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The 10 Best Parks & Gardens in Paris (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 10 picks

The best parks in Paris in 2026 are the Jardin du Luxembourg for its fountains and famous green chairs, the Tuileries between the Louvre and Concorde, the hilly Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, the Jardin des Plantes for botany and a small zoo, and elegant Parc Monceau.

Paris parks are free, open from early morning until dusk (later in summer) and full of locals at lunchtime and weekends. Formal French gardens such as the Tuileries and Luxembourg have gravel paths, clipped trees and chairs to drag into the sun; in some, the lawns are off limits, so look for the signs. For picnics, the Buttes-Chaumont and Parc de la Villette allow sitting on the grass. For more free ideas, see our free things to do in Paris.

1. Jardin du Luxembourg — Saint-Germain, 6th

The Left Bank's favorite garden, with fountains, a palace and the famous green chairs.

The Jardin du Luxembourg surrounds the Luxembourg Palace, seat of the French Senate. It has formal lawns, tree-lined paths, the Medici Fountain, an orchard and a large octagonal pond where children sail toy boats.

Grab a green chair by the pond, or watch the boules and chess players. It suits a relaxed afternoon between Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter.

Good to know: Rent a toy sailboat at the pond for children; it is a Paris tradition.

Rue de Médicis / Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris

Google Maps Website

2. Jardin des Tuileries — Louvre, 1st

The formal garden linking the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.

The Tuileries runs from the Louvre to Place de la Concorde, with straight gravel paths, fountains, sculptures and two museums at its western end: the Orangerie, home of Monet's water lilies, and the Jeu de Paume.

Walk it on the way from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées. In summer a funfair sets up along Rue de Rivoli.

Good to know: Sit in the chairs by the Grand Bassin Octogonal for a view up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe.

Place de la Concorde / Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Google Maps

3. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont — Belleville, 19th

A dramatic park of cliffs, a lake and a hilltop temple.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont was built in a former quarry, with steep cliffs, a lake, a waterfall in a grotto and the Temple de la Sibylle on a rocky island. It has some of the best views in eastern Paris.

Locals picnic on its sloping lawns. It suits a weekend afternoon and pairs well with Belleville's cafés.

Good to know: Climb to the Temple de la Sibylle for the view over the park and Montmartre.

1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris

Google Maps

4. Jardin des Plantes — Latin Quarter, 5th

Paris's botanical garden, with greenhouses, a small zoo and natural-history galleries.

The Jardin des Plantes is the main botanical garden of France, with formal flower beds, large greenhouses, the Ménagerie zoo and the Grand Gallery of Evolution of the National Museum of Natural History.

It suits families and anyone who loves plants. The garden is free; the greenhouses, zoo and galleries charge entry.

Good to know: Combine it with the Grande Mosquée de Paris next door for mint tea.

57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris

Google Maps Website

5. Parc Monceau — Monceau, 8th

An elegant English-style park with follies and a colonnade.

Parc Monceau is a romantic English-style park in a smart residential quarter, with curving paths, follies including a colonnade by an oval pond, and wide lawns.

It suits a calm walk away from the tourist crowds. The Musée Nissim de Camondo and Musée Cernuschi are on its edges.

Good to know: Enter through the gilded gates on Boulevard de Courcelles by Monceau metro station.

35 Boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris

Google Maps

6. Jardin du Palais-Royal — Palais-Royal, 1st

A secluded garden inside a palace courtyard, with arcades and Buren's columns.

The Palais-Royal garden is enclosed by arcades lined with shops and restaurants. Its courtyard holds Daniel Buren's striped columns, a favorite photo spot.

It suits a quiet break near the Louvre. Have a coffee under the arcades.

Good to know: Visit early or late in the day for the calmest garden.

8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris

Google Maps Website

7. Coulée verte René-Dumont — Bastille, 12th

A planted walkway on a former railway viaduct.

The Coulée verte René-Dumont, also known as the Promenade Plantée, runs along a former railway viaduct from near Bastille toward the Bois de Vincennes. The arches below hold craft workshops.

It suits an easy elevated walk. Walk as far as you like and drop back to the street on the many staircases.

Good to know: Start near Bastille and walk east along Avenue Daumesnil.

Coulée verte René-Dumont, Avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris

Google Maps

8. Parc de la Villette — La Villette, 19th

A huge modern park with themed gardens, a science museum and concerts.

Parc de la Villette is one of Paris's largest parks, with themed gardens, red follies, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie and the Philharmonie de Paris. Its lawns host an open-air cinema in summer.

It suits families and anyone who wants space and modern architecture.

Good to know: Check the summer open-air cinema program, usually in July and August.

211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris

Google Maps Website

9. Jardin d'Acclimatation — Bois de Boulogne, 16th

A historic children's amusement park in the Bois de Boulogne.

$ Budget

The Jardin d'Acclimatation is a paid amusement park and garden in the Bois de Boulogne, with rides, animals and play areas. The Fondation Louis Vuitton is next door.

It suits families with young children. Combine it with the Fondation Louis Vuitton for the adults.

Good to know: Buy tickets online to save time at the gate.

Route de la Porte des Sablons, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris

Google Maps Website

10. Parc Floral de Paris — Bois de Vincennes, 12th

A flower garden in the Bois de Vincennes, with summer concerts.

The Parc Floral is a botanical park inside the Bois de Vincennes, with seasonal flower displays, playgrounds and summer concerts. The Château de Vincennes is nearby.

It suits a day out on the eastern edge of the city, especially with children.

Good to know: Combine it with a visit to the Château de Vincennes.

Route de la Pyramide, Bois de Vincennes, 75012 Paris

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

What is the most beautiful park in Paris?

The Jardin du Luxembourg is most often named, with its palace, fountains, flower beds and green metal chairs. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, with its cliffs, lake and temple, is the most dramatic, and Parc Monceau the most elegant.

Can you sit on the grass in Paris parks?

In many parks, yes, but some formal gardens close their lawns or mark them off limits, and lawns can be closed in winter to recover. Look for "pelouse autorisée" or "pelouse interdite" signs. Buttes-Chaumont and La Villette are among the best picnic parks.

What time do Paris parks close?

Most open around 7am or 8am and close at dusk, from about 5pm in winter to 9:30pm or later in summer. Closing times are posted at each gate, and guards blow whistles before closing.

Which Paris park is best for kids?

The Jardin du Luxembourg has a playground, puppet theater, pony rides and toy sailboats on the pond. The Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne is a paid amusement park, and the Jardin des Plantes has a small zoo.

Is there an elevated park in Paris?

Yes. The Coulée verte René-Dumont is a planted walkway on a former railway viaduct, running east from near Bastille along Avenue Daumesnil.

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