The BEST parks in Paris by arrondissement
I’m naming all my top picks for the best parks and gardens in Paris in each and every arrondissement.
Paris has beautiful parks and no matter which of Paris’s 20 arrondissement (suburbs) you stay in, there’s at least one within walking distance worthy of your time. No trip to Paris is complete with a park stroll or picnic with a baguette. Let’s do it…
1st Arrondissement (The Lourve)
Square du vert galant. That’s right. NOT the Tuileries - the fancy gardens next to the Louvre. Yes, it’s nice but there are other’s like it in Paris and it’s surrounds. The Square du vert galant is a tiny, teeny patch of green, on the tip of the centre island in Paris (the one Notre Dame is on). Locals know about it, but tourists sometimes struggle to find it. It’s an amazing spot to people watch and have a snack.
Honourable mentions: Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Palais Royal
2nd Arrondissement (Bourse, Sentier neighbourhood)
The 2nd arrondissement is a tricky one as Square Louvois is basically only the real park in the area. It is quintessentially Parisian however - a small square with detailed fountain in the centre and some grass you can sit on, rife for a picnic! Honourable mention:
The green patch on the corner of Rue d'Aboukir & Rue des Petits Carreaux. While barely a park, its a small corner with sitting surrounded with takeaway food and is features my favourite pieces of street art in Paris.
3rd Arrondissement (The Haut-Marais, Picasso Museum)
Without a doubt, the Gardens of the National Archives is the most grand and impressive park in the 3rd. Think, manicured topiary, surrounding a beautiful old building that would rival the Louvre on the outside but without all the bloody people!
Honourable mention: The Square Saint-Gilles du Grand Veneur is quaint, peaceful + full of roses.
4th Arrondissement (Ile St Louis, The Marais)
Ok this is one is obvious, but for a reason. The Place des Vosges is one of most beautiful places to visit in Paris. It’s the oldest planned square in Paris and was built in the 1600s + Victor Hugo lived on the square. It’s boujee, it’s symmetrical, it’s gorgeous.
Honourable mention:
The Cour et Jardin de l'Hôtel de Sully is actually attached to Place des Vosges. It’s similar, but smaller and with less people. The entry is hard to find so look at your map closely. Once you do find it, you feel like you stumbled onto an amazing secret.
5th Arrondissement (The Latin Quarter, the Sorbonbe, Medieval Paris)
The Square des arènes de Lutèce is the grounds to an ancient Roman ampitheatre that was part of original Paris - super unique! Along with amazing history, it’s just chill vibe - teens playing soccer, people playing boules.
Honourable mentions: Tino Rossi Garden, Square René Viviani, Jardin des Plantes
6th Arrondissement (High end cafes, old churches)
Another obvious pick this time - the Jardin du Luxembourg! This is arguably one of, if not THE, best park in Paris. It big, formal in some parts, more wild in others. A mansion, a huge lake with kids sailing boats, fountains and lots of chairs to sit on. This has it all and is so classically Paris.
Honourable mention: Square Laurent-Prache + it’s 12th century Abbey.
7th Arrondissement (The Eiffel Tower)
This is a tough one as this area of Paris is filled with free accessible parks and gardens, including those around the Eiffel Tower. BUT my number one pick for the best garden in the 7th arronndissement is the Gardens of the Musée Rodin. This is technically inside the museum and does cost money, but the ground are so relaxing and feature many of his most famous sculptures. Spot the gardens in “Midnight in Paris:
Honourable mentions: Esplanade des Invalides, Champ-de-Mars, Jardin Catherine-Labouré
8th Arrondissement (Champs Elysées)
For me there is a clear and sole park worthy of this list in the 8th. And, that is Parc Monceau. Parc Monceau is a such a great example of a typical Parisian neighbourhood park. European and somewhat formal with random sparks of curiousity. Large enough yet with plenty of intimate spots.
9th Arrondissement (Shopping, Pigalle bar scene)
The 9th of Paris is not known for parks and it shows. But if you’re staying in the hood, Square Montholon is a small but true local park experience to be had.
Honourable mention: Pigalle basketball court - not strictly a park but a worthy outdoor place to hangout!
10th Arrondissement (Transport hub)
Paris’s 10th is often overlooked with the bulk of the area housing 2 of Paris’s main train stations. Venture a little further and you will find Villemin Mahsa Jîna Amini Garden. It’s large, community orientated and family friendly - if you go you will undoubtedly be hanging out with the many multicultural families who make up the area. Plus, short work to the canal!
Honourable mention: The small but very classy Hôpital-Saint-Louis Garden
11th Arrondissement (Hip bars)
The 11th is one of the coolest parts of Paris to hang out. Bars and restaurants a plenty. But if you want a chill moment in a park before hand, head to Square Maurice Gardette.
12th Arrondissement (revamped local area)
Some of the best green space in Paris is actually found in this area despite it being more residential. Now, technically, this is a bit of a 2-for-1, but my pick is the Coulée Verte AKA Promenade Plantée and the Bois de Vincennes. The first is a park built along a former above ground railway, not dissimilar to New York’s Highline. It’s stretches for several kms until it makes it way out of the city and connects to the Bois. A Bois, is essentially a forest, so a realllllly big park haha! It’s sprawling and wild and a great place to eat, drink, play sports, picnic or ride around. Definitely a local spot for Parisian’s who want to escape the centre.
Honourable mentions: Jardin de Reuilly Paul Pernin, Parc de Bercy
13th Arrondissement (Chinatown, modern Paris)
So technically not a park but my pick in the 13th of Paris is the steps and forecourt of the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand. Overlooking the Seine, this spot is such a vibe to just sit and watch the world go by. Bring some snacks and chill.
Honourable mention: Jardins Grands Moulins Abbé Pierre - it has a modern overgrown vibe to the landscaping which is a stark contrast to the modern high-rises that surround it.
14th Arrondissement (Residential Paris)
Another arrondissement with surprising amount of green space on offer. The best park in the 14th has to be the Parc Montsouris however. Styled on London parks, it’s more sprawling with lots of grass and large shady trees to lie under. Very pictureque and great if you’re a runner too.
Honourable mention: The Petite Ceinture - the walkable remains of old railway line and tunnel ft. lots of graffiti. Something different than your usual park in Paris.
15th Arrondissement (chic but overlooked)
Parc André Citroën is a very modern park with architecture to match. It’s beautiful AND has a hot air balloon you can go up!
Honourable mentions: Parc Georges-Brassens & Square Saint-Lambert with it’s Eiffel Tower view
16th Arrondissement (Upscale, Arc du Triomphe)
The Bois de Boulogne - former royal hunting grounds turned public forest and is on the otherside of Paris from the Bois de Vincennes. This way both sides of Paris are in reach of a vast green space to explore. There are a myriad of lakes, botanical gardens, numerous buildings and places to eat all within the bois. I’ve been to both and I feel like one is more fancy and less wild the other and this maybe linked to it being on the posher side of Paris?!
17th Arrondissement (Upper-middle class Paris)
The Parc Clichy-Batignolles Martin Luther King is a visually stunning park with modern clean lines and a sense of serenity. it makes sense that it’s in the 17th, whose locals epitomises the French phrase “Bobos” meaning bourgeois bohemian or hipsters who are little older now and earn more money, have a family etc.
Honourable mention: Parc Promenade Pereire
18th Arrondissement (Montmatre, Sacré Coeur)
The Sacré Coeur - the big white domed church on the hill - dominates Montmartre and most people approach it from below. Often this walk through the Square Louise Michel is seen as just a means to an end but it’s actually a great place explore more carefully, especially to the right where it’s less busy - grab a bench here and watch the world go by.
Honourable mention: The ‘I love you’ wall in Square Jehan Rictus
19th Arrondissement (the Canal)
The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont used to be a hidden secret, as did the whole of 19th itself. It is more well known now but I don’t think it’s lost charm yet. This is a big park so there’s plenty of space to have to yourself. It’s very hilly with lookouts, winding paths and even a suspension bridge. It also has cool bar restaurants to hang out.
Honourable mentions: Jardin Bergeyre, La Villette
20 Arrondissement (Belleville, grungy)
This Paris recommendation is a no-brainer. The Pierre Lachaise Cemetery is pretty well known yet, due to its size, there is still plenty of space for it to stay quiet. Home of some of Paris’ most famous deceased, the cobblestone paths, benches, ornate plots and shady hanging trees make it quite beautiful despite the fact it is, well, a cemetery.
There you have it - a rundown of all the best parks and gardens in Paris. Pick at least 1, if not more, of these beautiful parks and gardens to visit on your trip to Paris!
