Paris is the second most visited city in the world, just after Bangkok and before London. It’s home to cultural sites steeped in history, magnificent Haussmann buildings… but it’s also filled with an incredible lushness of greenery! Here are the 11 best parks in Paris to enjoy any activity or season.
Paris might be one of the most visited cities in the world, from Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower, it is still a city where you can breath and take a break from the crowds. There are many awesome non touristy things to do in Paris, and relaxing in parks is one of them!
Whether you’re looking for an outdoor picnic, a yoga session in the woods or a boat trip on a lake, here are the best parks of Paris as seen by a local.
What are the best parks in Paris France?
1. Bois de Vincennes
Located in eastern Paris, the Bois de Vincennes is the capital’s second largest park, and the best place to oxygenate your lungs and brain. In fact, it’s three times bigger than New York’s Central Park.
It extends over 995 hectares of mainly wooded vegetation. It’s one of the parks where you’ll always find a good spot for a picnic or an aperitif with friends, no matter how busy it gets. Many people come here to run, play sports, relax or walk their dogs. It’s also one of the best dog parks in Paris.
The park is also home to the famous Château de Vincennes and 4 lakes. Our favorite lake is Lac Daumesnil, which is so pretty and peaceful, and where you can rent a boat on sunny days.
There are small waterfalls at Lac des Minimes and Lac Daumesnil. They will make you want to visit the many other waterfalls in France.
- What for: chill, picnic, footing, work out, dog walk, boat trip
- Where: 12th district of Paris, Vincennes.
- Price: Free. Boat rent : 13€ per hour in cash.
- Opening hours: 24h/24.
💦 Good to know: tap water in Paris is perfectly clean and drinkable.
You can find free fountains in any of those parks!
2. Buttes Chaumont
This one really tops my list of the best parks to visit in Paris. And for good reason! The man-made park, inaugurated in 1867, is set on a hill, making for an absolutely magical and romantic setting.
You can enjoy a tanning session in summer or a snowball fight in winter. The mystical experience is heightened by the Temple of Sybil atop Belvedere Island in the middle of the park.
Many locals go on winter day trips from Paris, but I highly recommend going to Les Buttes Chaumont when it’s snowing. You’ll feel like you’re in the mountains in the middle of Paris! However, it’s not the easiest park to run in, as all the paths are on slopes.
- What for: chill, have a picnic, explore
- Where: 19th district of Paris
- Price: Free
- Opening hours: 7 AM to 9 PM (or 12 AM in summer)
3. Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes is more than a garden, it’s a testimony to history. Indeed, the left bank of the Seine in Paris is home to a botanical marvel that dates back 4 centuries.
It was in fact the royal garden of medicinal plants in the 17th century. You can do just about anything here: stroll, walk, discover the thousands of plant species or visit the Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle.
History is omnipresent, as are the animals you can meet at the Jardin des Plantes zoo. Last but not least, this garden is home to two exceptional greenhouses, that we highly recommend visiting.
- What for: walk, run, explore the greenhouses, visit the museum or the zoo
- Where: 5th district of Paris
- Price: free access to the park. Greenhouse entrance : 5€. Zoo : 10€
- Opening hours: from March to September: 7:30 AM to 8 PM, in October: 8 AM to 6:30 PM, from October to February: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
🤤 Local tip: after exploring the Jardin des Plantes, head to the Grande Mosquée next door! This place is an architectural and gustatory jewel…
4. Coulée Verte Rene Dumont
The Coulée-Verte is an incredibly charming 5-kilometer tree-lined promenade overlooking Paris.
It’s actually an old railway line linking the Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes. It has been transformed into a wonderful promenade among the plants and above the Parisian streets. The contrast of this serene spot with the city below is quite unique, and a walk here is a pleasure!
- What for: walk, footing, chill
- Where: 12th district of Paris
- Price: free
- Opening hours: 8 AM to 5:30 PM in the winter or 9:30 PM in the summer. It changes often depending on the day and on the season, so double check before heading there.
5. Jardin Albert Kahn
Want to travel to Japan without leaving the city? You can contemplate the wonders of gardening and architectural installation at Jardin Albert Khan in Boulogne-Billancourt, in the western suburbs just outside Paris.
You’ll find magnificent red bridges, incredible plantings and walkways. It was created by the idealistic banker Albert Kahn over a century ago.
It is extremely well preserved. This is certainly due to the entrance fees and the strict instructions given to tourists.
- What for: explore
- Where: Boulogne-Billancourt (accessible by public transport via the 10th metro line)
- Price: 3€ per person
- Opening hours: 11 AM to 7 PM from April to September, or 6 PM from October to March
6. Parc Monceau
This picturesque location is a real gem in the heart of Paris. The peaceful, romantic atmosphere makes it ideal for families and romantic rendezvous.
You can relax on the grass in some areas, or lose yourself in the pretty alleys, romantic bridges and soothing lakes. There’s even an impressive imitation Egyptian pyramid, called Naumachie.
- What for: walk, picnic, footing, chill, work out, date
- Where: 8th district of Paris
- Price: Free
- Opening hours: 7 AM to 10 PM in the summer, 9 PM in September, 8 PM in the winter
7. Bois de Boulogne
I think this park needs no further introduction. The Bois de Boulogne is a giant wood on the western edge of the capital! In a way, it’s the capital’s left lung, with the Bois de Vincennes its right lung.
You can easily walk for hours there without going round in circles. There are loads of footpaths, artificial lakes and even waterfalls. Among others, it’s home to the Hippodrome Paris Longchamp and four greenhouses, including the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, which contains an incredible variety of plant species.
- What for: stroll, picnic, picnic, dog walk, open air theaters and all kinds of events
- Where: 16th district of Paris and Boulogne-Billancourt
- Price: free
- Opening hours: 24h/24
🚨 As with all parks, we advise against visiting at night. Night visitors are very different from day visitors, and come for different reasons.
8. Parc André Citroën
As its name suggests, the Parc André Citroën is located on the former site of a Citroën factory. It celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022.
In addition to the traditional facilities offered by the best parks in Paris, this one is divided into visual theme zones. There’s the black garden, the white garden and the central zone.
The highlight of the Parc André Citroën is, of course, the hot-air balloon ride! It’s the world’s largest hot-air balloon, and offers the second-highest view of Paris after the Eiffel Tower.
It is not just a tourist attraction, the Ballon de Paris Generali is an air quality awareness tool equipped with pollution sensors.
- What for: stroll, picnic, games, art, balloon ride
- Where: 15th district of Paris
- Price: Free. Balloon ride: 14€ per adult and 7€ for children.
- Opening hours: 8 AM on weekdays or 9 AM on weekends, to 5:45 PM in winter or 8:30 PM in summer
🇫🇷 Travelers often wonder… Do they speak English in France? Well, the short answer is: most frenchies speak enough English to help you out, but it depends of the region, topic and a lot of other factors.
9. Jardin des Tuileries
After a visit to the Louvre or an afternoon of shopping in the Rue de Rivoli, you can take a lovely stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries. It became the “national garden” of the new French republic in 1794.
It’s the ideal place to enjoy the fresh air and greenery of Paris. It’s definitely one of the 10 best parks in Paris, especially if you like the royal atmosphere. This garden also often hosts an open-air skating rink at Christmas! It’s the perfect opportunity to go ice skating in Paris.
- What for: stroll, footing, chill
- Where: 1st district of Paris
- Price: free
- Opening hours: 7 AM to 7:30 PM in winter to 11 PM in summer
10. Parc Clichy Batignolles
When I lived in Clichy Batignolles, this recent park topped my list of the best parks in Paris to picnic or workout. This green space is also called Parc Martin Luther-King.
Its modernity makes it highly original, with modern structures, deckchairs and sports play areas for children and adults. Its rich ecosystem, with many seaside plants, attracts birds I had never seen in Paris before!
- What for: stroll, footing, workout, picnic, kids’ play areas
- Where: 17th district of Paris
- Price: free
- Opening hours: 7 AM on weekdays or 8 AM on weekends, to 5:45 PM in winter or 9:30 PM in summer
11. Jardin du Luxembourg
I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve heard of it. In fact, it’s by far the best-known Parisian park! The Jardin du Luxembourg is located on the left bank of the Seine, between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter.
Marie de Médine, the mother of Louis XIII, commissioned its creation in 1612. The park boasts impressive statues, the remarkable Médicis fountain and flower gardens, as well as art exhibitions at the Musée du Luxembourg and the Orangerie.
- What for: walk, picnic, footing, cultivate your soul and spirit
- Where: 6th district of Paris
- Price: free
- Opening hours: 7.30 AM to 9.15 PM in the summer or 8.15 AM to 4.30 PM in the winter
Best parks in Paris: final thoughts
And that’s all there is to it! I hope this guide to the 11 best parks in Paris has inspired you to get out and reconnect with nature. Living in a big city like Paris is no excuse, nature is everywhere!
