9 of the Top Parks and Gardens in Paris

Inspired by the Medicis’ Boboli Gardens in Florence—and featuring classical French landscaping, pretty fountains, historic landmarks, and some 62 acres (25 hectares) of greenery—the 17th-century Luxembourg Gardens is an essential part of any Paris parks guide. Sandwiched between the bohemian Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin) and the well-heeled Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the garden welcomes more than 6 million visitors a year. It's little wonder why—it’s the nature retreat of choice for chic locals and Sorbonne students, as well as travelers looking to catch their breath. It’s worth taking a walking tour to learn more about the highlights and history of the Left Bank.

Overlooking the River Seine and just steps from the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden is a green oasis smack-dab in the middle of Paris. A former royal garden designed by landscape architect André Le Nôtre—best known as the creator of Versailles’ world-famous formal gardens—the Tuileries remains a popular place to stroll between sightseeing stops, while its carousel, boating lake, and other kid-friendly attractions make it a good stop for families. Get to know it as part of a Paris sightseeing tour, and be sure to dress your best—the gardens are famously a venue for Paris Fashion Week, after all.

Many famous gardens in Paris began as royal retreats, but none have a story that rivals the Jardin des Plantes’ origins. Founded by King Louis XIII in 1635, the 64-acre (26-hectare) green space was an educational one from the start, fast becoming one of Europe’s leading scientific establishments. Today, this botanical garden still has an educational focus, and is flanked by multiple museums, including the French National Museum of Natural History (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle). Bien sûr, you don’t need to be an academic to appreciate its rose garden, rows of plane trees, and other lush attractions.

Petit but perfectly formed, the Place des Vosges isn’t just known for its looks—it's also one of the most historic gardens in Paris. Located in the trendy Le Marais district (and a highlight of most Marais walking tours), the Place des Vosges dates back to the early 17th century, and is ringed by historic mansions, five-star hotels, and covered arcades. Just remember: This is a well-heeled, see-and-be-seen kind of place, so be sure to throw on a chic look before stopping to sun yourself on one of the park’s benches.

Located in the lofty heights of Paris’ 19th arrondissement, Buttes-Chaumont Park tends to fall off the typical tourist trail—but it’s well worth making the trip to the fantastical landscapes of this see-it-to-believe-it park. Constructed in a former quarry, the park is wild with its soaring rock formations and grottoes, but is also a haven of tranquility, thanks to its water features, Roman-temple follies, and hilly walking trails. In short, Buttes-Chaumont Park feels like a world away from the bustle of Paris.

Officially the largest park in Paris, the Bois de Vincennes is so vast—at 2,459 acres (995 hectares), it is almost three times the size of New York City’s Central Park—that it would take days to explore alone. Located on the city’s southeastern edge, this green lung boasts a wealth of historic highlights and attractions including the medieval Château de Vincennes; the Paris Floral Park (Parc Floral de Paris) (a destination-worthy botanical garden in its own right); a popular zoo, the Paris Zoological Park; and much more.

Officially Paris’ second-biggest park, the Bois de Boulogne, located along the city’s southwestern border, is like a mirror image of the Bois de Vincennes. Composed of former royal hunting grounds that sprawl across 2,100 acres (850 hectares), it, too, contains dozens of individual cultural attractions and notable green spaces, including the Parc de Bagatelle, Jardin d’Acclimatation amusement park, and the Fondation Louis Vuitton art museum.

Insider tip: Attention sports lovers: The Hippodrome Auteuil and Longchamp Racecourse are situated in the park, while Stade Roland Garros, where the French Open is held, is just on its edge.

Most Paris visitors know that the Rodin Museum is a great place to see artworks like The Thinker and other masterpieces by the Impressionist sculptor up close. But fewer are aware that the museum is also home to one of the loveliest Paris gardens. The Rodin Museum’s 7-acre (3-hectare) sculpture garden is a blissful, accessibly-sized oasis—despite the fact that it’s steps from Les Invalides, the Eiffel Tower, and other top Paris monuments. Within, year-round blossoms frame the sculptures on display.

Insider tip: Visiting from October to March? Receive free admission to the museum and its sculpture garden on the first Sunday of the month.

La Villette Park is, at 136 acres (55 hectares), the third-largest park in Paris. But it’s so much more than just a sprawling green space. Considered a major cultural destination, and home to one of the city’s heaviest concentrations of museums and performance spaces, this must-visit Paris park would take days—if not weeks—to discover in full. It’s worth planning your itinerary in advance: Explore all things science at La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, catch a performance at the Philharmonie de Paris or the Cabaret Sauvage, and discover its many gardens and canals.

Insider tip: La Villette hosts a number of top summer festivals, including Paris Plages, Jazz à La Villette, and Open Air Cinema at La Villette.