Paris's green spaces: an inescapable natural heritage

Paris's green spaces offer a natural escape in the heart of one of the world's most beautiful cities. With its many parks and public gardens, Paris combines the splendor of its architectural heritage with the tranquility of its green spaces. These places, harmoniously distributed throughout the city, invite you to relax, rest and contemplate. From large historic parks to more intimate gardens, explore peaceful spots that add charm to the capital.

 

Paris's historic parks: heritage and nature in symbiosis

Luxembourg Gardens: French elegance

The Jardin du Luxembourg, often nicknamed “the Luco” by Parisians, is one of the most famous parks in Paris. Located on the Left Bank in the 6th arrondissement, this French-style garden extends over 25 hectares. It is designed in a regular style, with tree-lined avenues and carefully tended flowerbeds.

The garden is home to numerous sculptures, fountains and, of course, the majestic Palais du Luxembourg, seat of the French Senate. The park is a popular destination not only for shady strolls, but also for lawns on which to sit, tennis courts and a pond where children sail small boats.

Perhaps the most enchanting aspect of the Jardin du Luxembourg is its atmosphere of calm, despite its location in the heart of the city. For art lovers, its open-air exhibitions and statues make it an open-air museum.

 

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: a bucolic Eden

Another jewel among Paris's green spaces, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, located in the 19th arrondissement, covers almost 25 hectares. This park is one of the largest and most spectacular in Paris, with its craggy landscapes, lake, cliffs and suspension bridge.

Created in 1867 at the instigation of Napoleon III, the park is a striking example of how green spaces can be integrated into the urban fabric to create a haven of peace. Visitors can discover the famous Temple de la Sibylle, perched atop a 50-metre cliff, offering a breathtaking view of the city.

Its winding paths, cascading waterfalls and vast lawns make it an ideal place to recharge your batteries, take part in sporting activities or simply escape the hustle and bustle of Parisian life. The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a place where nature and history intertwine harmoniously.

 

Intimate gardens: hidden havens of peace in the heart of the city

The Jardin des Plantes: a botanical treasure trove

The Jardin des Plantes, located in the 5th arrondissement, is much more than just a public garden: it's a veritable center for scientific research, and a place where strolling becomes an educational journey. Created in 1626 under the reign of Louis XIII, the garden now boasts an impressive collection of plants from all over the world, notably in its tropical greenhouses and thematic gardens.

The 24-hectare park is also home to the Menagerie, one of Europe's oldest zoos, and the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, which houses numerous exhibitions on biodiversity and the natural sciences.

The Jardin des Plantes is an oasis of tranquillity, where you can stroll among rare plants, admire ever-changing flowerbeds, or simply enjoy the soothing shade of century-old trees. It's a place that's both restful and enriching, a green space that inspires as much as it instructs.

Parc Monceau: romantic charm

Located in the 8th arrondissement, Parc Monceau is one of Paris's most elegant parks. Created in the 18th century by the Duc de Chartres, this English-style garden is a haven of calm amid the hustle and bustle of the city. Its lawns, majestic trees and sculptures lend the park a romantic atmosphere, enhanced by its architectural follies: a Venetian bridge, an Egyptian pyramid and the ruins of an ancient temple.

Parc Monceau is a popular spot for picnics, family walks or sports sessions. Thanks to its freer layout and less strict style than French gardens, it invites visitors to a contemplative and poetic stroll.

 

The new parks: a symbiosis of modernity and ecology

Parc de la Villette: a place of innovation and culture

Located in the 19th arrondissement, Parc de la Villette is one of Paris's most modern green spaces. Designed by architect Bernard Tschumi, it extends over 55 hectares, making it the largest intramural park in the capital. La Villette is much more than just a park: it's a hybrid space where nature, architecture, culture and innovation come together.

The park is dotted with contemporary structures, including the famous Géode, and is home to major cultural institutions such as the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie and the Philharmonie de Paris. With its vast lawns, themed gardens and interactive installations, the Parc de la Villette is a place where you can relax, learn and have fun.

In summer, the park becomes the scene of major cultural events such as the open-air film festival and outdoor concerts, attracting families and culture lovers alike.

Martin Luther King Park: a model of urban ecology

Parc Martin Luther King, located in the 17th arrondissement, is the perfect example of the new generation of green spaces in Paris. This 10-hectare park, still under development, is part of the vast Clichy-Batignolles urban redevelopment project. Designed to meet the ecological challenges of our time, it incorporates biodiversity areas, shared gardens and rainwater harvesting facilities.

The park is appreciated for its modern, uncluttered design, where nature reclaims its rights with flower meadows, urban vegetable gardens and play areas designed for all generations. The Parc Martin Luther King is a green space of the future, where the harmonious cohabitation of man and nature is at the heart of every design.

 

Green spaces celebrating biodiversity

The planted promenade: an original green corridor

The Promenade Plantée, also known as the Coulée Verte René-Dumont, is a unique linear park stretching 4.7 kilometers through Paris's 12th arrondissement. Inaugurated in 1993, this elevated walkway is set on a disused former railroad line, offering walkers a verdant stroll through the city, away from traffic.

The “coulée verte” crosses several neighborhoods, offering surprising views over Paris and a natural setting rich in a variety of plants and trees. Its plant-lined walkways make it a privileged place for strolling, where you can enjoy the calm and beauty of green spaces while remaining in the heart of the city.

The Bois de Vincennes: the green lung of eastern Paris

The Bois de Vincennes, to the east of Paris, is the capital's largest green space, covering 995 hectares. This veritable green lung is an essential leisure area for Parisians. It offers a wide range of activities, from hiking and biking to boating on the lake and visiting the Paris zoo.

The Bois de Vincennes is also a place dedicated to preserving biodiversity, with its botanical gardens, meadows and woods. This vast natural area is ideal for nature lovers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, while remaining close to the capital.

Whether historic, intimate, modern or dedicated to biodiversity, Paris's green spaces are a priceless natural heritage. These public parks and gardens are much more than places to relax: they reflect the city's history and evolution, while also reflecting contemporary ecological and social issues. By strolling through these green spaces, Parisians and visitors discover another side of the capital, one where nature elegantly blends into the urban landscape. Whether you're looking for a place to recharge your batteries or explore botanical diversity, Paris offers a rich palette of green spaces to suit all tastes.

To take full advantage of Paris' natural treasures, what could be better than staying in an exceptional setting? The 5-star Hôtel Vernet, just a stone's throw from the Arc de Triomphe, is the ideal place to drop your bags and discover the capital. Combining contemporary elegance with timeless charm, the Hôtel Vernet offers refined service, a gourmet restaurant and attentive staff. After a day spent exploring the parks and gardens of Paris, you can enjoy the absolute comfort of this hotel, where every detail has been designed with your well-being in mind.