Our Top 7 Best Parks in Paris

There are so many beautiful gardens and parks in Paris that it’s impossible to pick a favorite. Each spot has its own charm. Some parks offer wide open spaces for lazing on the grass and letting the kids run around.

Others are calm and full of flowers with those iconic green metal chairs so you can put your feet up and read a book all afternoon long. Whatever you’re after, you’re sure to find a Parisian park that’s just right for you. Read on for why we love these spots so much.

• The best parks in Paris to visit with kids:
  • Parc André Citroën
  • Parc de la Villette
• The best parks for an oh-so Parisian outing:
  • Jardin du Luxembourg
  • Jardin des Tuileries
• The best parks in Paris for escaping into nature:
  • Parc des Buttes Chaumont
  • Square des Batignolles
  • Parc de Bagatelle

Family Favorites

If you’re visiting Paris with kids, these are the parks with plenty of playgrounds, sprawling lawns, and frequent fun, family-friendly activities.

1. Parc André Citroën

Located in Paris’s largely residential 15th Arrondissement, Parc André Citroën has so much to do! Enjoy a picnic on the expansive lawn of this modern park or go up in the miniature hot air balloon to get great views of Paris. Let your children run around on the playground, or, on a hot summer day, let them play in the fountains!

2. Parc de la Villette

From outdoor movie screenings in the summer to spontaneous breakdance performances, this is perhaps the most vibrant and culture-centered park in all of Paris. Spanning both sides of the Bassin de la Villette, the Parc de la Villette includes a special kids’ area called the ‘Jardin des Vents et des Dunes’ with play spaces for children from 0-13 years. There’s also a crazy looking slide near the water that’s sure to thrill your little ones.

We also have tons of other ideas for making a trip to Paris fun for the whole family. See our recommendations for visiting Paris with kids.

Classic Paris Vibes

The type of parks you think of when daydreaming of Paris, these are the calm gardens in the city center with wide sand paths, pretty flowers, and ponds where Parisians sit and enjoy a break from their busy day.

3. Jardin du Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Gardens is perhaps Paris’s most famous park. Owned by the French Senate, the Palais de Luxembourg (their meeting spot) sits as its focal point, with the Instagram-worthy Medici Fountain close by. Although small compared to some of the other parks on this list, it’s beautiful, buzzy, and grand. Frequented by families for the pony rides, puppet shows, playgrounds, and miniature sailboats, it’s a melting pot of Paris’s finest. A must-stroll-through when exploring the Rive Gauche.

4. Jardin des Tuileries

It doesn’t get more ‘Classic Paris’ than this park. Stretching from just in front of the Louvre all the way to the Place de la Concorde, this French formal garden has been here since the 16th century. The Jardin des Tuileries‘ wide alleys make it ideal for a leisurely stroll on your way to or from the Champs Elysées and it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite spot for runners lucky enough to live or stay nearby. With plenty of buvettes for enjoying a coffee or snack and two artificial ponds to sit around, this is the perfect place for anyone looking to lead that flâneur lifestyle.

Countryside in the City

Spending time in any one of these bucolic green spaces, you could easily forget that you’re actually in Paris. Waterfalls, babbling brooks, and shade-providing trees make these parks some of the most relaxing and beautiful ones in town.

5. Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Located in Northeast Paris, next to the cool quartier of Belleville, the Parc des Buttes Chaumont is often missed by tourists, making it one of Paris’s hidden gems. This is the perfect place for a jog, a stroll with the kids, a romantic picnic, or even sunbathing near the small lake. Take in the breathtaking views as the sun sets over the City of Light or just enjoy the sound of the park’s waterfall.

6. Square des Batignolles

In the hip northwestern neighborhood of Batignolles, this little oasis sits behind a church and beside railroad tracks. The English garden is peaceful, perhaps surprisingly so for its location. Beautiful green lawns, a pond, and a small stream running through the park make the Square des Batignolles a popular place for locals to enjoy lunch on a nice day before returning to work.

7. Parc de Bagatelle

In the far west of Paris, tucked in the Bois de Boulogne, the Parc de Bagatelle is like visiting a country castle’s grounds. The enormous park includes waterfalls, an expansive rose garden, and plenty of peacocks strutting around. There’s also a restaurant on site should you get hungry. Unlike most parks in Paris, there’s a small admission fee of 2.50€, payable in cash or by card.

These may the seven best parks in Paris according to these criteria, but there are plenty of other great green spaces in the city worth discovering. From the romantic Parc Monceau to the unique High-Line-style park La Coulée Verte, find all our must-sees in our guide to all the Parisian parks worth seeing.