Parc de Bagatelle
Parc de Bagatelle is a park located in the Bois de Boulogne, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. It was created in 1775 at the request of the Count of Artois, the younger brother of King Louis XVI. The park was designed by the Scottish landscape architect Thomas Blaikie and features a variety of gardens, including an English garden, a French garden, and a rose garden.
The park is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including peacocks, swans, and ducks. It also features several architectural elements, including a small castle, a waterfall, and a Chinese pagoda.
Opening Times
Parc de Bagatelle is open daily from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM, from April 1 to September 30, and from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, from October 1 to March 31. There is a cafe located in the park that serves coffee, pastries, and other snacks.
In addition to its natural beauty and historic architecture, Parc de Bagatelle is known for its annual rose competition, which takes place in June. The competition attracts rose growers from around the world and is considered one of the most prestigious rose competitions in the world.
Parc de la Villette
Parc de la Villette is a large park located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. It was built in the 1980s on the site of a former slaughterhouse and is now one of the largest parks in the city, covering 55 hectares.
The park features a variety of gardens, playgrounds, and cultural institutions. Some of the most popular attractions in the park include the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, a science museum; the Philharmonie de Paris, a concert hall; and the Géode, a giant movie theater.
The park is also home to a number of works of art and architectural features, including the iconic La Géode, a large geodesic dome made of steel and glass.
Opening Times
Parc de la Villette is open daily from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM. There are several cafes and restaurants located throughout the park, offering a variety of food and drink options.
In addition to its cultural and recreational offerings, Parc de la Villette is also an important site for urban planning and design. The park was designed by the architect Bernard Tschumi and is considered a pioneering example of postmodern landscape architecture.
Jardin des Plantes
Jardin des Plantes is a botanical garden and natural history museum located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. It was founded in 1626 by King Louis XIII as a medicinal herb garden and has since grown to become one of the largest botanical gardens in France.
The garden features a variety of plants and flowers, including a collection of over 4,500 species of plants from around the world. It is also home to several greenhouses, including a tropical greenhouse, a Mexican greenhouse, and a desert greenhouse.
In addition to the botanical garden, Jardin des Plantes also includes several museums, including the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, which displays a variety of specimens from the animal kingdom, and the Musée de l’Homme, which focuses on anthropology and human evolution.
Opening Times
Jardin des Plantes is open daily from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM, from April to September, and from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, from October to March. There are several cafes and restaurants located throughout the garden, offering a variety of food and drink options.
Jardin des Plantes has a long and storied history. In addition to its origins as a medicinal herb garden, it has played an important role in the development of natural history and scientific research in France. It was here that Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, the renowned naturalist and writer, established the Jardin du Roi, which would later become Jardin des Plantes, as a center for scientific research in the 18th century. The garden has since been a site of important discoveries and scientific breakthroughs, and is considered an important part of France’s scientific and cultural heritage.
Square des Batignolles
Square des Batignolles is a charming public garden located in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. It was created in the late 19th century by the landscape architect Jean-Charles Alphand as part of the city’s plan to create more green spaces for its residents.
The garden features a variety of flowers, trees, and shrubs, as well as a small lake and several fountains. It also includes a playground, a petanque court, and a fitness trail.
Opening Times
Square des Batignolles is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. There is a small cafe located within the garden, which serves coffee, pastries, and light snacks.
The history of Square des Batignolles is closely tied to the history of the surrounding neighborhood. The Batignolles area was once a working-class district, and the garden was created as a way to provide a peaceful retreat for local residents. Over the years, the neighborhood has undergone significant changes, but Square des Batignolles remains a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking for a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city.
Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil
Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil is a botanical garden and greenhouse complex located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. It was established in 1761 as a royal plant nursery, and over the years it has grown to become one of the city’s most important botanical collections.
The garden features a variety of plants and flowers, including rare and exotic species from around the world. It is organized into several different sections, each representing a different type of plant or geographic region. Some of the most popular areas of the garden include the palm house, the orchid house, and the cactus house.
Opening Times
Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except for Tuesdays when it is closed. There is a small cafe located within the garden, which serves coffee, pastries, and light snacks.
The history of Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil is closely tied to the history of French horticulture. The garden was established as a place to cultivate and study new plant species, and over the years it has played an important role in the development of botany and plant science in France. Today, it is considered an important part of France’s botanical heritage and is a popular destination for visitors interested in the natural world.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a large public park located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. It was designed by the landscape architect Jean-Charles Alphand in the late 19th century as part of the city’s plan to create more green spaces for its residents.
The park features a variety of natural and man-made features, including a large lake, waterfalls, grottos, and a suspension bridge. It also includes several hills and cliffs, offering stunning views of the city skyline. Additionally, the park has a number of walking and jogging paths, as well as picnic areas and a playground.
Opening Times
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, except for the winter months when it closes at 6:00 PM. There are several cafes located within the park, which serve coffee, pastries, and light meals.
The history of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is closely tied to the history of the surrounding neighborhood. The area was once a working-class district, and the park was created as a way to provide a peaceful retreat for local residents. Over the years, the neighborhood has undergone significant changes, but Parc des Buttes-Chaumont remains a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking for a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. It is also a popular spot for cultural events and outdoor concerts.
Square du Vert-Galant
Square du Vert-Galant is a small park located at the western tip of the Île de la Cité, an island in the heart of Paris. The park is named after Henry IV, who was known as the “Green Gallant” or “Vert-Galant” in French, and who was known for his many mistresses and love of the outdoors.
The park is popular for its views of the Seine River and the surrounding cityscape. It is also known for its small statue of Henry IV, which stands at the center of the park. The park features a few benches and a small grassy area, making it a popular spot for a picnic or a quiet afternoon reading a book.
Opening Times
Square du Vert-Galant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no cafe located within the park, but there are several restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area.
The history of Square du Vert-Galant is closely tied to the history of the Île de la Cité. The island has been an important center of Parisian life since the Roman era, and over the centuries it has been home to kings, queens, and many notable figures in French history. Today, the island remains a popular destination for tourists looking to explore the city’s rich cultural heritage, and Square du Vert-Galant is a small but important part of that heritage.
Parc Monceau
Parc Monceau is a public park located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. It was created in the 18th century by the Duke of Chartres, who commissioned the landscape architect Louis Carrogis Carmontelle to design a garden in the English style. The park features a variety of architectural and artistic elements, including a Roman colonnade, a Renaissance arch, and several statues and monuments.
The park is known for its picturesque landscape and formal gardens, which include winding paths, small ponds, and a variety of plant species. It also features several playgrounds, a carousel, and a small lake with rowboats.
Opening Times
Parc Monceau is open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There are several cafes and restaurants located within the park, which serve coffee, pastries, and light meals.
The history of Parc Monceau is closely tied to the history of the surrounding neighborhood. The area was once a fashionable district, and the park was created as a way to provide a peaceful retreat for local residents. Over the years, the park has undergone several renovations and redesigns, but it remains a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking for a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin du Luxembourg is a public park located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. It was created in the 17th century by Queen Marie de Medici, who commissioned the landscape architect Salomon de Brosse to design a garden inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy.
The park covers 23 hectares and features a variety of gardens, including a formal French garden, an English garden, and a forested area. It also includes several notable monuments and statues, including a large octagonal pond, a Medici fountain, and a statue of Liberty.
Opening Times
Jardin du Luxembourg is open daily from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM in the summer, and from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM in the winter. There are several cafes and restaurants located within the park, which serve coffee, pastries, and light meals.
The history of Jardin du Luxembourg is closely tied to the history of the French monarchy. Over the years, the park has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a royal hunting ground, a private garden for the royal family, and a public park for local residents. Today, it remains a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, who come to enjoy the park’s many attractions and to experience a tranquil escape from the busy streets of Paris.
Jardin des Tuileries
Jardin des Tuileries is a public park located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, adjacent to the Louvre Museum. It was created in the 16th century by Catherine de’ Medici, who commissioned the landscape architect André Le Nôtre to design a garden in the French formal style.
The park covers 22.4 hectares and features a variety of gardens, including a central axis with fountains, ponds, and sculpture gardens. It also includes several notable monuments and statues, including the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Obelisk of Luxor.
Opening Times
Jardin des Tuileries is open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM in the summer, and from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM in the winter. There are several cafes and restaurants located within the park, which serve coffee, pastries, and light meals.
The history of Jardin des Tuileries is closely tied to the history of the French monarchy. Over the years, the park has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a royal garden, a public park, and a site for political demonstrations and protests. Today, it remains a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, who come to enjoy the park’s many attractions and experience a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city.