11 Gorgeous Parks and Gardens in Paris That Prove Nature Can Be Chic

The must-see parks in Paris, mapped

Jardins du Trocadéro

Jardins du Trocadéro is a famous public park located in the heart of Paris in the 16th arrondissement. Spanning nearly 2.5 acres, the gardens are filled with manicured lawns, flower beds, sculptural elements, and wide vistas of the Eiffel Tower situated just across the Seine River. The area also includes a playground, open space to picnic under trees, and a few cafés for refreshments. Jardins du Trocadéro is a popular spot for locals to relax on sunny days and visitors to get a photo op with the Eiffel Tower from the terrace located at its center.

Where: Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France

Jardin du Luxembourg

Part of the once-royal Luxembourg Palace, which now serves as a gathering place for the French Senate, Jardin du Luxembourg stretches more than 50 acres in the sixth arrondissement. In addition to grassy lawns, beautiful flower beds, sculptures and monuments, and a large pond called the Grand Bassin where you can watch model sailboats float by, the garden is filled with tree-lined paths that are perfect for long strolls around the grounds. A lovely outing for all ages, it also plays host to a puppet theater and the oldest carousel in Paris.

Where: 9 Rue Guynemer, 75006 Paris, France

Jardin des Tuileries

Jardin des Tuileries is an historic public garden located in the first arrondissement of Paris that was initially created by Catherine de Medici in 1564. Covering roughly 55 acres, the garden features expansive lawns, a large pond filled with swans and ducks, geometric flower beds, and a number of sculptures and monuments, as well as plenty of trees for shade. Jardin des Tuileries is also located a stone’s throw from several other essential Paris attractions, notably the Louvre and the Place de Concorde, which sit on either end of the garden.

Where: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France

Parc de la Villette

One of the largest green spaces in Paris, Parc de la Villette covers roughly 135 acres, split between park, garden, and arts and culture venues. There are 26 striking architectural structures on the premises that cater to different recreational activities, from music halls to science centers and play areas. In addition to providing open space for visitors to enjoy long walks or peaceful moments in the grass, Parc de la Villette also hosts a variety of events year-round, including concerts, festivals, and exhibitions.

Where: 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris, France

Jardin des Plantes

Found in the fifth arrondissement, Jardin des Plantes pulls double duty as a museum grounds and a botanical garden — one of the most significant in the world. The National Museum of Natural History is located there, among others, as well as nearly 30 greenhouses, six of which are decorative while the rest are functional. In total, there are some 23,5000 plant species tended to at the Jardin des Plantes, plus an herbarium with more than six million dried specimens, a botanical library, and a zoo housing everything from snow leopards to orangutans.

Where: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France

Bois de Vincennes

Roughly three times bigger than New York City’s Central Park, Bois de Vincennes is the largest public park in Paris, spanning nearly 2,500 acres on the city’s eastern edge. With four lakes, numerous gardens, and plenty of forest land, it’s a popular destination for recreational activities such as walking, cycling, horseback riding, and even fishing. Bois de Vincennes also houses attractions such as a zoo and an open-air theater, as well as monuments dating back to the 1800s. One must-see feature of the vast bois, or “woods,” is a park within a park called Parc Floral de Paris, situated near the ​​Château de Vincennes.

Bois de Boulogne

The second largest public park in Paris after Bois de Vincennes, Bois de Boulogne covers an impressive 2,155 acres of western Paris. Once a royal hunting ground, the park has been a recreational space for Parisians and visitors to the city since the 1850s. Walking, cycling, horseback riding, and boating on Lac Inférieur are among the most popular activities here, and the park is home to two famous racetracks: the Longchamp Racecourse and Auteuil Hippodrome. Bois de Boulogne also features play areas for kids, an open-air theater, pleasant landscaping, and much more to keep visitors of all ages entertained.

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

The Parc des Buttes Chaumont is a 60-plus-acre public park in northeast Paris that opened in 1867. At the center of the park is an artificial lake where you’ll find a small island called the Île du Belvédère. This is where the park’s standout feature, the Temple de la Sibylle, a monument designed in the image of the ancient Temple of Vesta in Rome, perches roughly 160 feet above the water. Follow the staircase that leads downward from the top of the island and you’ll discover a grotto with a small but scenic waterfall. Elsewhere, as you walk the paths ringing the lake, admire a wide array of trees and plants, as well as various fountains and sculptures.

Where: 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris, France

Parc Monceau

Spanning a little more than 20 acres, Parc Monceau is a charming public park in the eighth arrondissement of Paris. It was initially constructed between 1778 and 1780 and later remodeled in 1861. The park contains a mix of French formal gardens and English landscape gardens, featuring a variety of trees, flowers, and sculptures from all over the world. Its main attractions are an octagonal pond, a small amphitheater, flower beds, Greek and Roman monuments, and a long Corinthian colonnade. Parc Monceau is popular with locals who come to relax in its calm atmosphere or simply enjoy its unique beauty.

Where: 35 Boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris, France

Parc André-Citroën

A newer park, Parc André-Citroën opened in 1992 on a 35-acre plot of land that once belonged to the city’s Citroën factory. In addition to typical park features such as a large lawn, gardens, and various nature-inspired sculptures, visitors can hop on a hot-air balloon in Parc André-Citroën that rises almost 500 feet and showcases stunning aerial views of Paris. Architecture-lovers will enjoy the avant-garde glass structures located on site while nature-lovers will appreciate the views of the Seine, as well as the rare and exciting flora that ornaments the park. The park also offers various games and recreational areas for kids.

Where: 2 Rue Cauchy, 75015 Paris, France

Parc de Belleville

Parc de Belleville is located in the 20th arrondissement, not far from the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery. The park provides spectacular views of the city below, as well as easy access to the many artisan shops and restaurants in the area. Parc de Belleville is a popular outing for locals and visitors alike, hosting events throughout the year ranging from outdoor film screenings and concerts. Visitors can also enjoy the seasonal flower displays, which are especially beautiful during springtime when they are planted with daffodils and tulips.

Where: 47 Rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris, France

Where to stay near the best Paris parks and gardens

Parks and gardens are part of the fabric of Paris, from the city center to the outskirts, so wherever you choose to stay, you’ll probably be near to a green space. Any Airbnb near the Eiffel Tower, for example, will land you right on the doorstep of the Trocadéro Gardens, or perhaps you’d prefer to stay in a boutique hotel in Paris in an arrondissement that accesses open space. Either way, here are a few accommodations near the most iconic and locally adored Paris parks and gardens.

We hope you love these accommodations near the best Paris parks and gardens! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Hôtel de l’Espérance

Hôtel de l’Espérance is centrally located in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, within close proximity of cultural attractions like the Louvre Museum, Palais Garnier, and Notre-Dame. From the hotel’s tranquil location, you can reach the Jardin des Plantes in just five minutes on foot, while the Jardin du Luxembourg is less than a 20-minute walk.

Price per night: From $212

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Beautiful Studio with Parc Monceau Views

You might think a nearly four-digit price tag for a studio apartment is crazy, even for a city as coveted as Paris, but relative to what nearby rentals are charging, this loft-style Airbnb overlooking Parc Monceau is a steal. The neighborhood feels local while still being close to the Seine and other landmarks, and you’ll get a taste of what it’d be like to live as a Parisian from your quiet perch on the top floor of the building.

Price per night: $957

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Le Dokhan’s Paris Arc de Triomphe, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Located in the stylish 16th arrondissement, Le Dokhan’s Paris Arc de Triomphe bridges the gap between central attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Jardins du Trocadéro, and the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées, with the Bois de Boulogne closer to the outskirts of the city. You’ll love the classic five-star feel and refined decor as much as the location.

Price per night: From $576

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Lovely One-Bedroom by Parc de la Villette

A few minutes from Parc de la Villette and Parc des Buttes Chaumont, this one-bedroom Airbnb is situated in a quiet neighborhood that’s full of cute cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and markets that’ll make you glad you rented a local apartment rather than picking a hotel in the heart of the city center. Perfect for two guests, but equipped for three, the apartment overlooks a charming courtyard that you can admire from the balcony.

Price per night: $531

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