Taking a stroll around the lovely, breathtaking city of Paris is a highly recommended activity to do. It takes any kind of traveler into a romantic experience as one will realize that as much as love is all around Paris, so is serenity—its beautiful parks and gardens are perfect places for long walks, sight-seeing, and meditation. Impressionist painters who have produced art showing scenes around the myriad green places of Paris where people go for a picnic or a stroll are also proof that indeed, these are awe-inspiring spots tourists should check out. In these parks and gardens, the featured nature will make you forget all the stress and worries as flora, fauna, art, and other salient details are incorporated to offer a one-of-a-kind serene feel.
Paris is truly a green city. Its recreational parks and gardens are also open for all ages. Children can play around and not get bored, lovers can sit on benches and enjoy each other's company, and an individual who just wants to think about life can opt for long walks while taking in fresh air. Because Paris offers various parks and gardens, this site has listed its top ten picks. So plan your outfit, prepare your picnic baskets, and invite anyone you want to be with (or go alone if preferred), and bask under the sunlight or under the moon, stars, and all the lights on these parks and gardens.
Jardin du LuxembourgThe Jardin du Luxembourg, also known in English as the Luxembourg Gardens, is quite a spectacular park in Paris. The garden spans over 23 hectares. The Jardin du Luxembourg is quite known its verdant scene. Visitors will encounter tree-lined promenades and well-maintained lawns. A visit to the Jardin du Luxembourg is a visit to nature
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Back in 1611, Queen Reagent Marie de’ Medici planned to build a palace that imitated the look and feel of the Pitti Pace from Florence, Italy. The park was, in an essence, some sort of personal project for Marie de’ Medici. Everything from the palace, fountains and over 2000 elm trees were taken into account. The Jardin du Luxembourg was an effort to recreate the Queen’s favorite childhood palace. The Jardin du Luxembourg is just as prolific in various fictions as it is in history. The Luxembourg Garden is prominently featured in Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables. American author Henry James’s book, The Ambassadors, also features the garden. The final scene of William Faulkner’s novel Sanctuary ends in the Jardin du Luxembourg. A simple walk to the gardens is an enchanting experience. The park can be described by its intricate ‘French style’ of gardening. The garden also takes careful attention to the conservation of certain plants. Various greenhouses are available for the public to enter. A favorite pastime at the gardens is the remote boat-riding at the pond, perfect for a family getaway. Tips
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75006 Paris, France Opening Hours: Daily 8am - 4:30pm Nearest Train Station: Luxembourg Telephone: 33142342000 Website: www.senat.fr Tuileries GardenLocated between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde is the Tuileries Garden. This noteworthy location is a public garden where local and foreign guests visit by the thousands. This formal royal garden was opened to the public hundred. A trip to Paris is incomplete without a visit to the Tuileries Garden.
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Italian noblewoman and later Queen of France Catherine de’ Medici ordered the creation of the Tuileries Garden in 1564. The garden was made public a century later in 1667 and became a public park after the French Revolution. The significance of the Tuileries garden is quite immense, as the park is a hotspot for artistic Parisians hoping for creative inspiration. The garden area of the Tuileries Garden is actually quite small. However, the area is heavily decorated with ornate fountains and sculptures many of which carry symbolic history. Prominent French artisans such as Jean Dubuffet, Giacometti and Rodin have their masterpieces increase the artistic value of the Tuileries Garden. The garden is not the centerpiece of it all. There are also two important museums in the park. The Musee de l’Orangerie is located in an old greenhouse building which was designed by French architect Firmin Bourgeois. The other museum is called the Gallery of Jeu de Paume. This unique art-house contains various artworks of the modern period. Central Paris is a place no first time visitor should miss out on. The Tuileries Garden is one of the places that visitors should also not miss out on. tips
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113 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France Price: Free Opening Hours: 7am - 9pm Nearest Train Station: Tuileries Website: www.parisinfo.com Parc des Buttes-ChaumontThe Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a beautiful park situated at the northeast of Paris. The park is over 61 acres in size and it the fifth-largest park in Paris. As one of the original green spaces of Paris since its conception, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Park is another park to add to your travel list.
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The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont was built by French engineer Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand. The Park was created in 1867, late in the reign of Emperor Napoleon III of France. The park was built upon the infamous gallows of Montfaucon. The location was found to be rich in deposits of beautiful white plaster. The location was effectively turned into a mine. It was only during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III that the once disreputable land was turned into the beautiful park that it is today. The park’s history still reflects on its current standing. The impressive steepness, level changes, and heights are because of the park's history as a quarry junction. Visitors often appreciate the stunning views of the city of Paris that the slopes provide. There are various points of interest that are located in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. There are various caves and waterfalls, both natural and man-made, around the park. A suspension bridge designed by Eiffel tower designer, Gustave Eiffel, allows access to an island situated in the park’s lake. The park is an excellent stopover whenever you are in the northeast end of Paris. The beautiful greens hills and slopes are one of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont’s best charm points. tips
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1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris, France Opening Hours: 7am - 9pm Everyday Nearest Train Station: Porte de Pantin Telephone: +33 1 48 03 83 10 Website: www.equipement.paris.fr Parc MonceauSituated at the northwestern part of Paris is the Parc Monceau. This charming park is one of the smallest parks in Paris. However, this gem of a park attracts thousands of tourists due to its charming natural beauty and intricate classical Greco-Roman structures. This is one small park you definitely shouldn’t miss out on.
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The park was created in the 18th Century by the Duke of Orleans. It was the year 1769 when the Duke acquired the land he needed for a dream project. In the following years, the Duke built the gardens and the iconic pavilion where he wanted to host his grandiose celebrations. The park also carries significant importance to the study of aeronautics. How so? In 1797, French inventor Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first successful parachute descent in history at the Parc Monceau. The Parc Monceau is quite different in its approach to the traditional parks that the Parisians are used to. The Duke of Orleans had little interest in the symmetrical style of the French parks. French architect Louis Carrogis Carmontelle designed the park to include various foreign cultural styles. Chinese bridges, Egyptian obelisks and pyramids, Dutch windmills and Roman basins can be found all around the park. The park, though one of the smallest parks in Paris, is one of its most celebrated ones. Visitors will find its rich history, beautiful gardens and intricate structures a worthy visit. tips
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35 Boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris, France Opening Hours: Daily 7am - 9pm Nearest Train Station: Monceau Telephone: +33 1 42 27 39 56 Website: www.equipement.paris.fr Parc André CitroënThis unique park is one of the recently made parks of France. The Parc Andre Citroen is a public park located at the left bank of the Seine River. As one of the newest parks in the capital, the Andre Citroen Park is no pushover when it comes to style and authenticity. Modernity is one of the park’s greatest strengths, something that visitors come to visit for.
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Citroen is a major French automaker founded by business magnate and engineer Andre-Gustave Citroen. The automobile company is known for its innovation in car design and manufacturing. The impact of the Citroen Company was felt all throughout Europe and the Andre Citroen Park is a dedication to the innovation of Citroen. The park was built on the site of a former 1915 Citroen automobile manufacturing plant and it was named after the company founder Andre Citroen. It was the largest park, in more than a century, to open in Paris back in 1992. The company spared no expense in the creation of the park. World-renowned architects and landscape artists worked on the Parc Andre Citroen. Gilles Clement and Alain Provost worked on the park’s beautiful landscape while Patrick Berger, Jean-Francois Jodry, and Jean-Paul Viguier worked on the various architectural wonders. The modern era reflected on the park’s design. The park boasts two greenhouse pavilions hosting various exotic floras. A dancing fountain is located in a paved area at the eastern part of the park. Several serial gardens, each with a distinct style and architectural design, are situated at the north side of the park. The park is truly a beautiful product of French modernity. There are various facilities that visitors can use for relaxation and entertainment. Furthermore, the park also provides children with the means of recreation through sports. The Andre Citroen Park is one modern park you should not miss out on. tips
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2 Rue Cauchy, 75015 Paris, France Opening Hours: Daily 8am - 7pm Nearest Train Station: Javel - André Citroën Telephone: +33 1 53 98 73 84 Website: www.equipement.paris.fr/parc-andre-citroen Parc de BellevilleSituated between the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and the Pere Lachaise Cemetery is the lovely Parc de Belleville. The park is known for its sloped location. Its central feature, the hill of Belleville, is measured to 108 meters. The Parc de Belleville is a must visit location for being the park with the highest summit in Paris.
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During the middle ages, the location of the park was once used for religious communities. The magnificent location was also an ideal place for the owners to grow crops such as crops due to its fertile land and natural springs. A mine was built on the hill in the 19th century. The establishment of the mines created a small community. Soon, an annual Mardi gras was held at the hill. The community started to relocate at the start of the 21st century, giving way to the creation of the Parc de Belleville. The hills famous vineyards still exist today and are among one of the most sought-after products of viticultural history. The park’s fertile land makes it a suitable home to a thousand different variants of trees and shrubs. The longest waterfall in Paris is also located here, measuring 100 meters. The wooden playground offers a unique playing experience for children. Furthermore, the Maison de l’Air is a small museum designed to educate visitors to the importance of fresh air and the problems of air pollution. The Parc de Belleville is one of the most beautiful parks of Paris. Wait awaits you there are beautiful floral scenery and a magnificent panoramic view atop the Park’s summit. tips
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47 Rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris, France Opening Hours: Daily 8am - 7:30pm Nearest Train Station: Couronnes Telephone: +33 1 43 15 20 20 Website: www.equipement.paris.fr/parc-de-belleville-1777 Jardins du TrocadéroIf you have visited the iconic Eiffel tower, then you must have certainly visited the Jardins du Trocadero as well. This open park space is bound to the Palais de Chaillot to the northwest, Seine River to the southeast and the Eiffel tower on the opposite bank of the Seine. Since this park is located in the heart of Paris, it is near impossible that you miss out this park in your travels.
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Fun fact, the completed head of the then incomplete Statue of Liberty was once showcased in the Jardins du Trocadero. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States as a reminder of their alliance during the American Revolution. The park’s location was formerly the garden of the original Palais du Trocadero for the 1878 Exposition Universelle, a celebration after the French-Prussian war of 1870-71. 13 million people from all over the world attended the event. Various cultural artifacts and amazing inventions were showcased at the exposition. Correspondingly, the park was created in 1937 for the Universal Exposition of Art and Technology, yet again another large international exhibition designed to showcase achievements of various nations. The center attraction of the Jardins du Trocadero is the famous Warsaw fountains, which are the common foreground of photos and videos of the Eiffel tower. Furthermore, there are also various sculptures that are carefully placed around the garden. The Jardins du Trocadero is the garden you will not miss out on. Because the Eiffel tower is almost synonymous with the garden, a visit there is going to two amazing locations in one trip. tips
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Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France Opening Hours: Open 24Hrs Nearest Train Station: Passy Website: www.en.parisinfo.com Jardin des plantesEvery park in Paris has its own quirk that separates one from the rest. The Jardin des Plantes is as quirky as it gets. The garden’s name literally translates to ‘Garden of the Plants’. The park is the main botanical garden in France and that is enough reason to visit this magnificent place.
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A short trivia, the Jardin des Plantes was originally Jardin du Roi, a medicinal herb garden created by famous French Botanist and Royal Physician Guy de La Brosse. The Jardin du Roi was created in 1635. Five years later, in 1640, the medicinal herb garden opened its doors to the public. After decades of steady neglect, the garden was overhauled by prominent botanist Dr. Guy-Crescent Fagon in 1693. The renovation included many renowned French botanists such as Joseph Pitton de Tournefort and Antione Laurent de Jussieu. Over 6,963 specimens, donated by Joseph Tournefort, were planted at the garden. In the next century, the garden expanded to include other attractions as well. The garden's famous maze and labyrinth still remain to this day. The inclusion of the additional facilities made the Jardin des Plantes not only a center of botanical study but also a famous tourist location as well. Visit the Jardin des Plantes soon and enjoy the sensory-rich experience that the floral park has to offer. tips
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57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France Opening Hours: 7:30am - 6:30pm Nearest Train Station: Jussieu Telephone: +33 1 40 79 56 01 Website: www.jardindesplantes.net Jardin du Palais - RoyalNo visit is complete without a grand visit to the Palais-Royal. Originally named Palais-Cardinal, the place was a former royal palace that housed royal families up until the palace of Versailles was built. A trip to this historically significant house is not just a trip to the memory lane; the palace’s garden is also a must-visit one.
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The Palace was created once created as the personal palace of French Cardinal Richelieu. The design of the palace was conceptualized by famous Baroque architect Jacques Lemercier in 1629. The construction of the palace was completed in 1639. After the death of Cardinal Richelieu, the palace became the property of King. The palace housed the royal family of France as well as royal political refugees from other countries as well. The palace and its garden are famous for its peaceful location. The brilliant architecture of the palace was quite ahead of its time in its design. The palace also possesses various sculptures by contemporary artists Buren and Bury. Furthermore, the French Ministry of Culture is also located near the Jardin du Palais. Truly the Jardin du Palais is a peaceful garden. If you want a refuge from the bustle of the Parisian crowd, then the palace and the garden is always open for you. tips
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Jardin du Palais Royal, 6 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France Opening Hours: FROM OCTOBER 1st TO MARCH 31st Open every day 8:00am - 8:30pm FROM APRIL 1st TO SEPTEMBER 30th Open every day 8am - 10.30pm Nearest Train Station: Etienne Marcel Website: www.domaine-palais-royal.fr Champ de MarsThe Champ de Mars is one of Paris' large public green space located between the Eiffel Tower to the northwest and the Ecole Militaire to the southeast. The park was appropriately named after Mars, the Roman god of war and guardian of agriculture.
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Originally, the location of the park was an area for market gardening. Locals would use the fertile space to grow vegetables and other crops. The establishment of the Ecole Militaire or the French Military Academy turned the area into a military drill camp, training as much as 10,000 men at the same time. Additionally, the area became an important place for military celebrations of France. The Champ de Mars also carries historical significance. The famous French emperor and conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte trained at this park back when he was a student of the Ecole Militaire. The first gas balloon flight was also successfully achieved in the park as well. The Champ de Mars also hosted several world exhibitions as well. Parisians and tourists find the park as one of the most inviting places to gather around. You can see people having picnics, playing music and creating plein air paintings as well. Visitors may also be interested in visiting the iconic Mur pour la Paix or the Wall for Peace, an art piece created as a tribute to international peace. tips
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Champ de Mars, 2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris, France Opening Hours: Everyday 24hrs Nearest Train Station: Ecole Militaire Telephone: 6987-8292-2880 Website: www.equipement.parisbyg.fr/parc-du-champ-de-mars-1807 |
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