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Parks and Gardens in Paris

Bois de Boulogne: 16^th Arrondissement; Paris’ most famed park, known to locals as “Le Bois.” The 2220 acre park was previously a royal hunting forest and was the playground of upper crust society during the 19^th century. Today it is full of foliage filled paths that see bikers, joggers, rowers, walkers, picnickers and lovers on any given day. Metro: Porte Maillot, Porte Dauphin, or Porte d’Auteuil; Bus: 244; Phone 01-40-67-97-02

Bois de Vincennes: 12^th Arrondissement; One of the most family oriented places in Paris. Located on the Eastern side of the city, this park is invaded daily by many French families who come to see all of its sights and sounds including a zoo, museums, royal chateau, four lakes, carnival and the Parc Floral de Paris. Many annual events including the “Foire du Trone” carnival, secondhand fair and antique fair are held here in warmer months. Metro: Porte de Charenton, Porte Doree, or Liberte; Bus: 87   

Jardin Atlantique: 19^th Arrondissement; Built along the Gare Montparnesse railroad tracks. This new park, opened as recently as 1994, features a lush variety of trees and plants from countries along the Atlantic. Metro: Gaite

Jardin d’Acclimation: Home to Paris’ racetracks. This park’s northern most part is all for the love of children and includes a zoo, amusement park and small railway. At the southern end, Paris’ famed racetracks the Hippodrome de Longchamp and the Hippodrome d’Auteuil reside. Many women turn out to the races in their most expensive haute couture garments, which is a site to behold. Just north of the park, near the children’s side, is the Grand Cascade – a gorgeous artificial waterfall. Metro: Les Sablons or Jardin d’Acclimation; Buses: 43, 73, 82, PC, 174

Jardin des Champs Elysees: 8^th Arrondissement; Nestled between Rond point des Champs Elysees and Place de la Concorde. First built up in the 19^th century, the garden was a showcase of the talented architects and horticulturalists that resided in Paris at the time. A 1994 renovation breathed new life into the garden. Metro: Champs Elysees / Clemenceau

Jardin des Plantes: 5^th Arrondissement; Celebrated Botanical Gardens. The garden is an illustrious historic site that features an alpine garden, aquarium, maze, a small zoo, three natural history museums, the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution and small hothouses scattered among the gardens. Garden Hours: 7:30am until sunset. Admissions: Zoo 30FF, Mineral Museum 30FF, Paleontology Museum 20FF, Entomology Museum 15FF. Metro: Censier-Daubenton, Monge or Gare d’Austerlitz; Phone 01-40-79-30-00

Jardin des Halles: 1^st Arrondissement; A centuries old tradition. The gardens at Les Halles were formerly Paris’ thriving outdoor market from as far back as the 16^th century. The structure was moved to the suburbs and the gaping hole left behind was formed into a delightful garden full of a number of plants and sections including a tropical rainforest, waterfall and a forbidden city. Metro: Les Halles

Jardin des Tuileries: 5^th Arrondissement; Quite possibly the most loved Parisian garden. The gardens were once a part of the beautiful Palais des Tuileries which was burned down in 1871. It had quite a stormy history and the gardens are one of the few items that remain of the beloved Palais. The past aside, this is a much loved landmark to the locals. Metro: Tuileries; Phone: 01-42-96-19-33

Jardin du Bassin de l’Arsenal: 12^th Arrondissement; Connecting the Saint Martin Canal with the Siene. Built in 1806, the Arsenal basin connects the canal with the river. Its whimsical garden features a small alcove with Henri Arnold’s 1983 sculpture of a young woman. Metro: Bastille

Jardin du Luxembourg: 6^th Arrondissement; One of the most popular in all of Paris. Just south of the Latin Quarter lies this adored park. The gardens team with life and attractions including fountains, royal statues, a children’s playground, Puppet Theater, tennis courts and other room for games like boules. Metro: Odeon, Saint Placide; RER: Luxembourg; Buses: 42, 69, 72, 82, 87; Phone: 01-43-29-12-78

Palais Royal Gardens: 1^st Arrondissement; Quite a popular place for peace of mind during the noisy Revolution. This garden was the site of many historic events. Today people come to appreciate the many contemporary sculptures that fill the elegant grounds, including Pol Bury’s steel balls and Daniel Burren’s 1986 prison columns. Metro: Palais Royal

Parc Andre Citroen: 15^th Arrondissement; Formerly the namesake’s automobile plant. Along the Siene in the newer part of Paris, this park is considered a very innovative 14+ acres. Water is very important here with the many fountains, waterfalls, sculptures, pools and canal views. There are also botanical gardens that are broken up into 4 distinct segments. Metro: Balard

Parc de Bagatelle: 16^th Arrondissement; Gardening through the centuries. Bagatelle was first used a hunting lodge by Napoleon and still features the beautiful chateau that was speedily built in a mere 66 days for Comte d’Artois after a bet with sister-in-law, Marie Antoinette. One of its most notable features is the gorgeous rose gardens. Metro: Porte Maillot

Parc de Belleville: 20^th Arrondissement; Melting pot culture at its best. This park is situated on the Right Bank, which is often noted for its ample diversity. Belleville is 11 acres of bliss and beautiful views of the city. It is also very close by the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, where many royals and famous people are buried. Metro: Pere-Lachaise

Parc de Bercy: 12^th Arrondissement; Romantic gardens galore. This site is comprised of lawn after sprawling lawn and is often a romantic site for lovers to cuddle. There is also a vegetable garden, an orchard perfect for strolling and a scented flower garden. At the southern most point, a wide terrace stretches towards the Siene. Metro: Bercy

Parc de Buttes-Chaumont: 19^th Arrondissement; Once a dump, now a place of beauty. In the 1860’s Baron Haussmann took it upon himself to clean up a garbage dump/quarry and beautify it into an English style garden. The lovely park also had a man-made island, lake, Roman temple, waterfall, streams and many small footbridges. There are also endless activities such as boating, donkey rides and summer sunning. Hours: 8am – 6pm daily. Metro: Botzaris or Buttes Chaumont; Phone: 01-40-36-41-32 or 01-42-40-88-66

Parc de la Terlure: 18^th Arrondissement; A perfect hideaway. Many locals known of this small park and use it to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Montmartre district. Metro: Chateau Rouge

Parc de la Vilette: 19^th Arrondissement; Slaughterhouses amazingly turned park. The ungodly site of cattle markets and slaughterhouses once took up nearly this entire 130 acre site. In the 1970’s, the market was replaced with a beautifully landscaped, modern park complete with a playground, canopied walkways, a cinema, two museums, a number of pavilions and a concert hall, Cite de la Musique. Metro: Porte de la Vilette or Porte de Pantin

Parc des Expositions de Paris: 15^th Arrondissement; The site of Foire des Paris. As home to the favored fair, Foire des Paris, which runs April through May, the park fills with countless stalls that sell delicious food and delectable wines along with clothing and other household goods. If you want to truly do something like the Parisian’s do, this fair at this park is it. Metro: Porte de Versailles

Parc du Champs de Mars: 7^th Arrondissement; Beneath the Eiffel Tower. This beautiful park can proudly claim stake to the soaring Eiffel Tower. It once was used to parade French troops and the 18^th century Military Academy still stands at its southern end. Metro: Trocadero, Bir-Hakeim, or Ecole Militaire; RER: Champs de Mars

Parc Georges Brassens: 15^th Arrondissement; Homage to horses, cattle and enjoyable smells. Another park that was previously the site of the Vaugirard slaughterhouses, the park preserves the horse market hallway and bull statues that were originally part of the former. Today the sound of hoofs is replaced by the sound of feet as many visitors come to smell the fragrant shrubs and plants or the relish the views off of the vine covered terrace.  Metro: Convention

Parc Monceau: 8^th Arrondissement; An enchanting stroll. Commissioned in 1778 by Louis Phillipe Joseph, who was later taken to the guillotine after the Revolution, the park was where Marcel Proust used to use the park to gather inspiration, as many others do today. There are also many charming attractions like a Dutch windmill, Roman temple, farm, medieval ruins and a pagoda. It should also be noted the world’s first parachutist, Garnerin, made his landing here. Metro: Monceau; Phone: 01-42-27-39-56 or 01-42-28-08-64

Place des Vosges: 4^th Arrondissement; A historical square. Nestled in the Marais district, this beloved square is filled with trees, fountains, statues, lawns and paths. Many come to eat at the cafes around the square or to sunbath and enjoy the day in the many yards found here. Metro: Chemin Vert or Saint Paul

Square des Arenes de Lutece: 5^th Arrondissement; One of the oldest landmarks in Paris. The Lutetia Arena was built in the 1^st century AD, when the Gallo Romans had overtaken most of the known world. Today the remains hold many shows and plays during the summer months. When not in use, the arena fills with football players practicing their skills. Metro: Jussieu

Square du Vert-Galant: 1^st Arrondissement; Ship shape. Literally shaped like a ship, as the symbol for Paris is indeed a boat, this square is home to a variety of plants and trees. It also offers views of the famed Pont Neuf. Metro: Pont Neuf

Japanese Gardens: 7^th Arrondissement; A one of a kind UNESCO built site. Located at the United Nations educational, cultural and scientific headquarters this garden is a traditional Asian garden filled with placid water features, stone paths and bamboo plants. There is also a well known angel’s head sculpture that survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945. Metro: Segur/Ecole Militaire