To discover in this article:
Whether they be royal, secret, places to stroll, or picnic, Paris’s many parks and gardens offer lots of variety and can be found in all parts of the capital!
Previously a royal park, the mythical and historical Tuileries Gardens, are a must-see. These French-style gardens, with the Louvre Museum at one end and the Orangery Museum at the other, include a maze, statues and ornamental ponds. They are a beautiful place to stroll or to relax right in the heart of Paris. A few streets away, the Palais Royal Gardens, recognizable by the signature Buren and Bury contemporary sculptures at the entrance, are a haven of peace. Created in the 17th century, the perfect symmetry of the place can be appreciated by visitors as they stroll around the gardens in the daytime.
On the other side of the Seine, adjoining the Sénat (France’s upper house of parliament), are the Luxembourg Gardens, a delightful park covering 25 hectares. Dating back to 1612, it is made up of a garden in the French style, a garden in the English style, an orchard and a hot house. Other features include a huge ornamental pond, popular with children for sailing model boats and paths lined with grassy areas and flower beds.
Although smaller, the equally charming Parc Monceau is one of the most elegant parks in Paris. Statues, columns and an arcade add to the park’s romantic atmosphere. The Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris, is easily distinguishable by its red brick buildings and arcades dating back to the Renaissance. The garden in the middle is a pleasant place to stroll with grassy areas to sit on in fine weather.
The Jardin des Plantes, another garden created in the 17th century, was the first to open to the Parisian public. It retains the symmetrical paths typical of royal parks but also a collection of rare plants and a rich diversity of other plants across 12 themed gardens. Planted with remarkable trees and embellished with statue, this is an idyllic setting for a stroll. For more botanical adventures, the Serres (hothouses) of the Jardin des Plantes take visitors to the four corners of the world, from tropical forests to arid zones and New Caledonia.
Fancy relaxing by the water? Stroll along the banks of the Seine, explore the peaceful islands of the Seine, or try rowing and canoeing on the Marne.
Between walks and outdoor sports, waterfront activities offer a real breath of fresh air in Paris.
Tucked away in between historical buildings and hôtels particuliers in the Marais are many charming little courtyards and gardens. These hidden green spaces are perfect for a quiet break in a natural setting after a shopping spree or a visit to the Centre Pompidou. The Jardin des Rosiers Joseph Migneret, the Square Charles Victor Langlois or even the Potager des Oiseaux near to the Marché des Enfants Rouges (market) are oases of peace and seclusion.
A lovely garden to enjoy in the 7th arrondissement is the Jardin Catherine-Labouré, a vegetable garden converted into a public garden where families enjoy relaxing amongst fruit trees and vines. More artistic, the Jardin du Musée Rodin full of works by the sculpture is well worth a visit!
The little streets of Montmartre offer many areas of greenery to discover. Starting with Square Suzanne Buisson or the wonderful gardens of the Musée de Montmartre, which once belonged to the artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The pretty garden of the Musée de la Vie Romantique is the perfect spot for a bucolic break after a walk in the 9th arrondissement.
The small and charming Maison de Balzac, once home to the famous French writer, nestles on the hillside in Passy. With its recently redesigned little garden, it offers a unique view of the Eiffel Tower and a green interlude in the middle of the 16th arrondissement.
The stunningly original Coulée Verte was developed along the site of the former railway line tracks that used to link Bastille train station to Varennes-Saint-Maur. This planted trail starts behind the Bastille opera house, runs above Avenue Daumesnil, joins the Parc de Bercy and ends at the Bois de Vincennes.
In the summer months, escape to the heart of the state-owned forests and regional nature parks, which are easily accessible by public transport. The Fontainebleau Forest, accessible from Paris Gare de Lyon (Transilien R line to Bois-le-Roi or Fontainebleau-Avon), offers 22,000 hectares of unspoilt countryside. The French Vexin Regional Nature Park, meanwhile, can be reached via Mantes-la-Jolie or Cergy-Pontoise stations, followed by local buses.
Explore the green spaces of eastern Paris, southern Paris, western Paris and northern Paris. For more ideas, take a look at our Paris by district feature and our suggestions for walks!
Fancy relaxing by the water? Stroll along the banks of the Seine, explore the peaceful islands of the Seine, or try your hand at rowing and canoeing on the Marne. From walks to outdoor sports, activities by the water offer a real breath of fresh air right in the heart of Paris.
Iconic features of the Parisian landscape, the banks of the Seine are the perfect setting for a picnic with friends or family, or a stroll along the water’s edge. A route dotted with restaurants and terraces, sports facilities and playgrounds for children, starting in the vicinity of Austerlitz Station. Notre-Dame de Paris, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, the Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower… the view is magnificent. The walk continues further west, exploring Île aux Cygnes and its famous replica of the Statue of Liberty, Île Saint-Germain or Île Seguin and its concert hall, La Seine Musicale.
In the heart of the capital, the Canal Saint-Martin, recognisable by its locks, offers a lovely 4.5 km stroll starting at the Port de l’Arsenal and ending at Stalingrad. This leafy public space is undergoing a makeover with a major redevelopment project due for completion in 2026, prioritising pedestrians, cyclists and greening to make this promenade even more peaceful. From here begins another vibrant canal, the Canal de l’Ourcq, which hosts Paris Plages in the summer and runs alongside the Parc de la Villette before continuing outside Paris. These water routes offer a soothing glimpse of nature in Paris, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Whether you want to play sport, have a game of molky with friends, enjoy a picnic with the family or simply make the most of the good weather and lie back on the grass, Paris’s parks, scattered throughout the city, are true spaces for living. Good news: most of Paris’s parks and gardens are free!
The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, a 25-hectare green space in eastern Paris, is a very popular spot in summer. With its lake, waterfall, grotto and suspension bridge, it is undeniably romantic and offers a magical view of the Sacré-Cœur from its highest point. Hilly in nature, it is built on a former stone quarry, which gives it a certain charm. The lawns where picnicking is permitted invite you to relax. A little further on, Belleville Park and its viewpoint also offer a beautiful view of the Parisian landscape.
Further south, Montsouris Park, also created during the Second Empire, is a lovely undulating space that charms visitors with its centenary trees, its statues, but above all its lake, where swans and ducks can be seen throughout the year. Its vast lawns and play areas make it a popular spot for families and sports enthusiasts.
Along the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Parc de la Villette, a vast 35-hectare expanse of grass in the north of Paris, is very popular all year round. Here, art and nature blend perfectly, as the park is home to numerous concert venues, museums and festivals. For the little ones, there are several sheep to spot in different parts of the park, and play areas are available.
Last but not least, the Martin Luther King Park ... has run alongside the Batignolles district since 2007. As a tribute to the former Batignolles station right next door, the park’s paths have retained the traces of the old railway tracks. Covering 10 hectares, it is a real breath of fresh air in the north of Paris.
| Park name | Area | Arrondissement | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parc des Buttes-Chaumont | 25 hectares | 19th | View of the Sacré-Cœur, lake, waterfall, grotto, suspension bridge |
| Parc de Belleville | 4.5 hectares | 20th | Lookout point with panoramic view of Paris |
| Parc Montsouris | 15 hectares | 14th | Lake, century-old trees, lawns, playgrounds |
| Parc de la Villette | 35 hectares | 19th | Concert halls, museums, festivals, playgrounds |
| Parc Martin Luther King | 10 hectares | 17th | Historic railway tracks, Batignolles district |
Paris has two woods, on either side of the capital, offering vast spaces to recharge your batteries.
At the eastern end, the Bois de Vincennes is a veritable green lung. Its 955-hectare area is home to the Parc Floral de Paris,
the Paris Zoo, farms, an arboretum, a forest, the Château de Vincennes, as well as several small interconnected lakes, ideal for exploring on foot, by bike, on a pony or by kayak. Numerous cultural events are held there in the open air throughout the year.
To the west, the Bois de Boulogne, the former hunting grounds of the kings of France, is a beautiful 850-hectare park. Diverse in character, it encompasses the Jardin d’Acclimatation, a magical place for Parisian children thanks to its many games and attractions, the Parc de Bagatelle, the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil and the Pré Catalan. A place to relax, people come here to have a picnic, visit an exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, go rowing or enjoy the 28 kilometres of bridleways. A true paradise!
The Rambouillet Forest, covering 200 km², features ponds, sandy expanses and waterfalls set against a rolling landscape. Perfect for a walk or a bike ride along its well-marked trails, you can also visit the Espace Rambouillet Forest and Wildlife Park and spot fallow deer, red deer, wild boar and roe deer, as well as numerous birds of prey. The château, its dairy and the famous shell-covered cottage, places dear to Queen Marie-Antoinette, serve as a reminder that the Rambouillet Forest once belonged to the kings of France.
Further south, the Fontainebleau Forest, a favourite with Parisians thanks to its 22,000 hectares of preserved woodland, is the largest natural area in Île-de-France. With its beautiful trees, rocks and picturesque landscapes, it became a favourite spot for Impressionist painters in the 19th century.
There are plenty of lovely walks to enjoy, whether on foot, horseback, electric scooters or even by dog sled. For a cultural break, the Château de Fontainebleau is a classic choice. Sports enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy, whether tackling the boulders for some rock climbing in the great outdoors or taking on the 25 Bumps, a circuit where hikers make their way through the rocks and which is reputed to be one of the most challenging trails in the Île-de-France region.
