Perfectly blending into the architecture and city life, Paris parks are some of the most beautiful in the world. The green spaces offer you a tranquil escape and a taste of Parisian everyday life. Let’s explore some of the most iconic parks in Paris, each with its own unique charm and history.
Jardin du Luxembourg: My Favorite Paris Park
Nestled in the 6th arrondissement, Jardin du Luxembourg is a wonderful place to spend an hour or three. Commissioned in 1612, this park is known for its beautiful flowerbeds, tree-lined promenades, and the stunning Luxembourg Palace. Today it houses the French Senate.
Whenever I go there myself, I love to stroll along the pathways and enjoy the atmosphere and lush surroundings. There are chairs and benches all around, so bring a book and something to eat.
The park also features impressive statues, fountains, and an apple orchard. Around the large Grand Basin, children often sail miniature boats – especially during the weekends. This has been a tradition for almost 100 years. When the weather is good they can usually be rented there if you have kids that want to try it.
You can also take children horseback riding in Jardin du Luxembourg.
Jardin des Plantes: A Botanical Wonderland
Jardin des Plantes, close to the Seine in the 5th arrondissement, is the main botanical garden of France. It is also home to the Natural History Museum, which offers fascinating exhibits on natural sciences.
Highlights of Jardin des Plantes include the enchanting Rose Garden, the Alpine Garden, and the menagerie. This is one of the oldest zoos in the world. This park is a haven, both for botany enthusiasts and for anyone looking to relax.
Jardin des Tuileries: A mid-town Historic Haven
Situated between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, Jardin des Tuileries is one of Paris’s most visited parks. It can often be a bit too crowded with tourists, for my personal taste, but I love it anyway. The key to having a lovely time here, is to avoid mid-days and early afternoons when “everyone else” is there too. Go for a morning walk, or have a run before breakfast. If can also be magnificent if you are travelling off season, early in spring or after the summer holidays – especially in September and the first part of October.
The formal French garden layout, designed by landscape architect André Le Nôtre, features manicured lawns, statues, and fountains. The park offers stunning views of the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe.
Jardin du Palais Royal: Elegance and Tranquility
Let’s move on to another jewel in the heart of Paris. Just a few minutes walk from the Louvre, Jardin du Palais Royal offers a serene escape with its combination of stunning buildings and a pretty, green lunge. Enclosed by the Palais Royal and its arcades, this garden is a natural beauty and popular spot.
Visitors can admire the iconic black-and-white striped columns of Daniel Buren’s art installation, “Les Deux Plateaux,” or simply relax by the central fountain.
The surrounding arcades are home to charming cafes and boutiques, adding to the garden’s sophisticated ambiance. One of them is the trendy coffee shop Café Kitsuné, famous around the world thanks to thousands of Instagram photos during recent years.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: A Scenic Retreat
Looking for the best place to run, and/or the park with mostly locals and no tourists? Then I would highly recommend you to choose Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Located in the 19th arrondissement, it is one of Paris’s largest and most picturesque parks. Opened in 1867, this park is known for its dramatic landscapes, including steep cliffs, a lake, and a suspension bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel.
It takes a little while to get there, but it is definitely worth it if you are looking for an insiders’ experience with a lot of space all to your self. You can take the subway to one of the stations nearby, or hire a bike for an extra workout up the hillside (note that bikes are not allowed inside parks).
A highlight of the park is the Temple de la Sibylle, perched atop a rocky island and offering panoramic views of the city. With its winding paths, hills, waterfalls, and grottoes, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is quite different from most of the other parks in Paris. I love it.
Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne
The biggest Paris parks are two big, wonderful forests just outside the city at both the east side and west side. You can easily reach both of them by Metro line 1.
- East: Bois de Vincennes – Often referred to as the “lungs of Paris.” Here you will find beautiful lakes, the Parc Floral de Paris, a zoo, and the impressive Château de Vincennes. Bois de Vincennes is a perfect spot for cycling, running, boating, and picnicking.
- West: Bois de Boulogne – Another stunning area with plenty of space for outdoor activities. You can also attend horseraces at Hippodrome de Longchamp, visit the modern art museum Fondation Louis Vuitton, and take the family to Jardin d’Acclimatation, an amusement park for children. Bois de Bologne has something for every taste and age.
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