We went to the Jardin du Luxeumbourg on a scorching hot July day, and it was still a pleasure to…read morevisit, a beautiful park full of wonders, especially for the children. It reminded me of Rome's Villa Borghese and does in fact have Italian roots. The garden was built by a Medici, back in the 1600s. We were there for a little over an hour, my family, my brother's family, and my friend who lives in Paris. We'd agreed to meet up in the garden, and I figured out when we got there that we'd have to get more specific. We entered from opposite ends and converged at a spectacular central fountain, where dozens of children were racing toy boats using sticks that they thrust in the water. (My children wanted the sticks, and I declined to rent the boats just so they could thrash each other.) We walked around for a bit and ended up at the Ludo Jardin, a large contained playground with lovely equipment and an idyllic atmosphere. There was a small fee for entry, not ideal for a quick visit, but definitely worthwhile. Our three-year-old walked in and went straight for a sprinkler, where he spent the next half hour getting absolutely soaked. Our six-year-old did a little more exploring, though to be honest, I didn't pay close attention to what he was doing. After a while, both boys noticed ice cream for sale and asked for a treat. We indulged them and watched them slather themselves with chocolate ice cream and rainbow popsicle. When it was time to go, our three-year-old objected vigorously, insisting, "I didn't get to play!" He meant that he'd only splashed around in the sprinklers and had a popsicle, and hadn't explored the depths of the playground. I knew the feeling--I'd experienced it myself leaving the d'Orsay earlier that day, all those paintings and whole exhibit halls I'd missed. I do hope we get to come back to the Luxembourg Garden.

One of the reasons we chose the hotel for our April visit to Paris was the proximity to Le Jardin…read moredu Luxembourg -- the Luxembourg Garden. This is one of my favorite places in Paris. Besides the layout and beauty of the Garden itself, it is a wonderful way to experience the softer side of Paris. Despite April overcast and rainy weather, walking through the Park was uplifting as always. Tulips greeted us when we entered through the Gay-Lussac entrance. Once in the Park, we found more flowers and trees in bloom. Beyond Les Voiliers du Luxembourg -- an octagonal fountain for sail boats at the focal center if the Gaeden -- we walked through a canopy formed by rows of chestnut trees. It was great staying within a few blocks of Le Jardin du Luxembourg and visiting daily.

Yay for Parc Montsouris!…read more And recently oh so beautiful under the snow. Running paths are all over the place, the park is well kept. Dogs allowed (but not on the grass and always leashed....unless you break the rules ;).....) Its a great spot for a summer picnic.

This free park and garden is a beautiful escape from the ravages of the City of Lights. Paris, like…read moreNYC in the states to me, will captivate you. It will also wear you out and beat you senseless and emotionless. Come to Montsouris for relief. Take a stroll. Take a jog. Watch a rugby or soccer team work out. Read a book on a bench. Sunbathe. It is worth the time to decompress in this sanctuary in the city.

Champ de Mars is a vast green space located between the Eiffle Tower & the École Militaire. If…read moreromanticizing your life is your thing, a picnic on the grass with a glorious view of the Iron Lady should be on your to-do list. Benches dot the perimeter if sitting on grass sounds like a nightmare (it would be if I didn't have my trusty travel blanket with me.) The dirt areas combined with no colorful flowers in bloom make the park feel somewhat drab. Some nuisances to contend with: bees (so many bees) & aggressive peddlers of everything from alcohol to cheap souvenirs. Though there are far prettier parks in Paris, having the iconic structure seemingly within reach is the draw here. Check it out once; it is worth being on your Paris itinerary, especially if it's your first time here.

Champ de Mars is a lovely green space just outside the Eiffel Tower great for taking photos,…read morepicnicking or enjoying the view. Unfortunately becomes very overridden by souvenir salesmen and photographers who won't easily take no for an answer. Additionally a large part of the SE end is under construction as of May 2025, taking away from some of the parks iconic and relaxing feel.

This is the way to live! Fresh air, plenty of exercise and an abundance of art. I'm a huge fan of…read moreclassical sculpture and this was a magical part of my trip to Paris. Most of the sculptures are either Biblical or Greco-Roman themed. There's seating around a giant fountain, a playground for little ones and a few places to buy food.

Unlike the gated Jardin du Luxembourg, it would be hard to miss Jardin des Tuileries for a…read morefirst-time visitor to Paris because it's smack dab in the middle between two iconic destinations, the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. The question is whether you'd want to come back as a more seasoned Francophile tourist. Despite being constantly overcrowded, the answer is definitely yes. This has been the definitive green space that has epitomized classic garden architecture since the 16th century. The fountains, geometric layout, the Musee de l'Orangerie, and ornate statues by the likes of Rodin and Maillol give it the traditional French style we come to expect in Paris. It's also an unquestionable hub for social activity with playgrounds and sailboats on the Grand Bassin. Unfortunately, Jamie W and I weren't here during one of the seasonal events like the summer Fête des Tuileries when a carnival midway is set up, or Paris Fashion Week when runways are built and celebrities flock in frocks, or the Christmas market. The most prominent landmark when we visited was the Paris Cauldron, the mammoth epicentral sphere built for the 2024 Paris Olympics (Photo 6). RELATED - Exploring Paris? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/8duZBo1xLB

This is a nice place to slow down and relax and enjoy the fresh air in Central Paris. It's free…read moreand it's also apparently the oldest park in Paris. The elegant palace is also adjacent to a large green expanse called the Gardens of Luxembourg.

The Location: Metro #4 & 10, Exit : Odeon. About 10 minutes walk to the garden…read more The Palais is under-construction. There are many securities around the building. Very beautiful building! In the mean time, can check out the museum and hanging out at the park which is the largest park in Paris!

Quality/Quantity - Small local beautiful park, where all the locals were here taking a break. 3 of…read morethe 4 fountains were working. A great place for a snack or lunch break. Ambiance - See pictures. Dog & family friendly. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success.

This park and surrounding buildings make feel like you have traveled back to the 17th century…read more Place des Vosges is one of the oldest gardens and public squares in Paris. Originally called Place Royale, it is located in the Marais. The large park and garden is surrounded by elegant buildings erected in 1605. They were once home to Catherine de Medici and Victor Hugo. Today the park is still beautiful and open to the public. It was a great spot to enjoy my pain au chocolate one morning. The buildings now house a couple of 5 star hotels. Wouldn't you wake up like royalty staying here ? There also several art galleries, restaurants and cafés along the ground level with gorgeous interiors and fabulous outdoor dining under the porticos. My favorite shopping spot is in the north west corner- Juliette Has A Gun. I packed a more affordable hotel a couple of blocks away, but passed through here daily. Grabbing breakfast or snacks as heading to other parts of Paris.

Parc de Sceaux absolutely blew me away. I can't believe such a beautiful, open park can be accessed…read morein Paris where it felt like you could really just enjoy nature at its finest. I recently attended a big event hosted in the park and was very impressed with the environment. Well maintained lawn area with fountains and shady paths during hot days... so much of the park was made for a nice walk or a few hours of lounging. I highly recommend bringing snacks and doing a picnic here. This is truly one of the best parks I've ever frequented. The park is easily accessed via train but you'll need to make sure your specific one stops at the station. It's a 15 minute walk from the station and well worth the effort.

Parks are one of the things the French do best and this one's a beaut. A half mile square of…read morecascades and statues and manicured trees. It's just lovely. There's a little cafe in the middle of the park. When the weather's nice you can enjoy your cappuccino or Orangina as you watch the runners and the kids pass by. And you can do all that in a park surrounded by one of the most gorgeous neighborhoods you'll ever see. Amazing. There's nothing quite like this in the States.

Is it strange that I'm reviewing a park? Nevermind. Jardin…read moreAnne Frank is hidden away - you have to go in a cul-de-sac to find it. Need a clue? Follow the signs to the doll museum ("Musée de la poupée"). I have never been there mind you, dolls are way too scary. Lots of benches, a lovely alleyway under am arbour (is that the right word? some kind of metal or wooden structure that covers the alley and has lovely flowers/plants on it), and a little vegetable patch in the back. You can barely hear the noises from the very busy main street, even though you're literally a stone's throw away form Beaubourg. I think they do tours because I saw a bunch of tourists listening to a guide last time I went there (see how good I am at figuring out clues?). Which might be good if you want to actually know more about this history of this lovely garden, because the only thing I can tell you as that its name comes from its chestnut tree. Apparently, it grew from a graft from the one Anne Frank used to see from her window.

This park is a must-see if you are in Paris with young children in the warm months. It is enormous,…read moreso plan well and you can have a day enjoying picnic on grass, renting boats, eating ice cream, and wandering through the peaceful woods. There are bicycle rentals as well, for older kids and adults. For younger kids, the Guignol and area around that park--not sure if it is the Parc Floral but they are in the same area--is really fun and one of the few places where kids can be free to just run around, even on the grass. It was well-worth packing a picnic in the city and taking a metro for a while to get a bit a of green break from the grays and limestones of Paris.

I loved jogging to my neighborhood park and passing the children on pony rides and the row boaters…read morein the man-made pond. It is a lovely spot to visit if you are in the 12th but I probably wouldn't go out of my way for it. You can stop by one of the many boulangeries on Avenue Dausmenil for a snack and take it with you to sit in the park. Most of the nearby boulangeries and pâtisseries remain open, even on Sundays.

This park is a recent addition to the neighborhood. Apparently they've torn down a few derelict…read morebuildings and decided that the fine people of Fresnes needed a little more space for strolling and hand holding and leafy contemplation. There's not much to it but it's a perfectly delightful place to stretch your legs and peer into the year round creek. And if you've got someone that you like to kiss, the trees on the east side of the park are covered in mistletoe. Smoochie, smoochie!