Parks - Gardens

Created by the Cardinal Richelieu in 1633, the Palais Royal and its gardens, just a short walk from the Louvre, housed royal families up until the Palace of Versailles was built. Prestigious and peaceful, the gardens are surrounded by a superb futuristic architecture with contemporary sculptures by Buren and Bury.

The Colonnes de Buren were designed by artist Daniel Duren and are situated in the courtyard, near the garden and Ministry of Culture. The 260 black and white striped octagonal columns are definitely worth a visit and are one of the symbols of Paris.

Address: Place du Palais Royal 75001 Paris
Phone: +33 (0) 1 47 03 92 16
Access: Metro: Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre

Situated in the 8th arrondissement, today it is one of the most elegant gardens in Paris, and a reflection of the district. Visitors can enter through the great wrought iron gates embellished with gold.

Walking around the park, you’ll find many beautiful surprises: numerous statues, a Renaissance archway belonging to the former Paris City Hall, spectacular trees, a wide variety of birds and a large pond.

Parc Monceau is surrounded by luxury buildings and sumptuous mansions, including the Musée Cernuschi (Museum of Asian Arts). A peaceful and pleasant park visited by Parisians and tourists. The park also features playgrounds for children.

Address: Boulevard de Courcelles 75008 Paris
Access: Metro Monceau / Bus: 30 - 84 - 94

This English garden, designed by Alphand, has many decorative characteristics of Haussmannian parks: ramps in false wood, waterfalls and grottoes, intimate corners and elevated viewpoints.

The Parc Montsouris adjoins the green belt of the 'petite ceinture' former railway line. All year round the park is home to a rich birdlife attracted by the wild area of vegetation along the area of the disused line. The birdlife is also attracted by a large piece of water in the park. The grey heron has just recently begun to nest on the island there. You can also see 27 species of water birds.

Address: 2 rue Gazan 75014 Paris
Access: Metro Porte d'Orléans / Bus: 21, PC / RER: Cité Universitaire

The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is the steepest and the largest of the 470 gardens of Paris, with the exception of the Tuileries Gardens and the Parc de La Villette.
It is a landscaped park, an evolved form of the Anglo-Chinese garden, the irregular design opposes the regular kind of so-called "French" gardens. It offers a view of more sophisticated juxtaposition of paintings inspired by the landscapes of Fragonard, and especially Hubert Robert, painter Gardens Rome.
Address: 1 rue Botzaris 75019 Paris
Access: Metro Buttes Chaumont, ligne 7bis

The famous gardener of King Louis XIV, André Le Nôtre, re-landscaped the gardens in 1664 to give them their current French formal garden style. The gardens, which separate the Louvre from the Place de la Concorde, are a cultural walking place for Parisians and tourists where Maillol statues stand alongside those of Rodin or Giacometti.

The gardens’ two ponds are perfect for relaxation. The Musée de l’Orangerie, where visitors can admire the works of Monet, is located south-west of Tuileries. From March to December, free tours in French are organized. For lovers of candyfloss, rides and thrills, go to the Fête des Tuileries from June to August.
Address: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
Access: Metro Concorde, Tuileries / Buses: 21, 24, 27, 42, 68, 72, 73, 81, 84, 94, 95 / RER: Musée d'Orsay

The Luxembourg Gardens is the second largest public park in Paris located in the 6th arrondissement. The park is the garden of the French Senate, which is itself housed in the Luxembourg Palace.

Address: Rue Guynemer, 75006 Paris, France
Access: Metro(4): Odeon / RER B : Luxembourg