Paris Top 10 : Parks and Gardens – Top 10 Fountains

1. Jardin du Luxembourg

   Parisians
   love this centrally located park, set around the Palais du Luxembourg.
   The sweeping terrace is a great place for people-watching, while locals
   sunbathe around the Octagonal Lake or sail toy boats in the water.
   Statues are dotted throughout the grounds, and there is a café .

   
   

   
   
   

   Jardin du Luxembourg

2. Jardin des Tuileries

   Now
   officially part of the Louvre, these gardens were laid out in the 17th
   century as part of the old Palais de Tuileries. They stretch along the
   Seine between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. The walkways are
   lined with lime and chestnut trees. Statues include bronze figures by
   Aristide Maillol.

   
   

   
   
   

3. Jardin des Plantes

   Established
   as a medicinal herb garden for the king in 1626, these vast botanical
   gardens are a wonderfully tranquil spot. Paths are lined with statuary
   and mature trees, including the oldest in Paris, an Acacia robinia dating from 1636. There is also an alpine garden.

   
   

   
   
   

   Jardin des Plantes

4. Bois de Boulogne

   At
   the weekends, Parisians head for this vast park on the western edge of
   the city, with a boating lake and paths for cycling, jogging and
   strolling. There are three formal gardens, lakes and waterfalls, and
   even two horse-racing tracks. A good spot for a break from the city
   bustle.

   
   

   
   
   

   Bois de Boulogne

   
   
   

   Bois de Boulogne

5. Bois de Vincennes

   Another
   great escape from the city, this park is to the east of Paris what the
   Bois de Boulogne is to the west. A former royal hunting ground, it was
   landscaped in the 1860s. Now it features ornamental lakes and
   waterfalls, a zoo, a funfair and horse-racing tracks .

   
   

   
   
   

6. Parc Monceau

   The
   most fashionable green space in Paris, full of well-heeled residents of
   the nearby mansions and apartments. The lush landscaping dates from the
   18th century, and some architectural follies, such as the Classical
   colonnade, survive .

   
   

   
   
   

7. Jardins du Palais Royal

   These lovely gardens are enclosed by the 18th-century arcades of the Palais-Royal. Contemporary sculptures include Daniel Buren’s controversial striped columns.

   • Pl du Palais Royal, 75001

   
   

   
   
   

8. Versailles

   There
   are gardens galore at this famous royal palace, from the formal French
   gardens with their geometric paths and shrubberies, to the wandering
   paths through the rural-style English garden north of the Petit Trianon.
   In summer, you can row boats on the lovely cross-shaped Grand Canal .

   
   

   
   
   

9. Parc Montsouris

   Located
   south of Montparnasse, this is the second-largest park in central Paris
   and very popular with city residents. It was laid out in the English
   style atop an old granite quarry by landscape architect Adolphe Alphand
   between 1865 and 1878. Hemingway and other writers and artists frequented the park in the mid-20th century. It has a jogging path, lake and a bandstand.

   • Blvd Jourdan, 75014

   • Metro Cité Universitaire

   
   

   
   
   

10. Parc des Buttes Chaumont

    The
    great city planner Baron Haussmann created this wonderful retreat
    northeast of the city centre in 1867, from what was formerly a rubbish
    dump Parc des Buttes Chaumont.
    His architects built artificial cliffs, waterfalls, streams and a lake
    complete with an island crowned by a Roman-style temple. There is also
    boating available, a café and lovely views of Sacré-Coeur.

    • Rue Manin, 75019

    • Metro Buttes-Chaumont

    
    

    
    
    

Top 10 Fountains