The Best Paris Gardens & Parks

Paris Gardens & Parks

There are so many things to see and do in Paris, but sometimes you simply need to slow down. Luckily, the city has hundreds of parks and gardens ready to welcome you for a summer picnic under the trees or a leisurely stroll among the flowers. Pull up one of those iconic green chairs, prop your feet up on a fountain, and spend a relaxing afternoon soaking up the simple pleasures of Parisian life.

The best Paris gardens and parks offer much more than grassy lawns and pretty blossoms though. Famous destinations like the Luxembourg Gardens and the Tuileries are also home to stunning sculptures and statues, including a Statue of Liberty and several works by Rodin.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the little-known Parc André Citroën offers you the chance to see the city from above in its miniature hot air balloon. If you aren’t a fan of heights, a walk along the elevated linear park La Coulée Verte lets you keep your feet on the ground while still giving you interesting views of Paris.

If you’re looking for a bigger break from city living, explore one of the two woods on the outskirts of Paris. The Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne both boast miles of trails, lovely gardens, small lakes, and many more attractions on their grounds, including a château!

Can’t decide where to go first? Here’s the best Paris park to visit based on your interests.

Paris Cemeteries

Parks and gardens aren’t the only places to find calm in the French capital. Believe it or not, the cemeteries in Paris are also nice places for peaceful strolls along tree-lined paths.

Known for being the final resting place of Jim Morrison, Père Lachaise Cemetery is also incredibly beautiful with cobblestone alleys winding their way over the hill among impressive mausoleums. On flatter ground across town, Montparnasse Cemetery is where to take a reflective walk and visit the graves of many famous French artists, authors, and philosophers, including Charles Baudelaire, Marguerite Duras, Serge Gainsbourg, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir.