The most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris

Activities
Nature

Marie

Published on 09/08/2025

Paris, nicknamed the City of Light, reveals a greener, more soothing side through its many parks and gardens. From historic royal spaces to contemporary creations, the French capital offers a mosaic of green settings where art, history and nature come together. Whether you’re looking for a haven of peace from the hustle and bustle of the city or a place for a romantic stroll, the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover on your visit to Paris will win you over with their diversity and unique charm.

1. The Luxembourg Gardens

It’s impossible to list the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris without starting with the legendary Luxembourg Gardens (rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, rated 4.5/5 on Google for over 75,000 reviews). Created in 1612 by Marie de Médicis, this 23-hectare park is one of the symbols of historic Paris. Its French-style gardens, statues of queens and great men, and famous octagonal basin with its small boats create a unique atmosphere.

The Palais du Luxembourg, now the seat of the French Senate, towers majestically over this exceptional green space. Lovers of relaxation will love the traditional Parisian green chairs set around the pond, while families will enjoy the play areas and puppet theatre. For a more in-depth exploration of this emblematic district, take the Navaway itinerary, which will take you through some of the capital’s most beautiful sites.

See also the Paris guide :

2. Buttes-Chaumont park

A true masterpiece of landscape engineering from the Second Empire, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (1 rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris, rated 4.4/5 on Google for over 30,000 reviews) is one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris. Built on a former gypsum quarry between 1864 and 1867, this 25-hectare park offers a unique landscape in the capital, with its hills, artificial lake and famous grotto decorated with stalactites.

The Temple de la Sibylle, perched on a rocky islet accessible via a suspended footbridge, offers one of the finest views of Paris. Nature lovers will appreciate the diversity of its vegetation: cedars of Lebanon, hundred-year-old plane trees and artificial waterfalls create the perfect romantic backdrop. This jewel among the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris is an essential stop-off for those wishing to visit Paris from a different angle.

3. The Tuileries Gardens

Located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Gardens (Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, rated 4.4/5 on Google for over 55,000 reviews) embody the art of the French garden. Created by Catherine de Médicis in 1564 and then redesigned by André Le Nôtre in the 17th century, this 22.4-hectare space reveals its perfect geometric perspectives and statue-lined paths.

Round and octagonal pools punctuate the promenade, while the terraces offer breathtaking views of the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. The Musée de l’Orangerie and the Jeu de Paume add a cultural dimension to this green lung of Paris. To discover this historic garden and its surroundings, take the audio tour of Paris and discover all its secrets.

Download the audio tour to discover Paris on foot and on your own

Explore Paris’s most beautiful parks and gardens in complete freedom with the Navaway audio tour. This 6.2 km itinerary guides you through 18 emblematic places of interest in a 2? hour walk. From the Arc de Triomphe to the gardens of the Champs-Élysées and the Tuileries, discover the history and anecdotes of each place thanks to captivating audio commentaries. Download the Paris tour and discover the capital’s most emblematic green spaces.

4. Parc Monceau

Parc Monceau (35 boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris, rated 4.3/5 on Google for more than 18,000 reviews) has a seductive bourgeois atmosphere and romantic buildings. Created in 1778 by the Duc d’Orléans, this 8.2 hectare English garden blends architectural styles with unique elegance. Its Corinthian colonnade, pyramid and Venetian bridge create an exceptional theatrical setting.

Bordered by sumptuous Haussmann mansions, the Parc Monceau attracts a refined clientele who come to enjoy its manicured lawns and shady walkways. Families particularly appreciate the play area and the charm of this unspoilt green lung. One of the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris, Monceau offers a haven of serenity in one of the capital’s most prestigious districts.

5. The Jardin des Plantes

Founded in 1626, the Jardin des Plantes (57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, rated 4.3/5 on Google for over 25,000 reviews) is the oldest botanical garden in France. Covering an area of 23.5 hectares, this remarkable site is home to over 4,500 plant species in various themed gardens: rose garden, alpine garden, botanical school and tropical greenhouses.

The Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution and the historic menagerie add to the charm of this exceptional site. Alleys lined with bicentenary plane trees and views of the domes of the Panthéon and the Institut du Monde Arabe add to the charm of this scientific garden. For a complete exploration of the Latin Quarter, including this botanical gem, follow the advice in theParis Discovery Itinerary.

6. Parc Montsouris

Inaugurated in 1878, Parc Montsouris (rue de l’Amiral Mouchez, 75014 Paris, rated 4.2/5 on Google with over 12,000 reviews) is inspired by the English landscape style with its 15.4 hectares of undulating countryside. Designed by the engineer Alphand, a contemporary of Haussmann, this park offers a striking contrast with the dense urbanism of southern Paris thanks to its artificial lake, waterfalls and undulating lawns.

The diversity of its flora, with over 1,400 trees, some of which are over a hundred years old, makes it a valuable refuge for urban wildlife. Its meteorological observatory, set up in 1872, bears witness to the site’s scientific history. Montsouris is one of the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris, with its tranquillity and unspoilt authenticity.

7. The garden of the Palais-Royal

Created in 1633, the Palais-Royal garden (place du Palais-Royal, 75001 Paris, rated 4.4/5 on Google for over 8,000 reviews) is one of the finest examples of a French garden in Paris. Surrounded by the historic shopping arcades with their uniform arcades, this 2-hectare rectangular green setting offers a haven of absolute calm in the heart of the capital.

The Buren columns, installed in the Cour d’Honneur in 1986, add a contemporary touch to this place steeped in history. The pruned lime trees, boxwood parterres and white gravel paths create a perfect geometry. This confidential garden, frequented by a clientele of initiates, deserves its place among the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris.

8. Square du Vert-Galant

Nestling at the western tip of the Ile de la Cité, the Square du Vert-Galant (1 square du Vert-Galant, 75001 Paris, rated 4.5/5 on Google for over 1,400 reviews) offers a unique perspective over the Seine and its banks. This small 0.4 hectare triangular garden, created in 1884, takes its name from the nickname of Henri IV, whose equestrian statue dominates the neighbouring Pont-Neuf.

Accessed by a staircase from the Pont-Neuf, this haven of peace offers breathtaking views over the banks of the Seine, the Louvre and the Institut de France. The weeping willows and shady lawns make it a favourite resting place for walkers and lovers alike. This little gem is one of the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris for its confidential and romantic character.

9. The Planted Promenade

A remarkable urban innovation, the Promenade plantée (avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris, rated 4.3/5 on Google with over 6,000 reviews) transforms a former railway line into a 4.7-kilometre hanging garden. Inaugurated in 1993, this green corridor links the Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes, offering an unparalleled view of Paris from a height of 10 metres.

Bamboos, climbing roses, lavender and fruit trees make up a varied plant decor that changes with the seasons. This unique walk was the inspiration for New York’s High Line and is now one of the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris. Its route reveals original views over Parisian rooftops and the courtyards of Haussmann buildings.

10. Square des Batignolles

Laid out in 1862 in the former village of Batignolles, the Square des Batignolles (2 avenue de Clichy, 75017 Paris, rated 4.2/5 on Google for over 2,000 reviews) retains a village garden atmosphere. This 1.6 hectare park has an artificial lake with ducks and swans, a waterfall and a rustic bridge that evoke the countryside in the heart of the city.

Bordered by the charming red-brick buildings that are typical of the area, this square offers the ideal setting for family relaxation. Its undulating lawns, flower beds and century-old trees create a refreshing microclimate. One of the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris, this little haven of peace reveals the authentic charm of the old villages attached to the capital.

11. The Catherine Labouré garden

Hidden behind high walls on rue de Babylone, the Catherine-Labouré garden (29 rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris, rated 4.1/5 on Google for over 800 reviews) is one of the most charming secret gardens in Paris. This 7,000 m² former convent garden retains its cross-shaped layout and is home to a real vineyard in the heart of the city, a vestige of its religious past.

The fruit trees, wildflower beds and quiet pathways provide a unique bucolic atmosphere in this upmarket district. Managed by the Daughters of Charity, this garden is free and open to the public, and boasts an exceptional plant heritage with its hundred-year-old pear trees and fragrant rose garden. This hidden treasure deserves its place among the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris.

12. Bagatelle Park

Located in the 16th arrondissement in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, the Parc de Bagatelle (route de Sèvres à Neuilly, 75016 Paris, rated 4.5/5 on Google for over 4,000 reviews) enchants visitors with its world-famous international rose garden. Created in 1775 by the Comte d’Artois, the future Charles X, this 24-hectare estate is home to more than 1,200 varieties of rose that bloom from May to October.

The Château de Bagatelle, the Chinese pavilions, the artificial grotto and the English-style gardens create an exceptional romantic setting. The international rose competitions held here every year attract rose lovers from all over the world. This park, which has to be paid for, is one of the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris, with its exceptional botanical collections and refined landscaping.

13. André-Citroën Park

Inaugurated in 1992 on the site of the former Citroën factory, the Parc André-Citroën (quai André-Citroën, 75015 Paris, rated 4.1/5 on Google for over 15,000 reviews) embodies contemporary landscape art. Its 14 hectares combine themed gardens, tropical greenhouses and aquatic areas in a resolutely modern design.

The white and black gardens, the colourful serial gardens and the large central pool offer a unique sensory experience. The captive balloon, which rises to a height of 150 metres, offers an exceptional panoramic view of Paris. This bold landscaping creation adds a modern edge to the list of the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris.

14. The Jardin d’Acclimatation

Created in 1860 by Napoleon III, the Jardin d’Acclimatation (Bois de Boulogne, 75016 Paris, rated 4.2/5 on Google for over 12,000 reviews) harmoniously combines botanical gardens and a family theme park. Its 20 hectares are home to a remarkable collection of exotic trees, historic greenhouses and numerous animal species in a carefully landscaped setting.

The themed gardens, Norman farm, aviaries and 42 attractions make this unique site a must-see for Parisian families. Its historic little train, Belle Époque rides and unspoilt green spaces create a charming nostalgic atmosphere. This park, which has to be paid for, deserves its place among the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris for its family and educational character.

15. Belleville Park

Perched on the heights of Ménilmontant, Belleville Park (rue Julien-Lacroix, 75020 Paris, rated 4.3/5 on Google for over 6,000 reviews) offers one of the finest panoramic views of Paris from its 108-metre altitude. Created in 1988 on the site of the former village of Belleville, this 4.5-hectare terraced park offers a 360° view of the capital and its emblematic monuments.

Its 100-metre-long waterfall, Mediterranean gardens and vineyards are a reminder of the area’s wine-growing past. The sloping lawns, ideal for picnics, and the playground make it a popular place for local families to relax. This green belvedere rounds off our selection of the most beautiful parks and gardens in Paris.

In conclusion, the most beautiful parks and gardens to discover in Paris reveal the rich heritage and landscape of the French capital. From the Luxembourg Gardens to the heights of Belleville, each green space tells a unique story and offers visitors a different experience. To explore these plant wonders in the best possible conditions, don’t hesitate to follow the Paris audioguide itinerary, which will reveal all the secrets of these Parisian green spaces. These green lungs are an invitation to discover, relax and marvel at the heart of the City of Light.

Frequently asked questions

Which parks are free in Paris?

Most of the most beautiful parks and gardens in Paris are completely free: Jardin du Luxembourg, Buttes-Chaumont, Jardin des Tuileries, Parc Monceau, Jardin des Plantes (outdoor areas), Parc Montsouris, Jardin du Palais-Royal and all the squares in Paris. Only a few parks charge admission, such as Bagatelle, the Jardin d’Acclimatation and certain parts of the Jardin des Plantes (greenhouses, menagerie).

What’s the biggest park in Paris?

The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, with its 25 hectares, is the largest of the many beautiful parks and gardens to be discovered in Paris. Including the outlying woods, the Bois de Vincennes (995 hectares) and the Bois de Boulogne (846 hectares) are the largest green spaces in Paris.

Which parks to visit as a family with children?

For a successful family outing, choose the Jardin du Luxembourg (puppet theatre, ponies, play areas), the Jardin d’Acclimatation (attractions and animals), the Jardin des Plantes (menagerie and museum), the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (play areas and spectacular scenery) and the Square des Batignolles (lake with ducks and village atmosphere).

When should you visit the most beautiful gardens in Paris?

The most beautiful parks and gardens in Paris can be visited all year round, with each season offering its own specific charms. Spring (April-May) brings out the flowers, summer allows you to take full advantage of the lawns and ponds, autumn offers magnificent colours and winter reveals the architectural structure of the gardens. For rose gardens like Bagatelle, May to October is best.

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