Paris is well endowed with parks and gardens because
of France's kings and queens, and also thanks to some more recent city planning. In addition to the large formal gardens, there are many smaller public parks throughout the city. Those who love gardens and beautiful plantings can spend many a day wandering through a variety of gorgeous areas, well maintained throughout the year.
Jardin
des Tuileries
The formal Jardin
des Tuileries, between the Louvre
and the Place de la Concorde, is one of Paris's
most visited gardens. A restful green space
in the midst of the city's greatest historical
monuments and museums, the Tuileries delights
both adults and children. More...
Jardin
du Luxembourg
On the Left
Bank is the city's largest pubic
park, the beautiful Luxembourg
Gardens. In addition to gorgeous
plantings, a splendid palace, and graceful
statues around a fountain, Luxembourg caters
to children, with a playground and a puppet
theater. More...
Square
du Vert-Galant
Small but famous, this shady little park
at the western tip of the Île de la Cité
is perfect for a mid-day rest or picnic. More...
Jardin
des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes is
east of the Latin
Quarter. In addition to the
famous botanical garden, the Jardin offers
a menagerie, a maze, and various specialized
plantings and greenhouses, as well as a Natural
History Museum. More...
Promenade
Plantée
The Promenade Plantée makes
great use of an old elevated railroad viaduct
to create a raised garden that runs from
the Bastille to
the Bois
de Vincennes. It's a charming
walk and the height allows for great perspectives
on some beautiful buildings. More...
Cimetière
du Père-Lachaise
The most famous cemetery in Paris, Père-Lachaise is
also a beautiful park, with interesting plantings
spread over its 99 hilly acres. More...
Cimetière
de Montmartre
Père-Lachaise may be the most famous cemetery in Paris, but others are well worth a visit. The Montmartre cemetery is home to a number of famous Parisians, as well as beautiful plantings. More...
Cimetière
de Montparnasse
Striking when seen from the tour Montparnasse, the Cimetière de Montparnasse is a peaceful place to wander—and find more celebrities. More...
Parc
du Champ de Mars and Jardin
du Trocadéro
These gardens are mostly visited in
conjunction with the Eiffel
Tower. The Champs de Mars extends
from the École Militaire to
the Eiffel Tower, while the Trocadéro
gardens are across the Seine near
the Palais
de Chaillot. More...
Parc de Bercy
The Parc de Bercy was established
in 1995 on the historic site of the wine
warehouse and bottling industry. Still housing
a vineyard, today it is a spendid green space
near the Seine. More...
Bois
de Boulogne
A former hunting preserve for the kings of
France, the Bois de Boulogne covers
2100 acres on the outskirts of Paris, complete
with walking and riding trails and the Jardin
d'Acclimatation amusement park
for kids. More...
Bois
de Vincennes
The Bois de Vincennes, also
a royal hunting preserve on the edge of the
city, includes a medieval château,
a zoo, gardens, and a network of walking
trails. More...
Parc
des Buttes-Chaumont
The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont,
in the northeastern part of Paris, offers
hills, cliffs, and lots of trails. More...
Parc Monceau
A beautiful, refined park of moderate size
to the north of the center, with a "Roman
ruin" on a picturesque pond. Combine your
visit with one to the Musée Nissim
de Camondo. More...
Monet's Gardens at Giverny
Giverny is an easy day trip from Paris, and you can see Monet's beautiful gardens and the water lilies that inspired the famous paintings in the Orangerie. More...
