Paris is home to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and quaint cafes, but there is another greener side of the city that is very quiet and hidden behind the cobblestone streets and bustling avenues. Ranging from beautiful classical gardens to modern parks, Paris has a plethora of places that one can rest, rejuvenate, and enjoy the city as a real Parisian.
We will visit Paris’s Most Beautiful Parks & Gardens, where picnics, pictures, or even slowing down can be done.
Let's start with a classic. Jardin du Luxembourg is a very popular garden in Paris, and it is situated in the 6th arrondissement. This garden was constructed in the 17th century as a garden designed to accommodate Marie de' Medici, and it combined French as well as Italian landscapes.
You will see gorgeous walks with trees, flowerbeds, and the Medici Fountain, a splendid place to have pictures or sit and meditate. It is also a bustling social place: see children sail around on toy boats in the pond or watch a puppet show, or join the locals in tennis or chess.
Jardin du Luxembourg is the best place to combine a walk through statues of French queens with nature and Parisian life, and picnicking on a lawn.
Right between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden is a central oasis with a royal past. Originally designed for Catherine de’ Medici, André Le Nôtre, the mastermind behind the gardens of Versailles, later reshaped it.
Today, it’s a place of beauty and calm amid the city hustle. Sculptures by artists like Maillol and Rodin dot the landscape, and two large ponds anchor the garden’s elegant layout. It’s the perfect place for a romantic walk in Paris or a rest after exploring the Louvre. In summer, you’ll find funfairs and outdoor cafes adding to the atmosphere.
To do something utterly different, go to the 19th arrondissement, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. It is more dramatic as a natural landscape than a garden. There are cliffs, a cascade of water, a mysterious grotto, and there is even an imposing temple after the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli.
This is popular with locals who are looking to have a casual, bohemian atmosphere. You will find them running, doing yoga or picnicking with their friends. Get to the top of the temple and have one of the most panoramic views of Paris. It is the park that should be visited in case one wants greenery with adventure.
The Jardin des Plantes, which had started as a medicinal herb garden in 1635, today provides the primary botanical gardens of France. It is the ideal destination for plant lovers, families, or people who want to learn about natural history.
Explore rose gardens, alpine gardens and beautiful glasshouses with exotic vegetation. A small zoo, a natural history museum and a gallery of evolution are also located in the garden. It is both a good education and a beautiful place to spend half a day exploring in Paris.
Parc de la Villette is a brand new place to visit in case you are interested in something contemporary. This unique park in Paris was developed by an architect called Bernard Tschumi. It houses the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (the largest science museum in Europe), concert halls, and outdoor stands.
The park is also scattered with avenues of expensive red constructions called folies, which act as points of information, cafes, and playgrounds. It has themed gardens that are ideal for kids, and during summer, outdoor movie screenings and concerts are available. It is imaginative, lively and vibrant.
Parisian green spaces are not necessarily majestic. The prettiest are little and secluded:
✔ Square du Vert-Galant: This small park in Paris is on the western end of Ile-de-France, which provides an intimate distance from the Seine- a perfect place to have a quiet moment.
✔ Parc Monceau: A beautiful English-style garden in the 8th arrondissement, equipped with a traditional rotunda, ponds and beautiful bridges.
✔ Coulee Verte Rene-Dumont: This is a high-above-the-streets park created on an old railway line--a nice place to go out and take a stroll.
When to Visit: Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the times of year with the best weather and the least number of visitors.
What to Pack: You should bring a picnic blanket, snacks, water and a good book.
Beware: A lot of lawns are not to be sat upon--watch out that there are signs with Pelouse Interdite or Pelouse au Repos on them.
Go Early/Late: Parks are not the best place during the early morning or right at sunset.
Chauffeur Service: Hire a Paris chauffeur service and take your partner or family comfortably to your favourite park in Paris.
The parks and gardens in Paris are not merely beautiful spots, but where the breathing of Paris is carried out. They provide a combination of nature, art, history, and culture like no other place. Therefore, the first or the tenth time you are there, make sure to find time to recline in one of these stunning green retreats in Paris.
After all, the true magic of Paris isn’t just in its monuments—it’s in the moments of peace you find along the way.
Paris is home to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and quaint cafes, but there is another...
view detailParis!!! The name itself evokes the idea of romance; you should believe that it is...
view detailParis is more than the city of love: it is the heart of fashion on an international...
view detail