When it comes to Paris, visitors usually have some incredibly specific must-see lists. Some want the ultimate shopping experience in Paris; others long to see the Eiffel Tower. For iconic views, booking a highly-recommended hotel overlooking the Eiffel Tower can be a key part of the trip planning. Still others are into a complete Paris food tour, or perhaps they want to visit the famous Disneyland Paris theme park!
What may not always be part of a formal itinerary, but nearly always ends up being part of a trip nonetheless, is a visit to one of Paris’ many parks. The City of Light boasts over four hundred parks of varying sizes, from tiny pocket-sized escapes to vast and perfectly manicured expanses. Since walking is a big part of any Paris visit, odds are very good that you’ll end up on a bench in at least one of these parks, taking a quiet break to rest your feet and mind.
If you’d like to make more of a deliberate choice to spend time in a Parisian park–it is, after all, typically one of the best free things you can do in Paris, then we’ve got a few of the best parks and gardens in Paris for you to consider, from the most well-known to the smallest jewel-box beauties.
Most Beautiful Parks and Gardens in Paris, France to Explore
I have put together a short list (yet my favorite one) of the most beautiful parks in Paris, France. Whether you want relaxation, adventure, or stunning views, you have the right green space for you and your family.
1. Jardins des Tuileries, 1st Arrondissement
Hours of Operation: Variable depending on season, check the Louvre website for specifics
Entry Fee: Free
One of the best and most well-known parks in Paris is the Jardins des Tuileries. Created by Catherine de’ Medici in 1564 as part of the Palais des Tuileries, the gardens are now all that remains of the former residence of French royalty, and have been open as a public park since the 17th century. Originally designed in Italian fashion, the Tuileries are now French style, with beautifully manicured greenery, attractive works of art, and pretty splashing fountains. The park is very popular, and you’ll often find events like Paris Fashion Week and the Fêtes des Tuileries going on when you wander through.
Due to the location of the gardens along the banks of the Seine and next to the Louvre, the Tuileries are an ideal place to sit and people watch for a time–there are plenty of benches. Plan ahead and bring a bit of bread and cheese so you can enjoy a little al fresco lunch to refuel before you resume your Parisian rambles.
2. Square des Batignolles, 17th Arrondissement
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM M-F, 9:00 AM to 5:45 PM Sa-Su
Entry Fee: Free
Not far from Montmartre, often considered to be among the areas to stay in Paris, is the unusual Square des Batignolles–unusual in that it is an English-style jumble of a garden, allowed to grow somewhat more organically and less manicured than the formal-style Tuileries. It is tiny–clocking in at a mere two hectares as opposed to the Tuileries’ 28–yet still widely thought to be among the best parks in Paris.
The Square des Batignolles makes for a pleasant place to walk, play boules, or just sit and admire the placid pond and burbling creek. You can’t picnic on the lawn as it is protected, but there are plenty of seats tucked around the little square. And on Saturdays, there’s a farmers’ market not far away, so if you’re not sure what to eat in Paris, just pick up some nibbles there and claim a bench in the park for lunch.
There’s a charming and friendly air to this almost rustic pocket of a park, which is a genuinely lovely place to visit with a romance novel in hand. It’s one of the best playgrounds in Paris for kids, thanks to the carousel and ping pong tables (you’ll need to bring your own paddles and balls), so if you’re visiting with your family you’ll all truly enjoy this pretty little green space.
3. Jardin de la Nouvelle France, 8th Arrondissement
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours
Entry Fee: Free
Even tinier than the Square des Batignolles, Jardin de la Nouvelle France is a true hidden gem in Paris as far as parks go. Under a single hectare in size, this incredible little park packs multiple levels of lush, tumbling beauty into its small space.
Dozens of lovely old trees stand shoulder to shoulder to create a shady little escape, there’s an exquisitely carved wooden bridge often festooned with streamers of greenery, and weeping willows dip their sorrowful branches into the waters of a shallow rock pond. This may well be one of the most beautiful places in Paris, and it makes a lovely pause point if you’re already going to be shopping along the Champs-Élysées or planning to see the Palais de la Découverte science museum. For more ideas on capturing picturesque moments, explore some of the most popular photo spots in Paris.
4. Jardin de Musée Rodin, 7th Arrondissement
Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM, Tu-Su
Entry Fee: €14, as it is part of the museum; 1st Sundays of the month are free Oct-Mar
Visiting the Musée Rodin is one of the more unique museum experiences in the world, as the museum’s adjacent sculpture garden is as much a part of it as the building that houses French artist Auguste Rodin’s collection of artworks. Many of Rodin’s sculptures stand dotted around the garden rather than tucked away inside a gallery; The Thinker, for example, has been installed to sit in pensive glory in its own pocket garden behind the museum, surrounded by perfectly sculpted trees.
The forecourt garden is a stunning manicured stretch of green space filled with such a wide variety of flowering plants, that something ends up being in bloom all year round. Rose lovers might find that May is the best time of year to visit Paris, as the Musée Rodin’s rose bushes burst into flower and release their heady aromas into the air; truly, this is one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris.
Jardin de Musée Rodin is a green space with an entry fee due to being part of a museum, but it’s so lovely that it’s genuinely worth the cost of admission.
5. Parc Monceau, 8th Arrondissement
Hours of Operation: Always opening at 7 AM, the park closes anywhere between 8 PM-10 PM depending on the season
Entry Fee: Free
Standing at the boundary of the 8th and 17th Arrondissements, the 19th-century Parc Monceau is often considered to be among the best parks and one of the most romantic places in Paris–and that’s quite an elite list to be on, considering Paris’ reputation as a city for lovers!
Another unusual English-style garden, with meandering paths, lush cascades of greenery, and picturesque follies, Parc Monceau is perfect for those who like to picnic on out-spread blankets and canoodle in thickets of shrubbery. To walk through the Parc Monceau is to feel as though you are living in and exploring an Impressionist painting; indeed, Claude Monet painted various areas of the park on no less than six occasions. A Corinthian colonnade, Venetian bridges, and exotic trees are just some of the treasures you’ll find as you explore one of the most famous romantic parks in Paris. Parc Monceau would be a lovely alternative to an Eiffel Tower proposal if you’re looking for something a little different on your special day.
Fine Times in the Fresh Air
Spending time outdoors is a quintessentially Parisian activity; as long as the sun is out, you’ll find a large number of Paris citizens outside soaking up the sunshine and fresh air in the city’s many great parks. So if you want to live like a local during your time in the city, make sure you join them! Whether you stroll, sunbathe, picnic, or people-watch, your time in a Parisian park will be time well spent.