Special events, workshops and fun activities outdoors with the family, in Parisian parks and gardens.
Paris has many parks and gardens and these are fantastic places for families. The Tuileries Gardens has 18th-century statues to discover and there are many spots to relax in around the ornamental ponds.
The Luxembourg Gardens has tons of attractions for children: pony or carriage rides, swings and traditional wooden merry-go-rounds ... The outdoor puppet show also keeps little ones amused in the afternoon. Other enjoyable parks for family outings are the Jardin des Plantes, the Parc Monceau, the Parc Georges Brassens and the Parc André-Citroën.
Finally, the Jardin d’Acclimatation is a firm favourite with children, who love seeing their reflection in the distorting mirrors, discovering unusual animal species and enjoying the amazing rides and attractions.
Just outside Paris, the Parc de Sceaux with its extensive lawns is a pleasant place to walk. Fountains and copses embellish the avenues and ornamental ponds are a refreshing sight in summer. The jewel in the crown of the estate is the 17th-century-style garden, which transforms a stroll into a historical escapade. The Domaine de Villarceaux, an idyllic place to stroll, is a cultural gem comprising of a manor house, an orangery, a main courtyard, outstanding gardens and even a maze!
Finally, the Grande Promenade d’Auteuil is a Parisian walk par excellence linking Passy to Auteuil via three recreational areas – ideal for families. Football and rugby pitches, open to everyone, also enable walkers to stop and burn off some energy with the kids.
More info on Nature in Paris
All year round the Parc de la Villette organizes ‘Le Club des Jardiniers’, a children’s gardening club, and ‘Les insectes jardiniers’, a children’s nature club. They learn to identify seeds, flowers and plants, and especially the basics of gardening.
The Maison du Jardinage in the Parc de Bercy has a wonderful vegetable garden. The many varieties of vegetables here are grown using organic gardening techniques. The Maison also puts on temporary exhibitions to familiarize children with gardening and ecological issues. An enjoyable eco-friendly afternoon in a lovely green setting for all the family.
Some 10 different farmers and producers in the Parisian region are now opening their fields and orchards to the public for ‘pick your own’ fruit and vegetables with the family.
Baskets in hand, little gardeners and food lovers alike can come and have fun with their parents gathering their own seasonal fruit and vegetables. It’s a perfect day out with the family, where you can pick delicious products in a rural setting from spring through to autumn. Some sites are open all year round.
Open to the public since 2008, the Miellerie du Gâtinais is a beekeeping and honey making enterprise that offers families the chance to see an exceptional collection of bee hives. Every year, the bees produce delicately perfumed honey. Lucky kids are even allowed a taste of this nectar during their visit.
