Top parks and public gardens of Paris

Paris is a big city, packed full of people, famous sites, galleries, cars, museums, buildings—sometimes you need a break.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top parks and gardens in Paris, where you can relax away a leisurely afternoon in utter peace and tranquility.

Jardin des Tuileries

One cannot mention Paris parks without throwing this one in. In the arching arms of the Louvre museum, right in the centre of town, this park, with its long, tree-lined alleys and grand fountains, is a central attraction.

Constructed for the palace, this garden has a very French, well-groomed style and wondrous flowers in the summer. Perfect for escaping the museum for some sunshine.

Rodin’s Garden

Dotted with famous sculptures and tucked away beside Les Invalides, is the one-of-a-kind garden in the Rodin Museum.

Once owned by Rodin himself, this is one of the most soothing places in the city, the silence of the museum seeming to permeate the garden as well. With old wooden benches and splashing fountains, this is an ideal place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Jardin de Luxembourg

Similar to the Tuileries, this royal garden is dotted with statues and arrow-straight alleys of trees. With the Palais de Luxembourg dominating one end and vast colourful flowerbeds, this park seems straight out of a picture.

In the summer, toy sailboats take over some of the central pools and locals throng out to the green iron chairs to soak up the sun.

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

For a more dramatic park, try the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. Featuring rolling hills, an artificial lake and waterfalls, and dominated by the Belvedere topped with a Romanesque temple, this park is perfect for wandering.

Originally envisioned by Napoleon III, the park now encloses three restaurants and hosts numerous small concerts and art shows throughout the warmer months.

Parc de Belleville

A little off the tourist track, this park is still populated mostly by locals. Rolling down the other side of the hill from the Buttes Chaumont, the main attraction of this garden is not the bright flowerbeds or the terraced pathways through the trees, but the unsurpassable view from the lookout at the top.

From here, all of Paris is stretched before you and there’s no need to crane over tourists clicking cameras. A café right behind is a jazzy way to finish off a leisurely day.

Parc Monceau

With beautiful Roman columns and ornate gates, this park near the Arc de Triomph is a perfect way to relax after a shopping spree.

Hardly ever visited by tourists, here you can get a taste of Parisian life as you wander the weaving pathways and marvel at the architecture just beyond the gates.