12 parks and gardens to visit in Paris
There are so many things to do and to see in Paris. But you cannot help but feel like you are spending so much time indoors, visiting enormous museums, going to the newest exhibits, shopping in the trendiest of stores or going to the cinema or to the theater. Apart from an outdoor festival or tourist attraction, what else can you do to make sure you enjoy the sun on a lovely day? Here is a list with 12 of the most appealing parks and gardens in Paris where you can sit back and watch the world go by.
Jardins de Tuileries
The big water basin in the Jardin des Tuileries
The Tuileries Gardens are situated between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde and they were landscaped in 1664 by André Le Nôtre, the famous gardener of King Louis XIV. Visitors can enjoy the style of the formal French garden and admire works of Rodin, Maillol and Giacometti. Another Museum close to the Tuileries is the Musée de L’Orangerie, where Monet’s works can be seen.
At the Louvre Pyramid
The courtyard of the Louvre Palace
The Louvre Palace courtyard is a very generous space where you can simply sit and admire the French architecture at its finest. Apart from being a point of entrance to the museum through the pyramid, the yard is a favorite among locals and tourists alike when they are looking for a unique spot to rest for a few minutes or read a book. Along the wall there are stone benches where you can rest. This is a great place to wait for your group, browse though some news and have a coffee “to go” or simply catch your breath.
Jardin de Luxembourg
Jardin de Luxebourg
This is a great place to relax for a few moments. There are stone benches in the shade or you can simply pull one of those metal chairs and place them wherever you want in the park. You can even put your feet up or simply sit back in the chairs that allow it. The best thing about it is that most people are there to do just that. So there is a lot of peace and quiet in the Jardin de Luxembourg.
Jardins des Plantes
Jardin des Plantes
This is a botanical garden that contains over 10,000 species of plants. You can also feast your eyes on the tropical plants in the greenhouse or you can enjoy the special rose gardens. Also landscaped in the style of the French formal garden, the Jardin des Plantes has been open to the public since 1640. There is also a small zoo on location if you want to see the fauna as well as the flora.
Parc de BelleVille
Parc de Belleville
Located on top of Belleville hill, Belleville park offers an amazing view of the city. This used to be a small village where people who had been chased away from the city during an ample renovation project toward the end of 19th century came to live. The place is great for children as there is a small wooden village for them to play in.
Place Dauphine
Place Dauphine
We admit this place is completely different from the leafy other options we have presented so far, but it is a great place to rest for a few minutes on a day when you are busy visiting the sights. Another great thing about it is that you can sit on a bench and be surrounded by these examples of beautiful French architecture and even wonder what it would be like to live there.
Bois de Vincennes
Bois de Vincennes
This is much more than a Park. The Bois (Forest) of Vincennes is located next to the Château de Vincennes, an imposing edifice you will love to admire from a distance as well as up-close. It used to be the royal hunting forest; therefore the space was very generous and permitted to introduce a number of activities such as boating on the lake, a racetrack, a baseball field, a small farm, several restaurants, a golf course and an adventure playground.
Bois de Boulogne
Bois de Boulogne
And if one enormous forest-park was not enough, there is always the Bois de Boulogne. Another former hunting ground turned into a public park. It has artificial grottoes and waterfalls, an amusement park for children, stables and two racecourses, sports clubs and restaurants.
Parc de Butte-Charmont
Parc Butte Chaumont
Also in the Belleville area, this park offers something different than the other green locations on the tourist maps. It strays from the formal garden design and offers something of a wild imagery, while still at the heart of European civilization: there are cliffs and waterfalls, paths and temples. It was opened to the public as part of the Universal Exhibit of 1867.
Parc du Champs de Mars
Parc du Champ de Mars (photo by JPC24M@Flickr)
This place needs no introduction since it is probably the first thing you were planning to see. Well, the good news is that you can even rest on the ground and admire it for as long as you want, all free of charge and in the open air. Many people gather in the evening to see the lights of the tower get turned on and flicker.
Jardins des Champs Élysées
Jardins des Champs Élysées
En route toward the Arc de Triomphe or have you just been there and you are heading toward Rue de Rivoli? Why don’t you rest a minute in the lovely Jardins des Champs Élysées. They are situated on both sides of the avenue, so you have your pick of the best place. There are kiosks with refreshments and crêpes near-by.
Jardins de Trocadero
View of the Eiffel Tower from the Jardins de Trocadero
Another great place from where you can admire the Eiffel Tower is the Jardins de Trocadero. They are spread over 23 acres from the Palais de Chaillot to the Seine. Apart from the parks and the children’s carousel, the water cannons are something to look at, along with the water fountains in the middle.
