The best park in each Paris arrondissement

Visiting Paris and looking for the perfect park to sit down, relax and maybe have a picnic? Look no further. Here’s our list of the best parks in each of the 20 Paris arrondissements.

1st – Palais-Royal

I know, I know, the Tuileries is obviously the best park in the 1st – maybe even in Paris. But let’s jump off the obvious train for a second and admire the magnificent, and frankly underrated, Palais-Royal. It was once a palace, but nowadays makes an ideal setting for taking it easy in the City of Light. Don’t miss the famed black and white Buren’s Columns to one side, then head through the series of stunning arcades to the tranquil and tree-lined gardens.

Address: 8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001

2nd – Fontaine Louvois

The 2nd district is the smallest arrondissement in the city and is totally lacking in green space. The only actual park is the Fontaine Louvois, but your best option is the little park out the front of the Richelieu library. The benefit being, of course, that the most magical library in Paris is just two steps away.

3rd – Square du Temple

A picturesque corner of Paris that’s ideal for a takeaway lunch. The square is on the former site of the European headquarters for the Knights Templar. You can see the locations of the original towers drawn on the street outside of the Mairie du 3ème, on the Rue Eugène Spuller side of the square.

Address: 64 Rue de Bretagne, 75003

4th – Place des Vosges

This beautiful 400-year-old square is a tranquil oasis. Find a bench, sit down, and watch Paris go by. Note: A stroll around the arcade perimeter is a must.

Address: Pl. des Vosges, 75004

Here is a video we made several years back with Paul Barron from Le Peloton Café walking around Place des Vosges on the hunt for the hidden rose garden nearby.

Bonus: Jardin des Rosiers – Joseph-Migneret

Jardin des Rosiers Joseph Migneret not only features a big chunk of the Philippe Auguste Wall, but it is a secluded place to escape the city’s bustle. Long time podcast listeners will no doubt remember the time a prolific Paris writer told me to meet him under the fig tree in this park. Tip: This is a terrific spot to come to eat a takeaway falaffel. Address: 10 Rue des Rosiers, 75004

5th – Jardin des Plantes

This park may not have the grandeur of the more famous Paris parks, or the intrigue, but it’s certainly a lovely place for a walk. Originally built as a medicinal herb garden for King Louis XIII, the Jardin des Plantes is now home to botanical gardens, a zoo, and the National Museum of Natural History. Don’t miss the wild statues on the southern end, especially the lion with what appears to be a severed human foot under its paw. Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 

6th – Luxembourg Gardens

It doesn’t get much better than this. The Luxembourg Gardens are a Paris highlight, and it’s a safe bet that many visitors don’t realise just how huge they are. Save a few hours for this place, watch the chess players on the west side (or dare to play!), sail a boat in the pond, find the beehives at the back, the statue of liberty replica, the pétanque fields, the tennis courts… This place goes on and on and all of it is lovely.

Address: Jardin du Luxembourg 75006

Paris based author John Baxter and I discuss the Jardin du Luxembourg below.

7th – Jardin Catherine Labourée

There are two big parks in the seventh (the Invalides and the Champ de Mars) but both are quite boring. This particular jardin near Coutume Cafe has a lot more to offer, including the lovely walk through grape vines pictured below.

Address: 29 Rue de Babylone, 75007

8th – Parc Monceau

Perhaps the most lovely park in Paris. No trip to the French capital is complete without half an hour in here. Don’t leave before finding the picturesque pond and classic colonnade alongside it.

Address: 35 Bd de Courcelles, 75008

9th – Square Alex Biscarre

Like the 2nd, the 9th is also a bit sparse with greenspace. Located in the former private garden of the hotel particulier Dosne-Thiers, Square Alex Biscarre is a quiet refuge in the neighbourhood.

Address: 53 Rue Saint-Georges 75009 Paris

10th – Canal Saint Martin

This is one of the coolest and prettiest parts of Paris, especially when the weather is great. Although the Canal St. Martin isn’t officially a park, it deserves a spot on this list. If you really need a park then head to the Jardin Villemin right at the canal’s curve, that one is hilly and lovely.

Crazy to think that it was once considered to be the dodgy part of town. Not anymore! Take a long walk along the water and really get to know the neighbourhood.

11th – Square Maurice Gardette

This delightful square is tucked away amongst the bustle of the popular restaurants and bars of the 11th. Grab a coffee at Beans On Fire next door, drink it in the park, then head around the corner to the Ateliers de Lumières for their latest exhibition. An unbeatable Sunday morning.

Address: 2 Rue du Général Blaise, 75011

12th – Promenade Plantée

An excellent place for a stroll, this used to be a train line and now is a leafy escape from the bustling city below. The main entrance is not far from Bastille, but there are several staircases leading up (and down) dotted along the way. Fun fact: this park inspired the High Line in New York.

Address: 1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 75012

Bonus – Bois de Vincennes

One of the “lungs of Paris”, the Bois de Vincennes is enormous park to the east of the city. And it truly is enormous. You’ll likely only see one corner of it, but that’s the best bit for a boat ride, a picnic, and peacock spotting on the island in the middle. To the north side is the Paris zoo which is equally grand and makes for a great spot to take the kids.

13th – Mail de Bièvre

The thirteenth is huge and there are quite a few nice spots if you’re looking for green space. But we went with the Mail de Bievre purely for its outrageous cherry blossoms. If you’re only going to visit once, make it during cherry blossom season. Otherwise, if you just want a nice big park, then head to Parc Kellerman where you can find ponds, tree-lined walkways, and homages to the Bievre river as we found here.

Address: 109 Bd Auguste Blanqui, 75013

14th – Parc Montsouris

A grand and sweeping expanse, the Parc Montsouris will make you forget you’re in Paris. Keep an eye out for the Arago markers for the Paris Prime Meridian, the pleasant water feature, and the glimpses of the Petite Ceinture abandoned railway line (which you’re not supposed to walk along…).

Address: 2 Rue Gazon 75014 Paris

15th – Île aux Cygnes

Why not throw an island park into this mix? Head to the Ile aux Cygnes for an unusual stroll (more info here), and be sure to head all the way to the western edge for a closer look at the biggest Statue of Liberty in Paris. (Here’s how to find the other seven).

Address: Île aux Cygnes, 75015

16th –  Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil

Let’s take this list inside. The Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil is a botanical garden in a greenhouse, and just a small part of the immense Bois de Boulogne (more on that below). The greenhouse showcases 100,000 plants and has a very rich cultural and archaeological heritage. The garden and the building itself are listed historic monuments.

Address: 3 Av. de la Porte d’Auteuil, 75016

Bonus: Bois de Boulogne

The second “lung of Paris”, this enormous park is a delight to explore – find the Louis Vuitton art gallery, the fairground and, of course, the lake where you can even hire a rowboat.

17th – Square des Batignolles

This is one of the prettiest English gardens you’re going to come across with a surprisingly diverse bird population.

Address: 144 bis Rue Cardinet, 75017

18th – Les Jardins Renoir du musée de Montmartre

You’ll need to pay to see this one, it’s part of the Museum of Montmartre, not far from the Sacre Couer. But it’s a favourite spot for pure peace amidst tourist chaos. There’s even a cafe right there and the museum is charming too.

Address: 12 Rue Cortot, 75018 Paris

19th – Parc des Buttes Chaumont

This beautiful park is landscaped with an artificial grotto and waterfall. The suspension bridge that goes across the lake was designed by none other than Gustave Eiffel. Very hilly with exceptional views over Paris.

Address: 1 Rue Botzaris 75019

20th – Parc de Belleville

And finally… a park with a killer view. Parc de Belleville offers beautiful views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower and there is a small vineyard in the park, paying tribute to the wine-agricultural past of the area.

Address: 47 rue des Couronnes 75020

That’s it! If you like these tips, be sure to check out the Earful Tower’s 2024 Guide to Paris:

Additional reporting by Zach Egan and Charlotte Pleasants.