Top Parks and Gardens in Paris

Paris is a city that appreciates green. From its beautifully ornamental, classical gardens to its lush public parks, there are plenty of urban oases where you can take a break from the city’s frenetic pace and play the role of the Frenchflâneur. Here are the Parisian parks and gardens you can’t miss.

Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg)

Arguably Paris’ best-known green space, the Jardin du Luxembourg, located between the bohemian Latin Quarter and elegant Saint-Germain-des-Prés, captures all the romanticism of Paris. Dating to the 17th century and flanked by Luxembourg Palace (which now houses a branch of the French government), it features pretty ponds, ornamental terraces, and plenty of picnicking locals.

Botanical Garden (Jardin des Plantes)

Founded in the 17th century as a medicinal garden for the king, the Jardin des Plantes is today the preeminent botanical garden in France. Poised in the fifth arrondissement abutting the Seine, the landmark hosts numerous ornamental gardens, as well as several museum buildings and even a petite zoo.

Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries)

Comprising elegantly plotted grassy banks—and located directly between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde—the Jardin des Tuileries is one of Paris’ legendary gardens. Poised in the very heart of Paris, in the first arrondissement, the garden is also a backdrop for Fashion Week, and models are frequently photographed on its stately avenues.

Champ de Mars

The broad swath of greenery located just beneath the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars numbers among Paris’ most-photographed parks. Though it was once used for military drills, today the area hosts visitors from around the world, as well as Parisian families.

Buttes-Chaumont Park (Parc des Buttes-Chaumont)

Off the typical tourist trail due to its far-flung, 19th-arrondissement location, the gorgeously designed Parc des Buttes-Chaumont feels worlds away from the urban crush. Featuring a lake with a rocky island and a replica Greek temple, it’s popular among locals as a tranquil retreat.

Bois de Vincennes

Though located on the far eastern edge of Paris, the Bois de Vincennes is worth traveling to. Referred to as one of “the green lungs of Paris,” the park is the largest in the city. Amidst its meadows and forests, it offers walking and biking trails, sporting and concert venues, a zoo, a historical château, and much more.