and rolling short grass meadows.

Don’t leave this park without taking in the breathtaking view at the foot of the lake: a particularly colourful wonder in autumn.

• Access: Parc Montsouris stop (tram T3A) or Cité Universitaire stop (RER B or tram T3A)

Parc Monceau: chic and romantic

Parc Monceau is undoubtedly the most romantic and chic garden in the capital. In the heart of the 8th arrondissement, its monumental gates with gilt decoration and Ledoux’s rotunda welcome visitors to the park. Covering 8 hectares, this Haussmannian garden features rich flowering beds, a cascade, a miniature Rialto Bridge and, above all, a naumachia. Emblematic of the park, its naumachia is a basin adorned with colonnades and a weeping willow. The ‘Ancient Rome’ atmosphere is perfectly evoked. Parc Monceau is ideal for short strolls or romantic picnics.

• Access: Monceau stop (Metro 2)

Picturesque Bagatelle Park

From water gardens and the iris garden to the magnificent collection rose garden, you’ll need more than half a day to enjoy the plant charm of this bucolic gem. In turn, wander through English groves, Japanese-style beds, a formal French garden and forests. This iconic site promises a walk through garden art and botany. Flower lovers, this is your corner of paradise.

Parc de Bagatelle is part of Paris’s botanical gardens, alongside Parc Floral, the arboretum of the École du Breuil and the Auteuil greenhouses. Note that admission is charged for part of the year.

• Access: Pont de Neuilly stop (metro 1), Place-de-Bagatelle (bus 43 or 93) or Bagatelle-Pré-Catelan (bus 244).

Bercy Park, contemporary

Contemporary creation located in the heart of the 12^th arrondissement, Parc de Bercy traces the history of garden art with its medieval-inspired garden, its French-style garden and, finally, its romantic garden. The medieval-inspired garden charms with its themed gardens: the rose garden, the vegetable garden, the wind garden, the bulb garden, the scented garden and the maze. As for the English-style garden, it leads visitors through landscapes of the romantic garden: lake, water lilies and ponds. Everyone can find an atmosphere to suit them there: from a small nook to relax away from prying eyes to large short grass meadows for running or playing football.

• Access: Bercy stop (metro lines 6 or 14) or Cours Saint-Emilion stop (metro line 14).

Auteuil Greenhouses — Turn-of-the-Century Charm

When the weather isn’t on your side, visit the Serres d’Auteuil! Sheltered inside 1900s-style glasshouses, with a minimum temperature of 18°C, you can travel to the four corners of the world with plants: Sahel, New Caledonia, South America, Oceania… All continents are represented. You’ll discover cactus, orchids, bromeliads, ferns and other common plants such as cacao, tea, coffee and banana plants… This lush setting is accompanied by parakeet calls in the large palm house, home to a Canary Island palm more than a century old.

Serres d’Auteuil are evolving with the addition of new contemporary glasshouses. Not to be missed!

• Access: Porte d’Auteuil stop (metro line 10)

Peaceful Arboretum du Breuil

For tree lovers, fans of picnics in tall herb, walkers and above all for those seeking unparalleled tranquillity in Paris, I recommend the arboretum of the École du Breuil. Little known, almost wild, this 13-hectare park is guided solely by trees. It offers islets of greenery, prairies covered in herb and even a small stream to dip your feet in. Only drawback is its distance from Paris: it is located in the heart of Vincennes Wood, on the outskirts of the 12^th arrondissement.

Plan to spend a day and pack a picnic to laze in this corner of Parisian nature.

• Access: RER A stop Joinville Le Pont.

Albert Kahn Garden, unique

It is impossible not to mention the magnificent Japanese-style garden of Albert Kahn. Officially located in Boulogne, it is so close to Paris that it would be a shame not to point it out. Albert Kahn created a unique garden over 4 hectares, featuring a blue forest, a rose garden, a Vosges forest, a French formal garden, an English garden and, above all, a Japanese garden. If you crave travel, exoticism and garden art, the Albert Kahn garden will satisfy you. Admission fee applies.

• Access: Boulogne–Pont de Saint-Cloud stop (Métro line 10).

See also:

Our beautiful Parisian capital is rich in green spaces. We also recommend visiting Parc André Citroën (15th arrondissement), Parc Floral (12th arrondissement) and the recently opened Parc Martin Luther King (17th arrondissement).