Situated in the 19th arrondissement and occupying 24.7 hectares, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is one of Paris’s most famous and well-loved parks. Opened in 1867, during the reign of Napoleon III, the park has 5.5 kilometres of roads and 2.2 kilometres of paths. A visit here wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Temple de la Sibylle. The monument, inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, is perched at the top of a cliff fifty metres above the waters of the artificial lake, offering spectacular views across the park and the rest of the city. Often skipped by people visiting Paris for the weekend because it’s slightly further out than the well-trodden tourist path, but the extra effort will really reward you. The park is full of meandering paths, waterfalls, temples and vertical cliffs that will make you feel a million miles away from the chaos of the capital city.
Source: Paris Info
Located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, Jardin des Tuileries is often considered the centre of the city. It was created in 1564 and eventually opened to the public in 1667 after the French Revolution. It has since become an icon if the city and a place where Parisians celebrate, gather and relax. It’s the oldest and largest public garden in Paris and the perfect place to spend a day. The paths and perfectly manicured lawns have unparalleled views of the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe and it’s considered so special, it was named a UNESCO world heritage site in the 1990s.
Source: Paris Info
Do you like to get your exercise when you’re on a mini break and still get in your morning run? Then head to Jardin Du Luxembourg where the locals go to jog. It was opened in 1612 and has since become home to six tennis courts and a playground as well as many significant sculptures. If you’re after a day of activity, plan a tennis match followed by a pony ride and a paddle around the lake on one of the boats for rent. On the wooded side of the park you’ll find locals engaged in particularly intense games of chess.
Source: Paris Info
The Jardin Des Plantes is a real hidden gem that not many tourists visit, but they should, especially families travelling with children. The botanical garden was opened by Louis XIII's doctor and used as the royal medicinal garden in 1626 before opening to the public in 1640. Today the garden is home to more than 10,000 species of plants and flowers and even houses a small zoo. Visit one of the four brilliant museums that are located here including the educational Natural History Museum, or lose yourself in the vast maze for an afternoon. If you’re a plant enthusiast you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here you’ll find tropical greenhouses, as well as rose, winter and Alpine gardens. Located right in the centre of the latin Quarter, it’s within easy walking distance to many of the city’s other main sights.
Source: Paris Info
Unlike the other historic parks on our list, Parc de Belleville is relatively new, only opening in 1988. But that doesn’t make it any less impressive. One of the best things about Paris is its iconic skyline and there’s no better place to view it than from this park in the 20th arrondissement. Located on the hill of Belleville, it sits at 108 metres making it the highest park in Paris which gives it sweeping panoramas of the capital city. The charming common was developed to bring some much needed green breathing space to the otherwise relatively industrial area and since then has been a favourite for locals to the area and people from all over Paris. In the park you can find the longest waterfall in Paris, table tennis tables which are free to use, huge lawns perfect for picnics and an open-air theatre. There is also a museum dedicated to air pollution.You can even see as far as the Eiffel Tower in the west.
Source: Paris Info
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