This park is just delightful…read more It's a wonderful example of how you can take something mundane, apply a bit of imagination and turn it into a thing of elegance and beauty. The lot is on the side of a hill so the park starts off as two parallel stairways. They curve around a wooded area and drop you off on either side of the grotte. I've never seen stairs quite like this. When the pavement was poured they cut grooves into the steps that look like the grain in lumber. So the concrete looks like you're walking on wooden planks. And then you get to the cave. Someone took dozens of large, scraggly boulders and cemented them together to create a 30 foot structure with several entrances and a paved floor and a waterfall gently tumbling off the front into a beautiful, little, well manicured pool. Walk inside the grotte and you discover that you have a lovely view of the skyline of the nearby towns seen through the waterfall. And my kiddos climbed up to the top and discovered a little depression just big enough that they could squeeze their little butts inside and take a photo. Wander further down and there's a stone crocodile emerging out of the grass and another pair of staircases leading to a lovely lawn and a beautiful retaining wall ornamented with seven suns and several gargoyles. And still more stairs lead you to a little fountain and a reflecting pool and the little creek that runs through town. It's absolutely beautiful. One of those unexpected discoveries that make France such a delightful place.

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.

From the owner: Une fermette dans les Gondoles "Je me sers d'animaux pour instruire l'Homme". Ces quelques mots de…read moreJean de la Fontaine, inscrits à l'entrée de la ferme enfantine du parc des Gondoles, annoncent la couleur. Ici, vous êtes dans le royaume des animaux pour le plus grand bonheur des enfants. Tous les animaux de la ferme sont réunis dans un enclos de bois permettant ainsi aux enfants de s'approcher de près. Un parcours ludique et éducatif pour apprendre aux enfants que connaître les animaux, c'est se comprendre mieux.

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!

From the owner: Jardin de Roses A la retraite, Jules Gravereaux fait l'acquisition en 1892 d'une propriété à…read morel'Hay-les-Roses. Passionné par la photo, il reste enfermé dans ses murs toute la journée. Souhaitant le faire sortir pour prendre l'air, sa femme lui demande un jardin. Nait alors l'idées d'un jardin de roses et une collection de centaines de ces fleurs. Pour organiser sa collection (quelques 1600 espèces), l'heureux propriétaire fait appel à un architecture qui crée alors ce magnifique jardin, véritable écrin pour ces roses. D'amateur à passioné, Jules Gravereaux est passé à spécialiste reconnu de la rose. En 1910, son jardin est réogarnisé pour accueillir les 8000 roses du genre Rosa qu'il a réussi à réunir. Il s'agit de la Roseraie telle qu'on peut la visiter. Senteurs, odeurs, essences, couleurs, variétés sont à arpenter dans un superbe jardin de plus d'un hectare et demi, réparti en 12 allées. Le jardin s'agrémente d'un Théâtre de verdure et d'un Musée de la Rose.

From the owner: Piste aux rollers Dans un espace de 6000 m² à 15 minutes du centre de Paris, le Rollerparc Avenue…read moreest l'un des plus grands parc couvert d'Europe. Les pistes sont ouvertes aux rollers débutants et confirmés (enfants à partir de 4 ans et adultes). On y trouve une piste d'initiation, une piste de hockey, une piste de bosses, une aire de street junior, une aire de street géante, un complexe de bols, canyons, mini moyennes et grande rampes. La location de rollers peut se faire sur place et des cours sont proposés par des professeurs.Accès en voiture par l'A86, sortie n°24 Vitry sur Seine.

Probably because it's such a densely packed country France does wonderful parks. This one's no…read moredifferent. A running track, a couple o' soccer fields and a little creek in the back with a few ducks. A kids play area, a few statues and even some wild berries on the path on the side. It's pretty cool. It's a great little place to wander around. I've seen soccer teams practicing in the snow there and kids throwing javelins. Won't see that back home!!