There is so much to see and do in Paris, but don't forget about the green spaces ! If you're going to Paris in the spring, be sure to add visiting some parks to your list of things to do. Seeing all the flowers blossom is such a treat ! If you don't know, Paris is broken down into arrondissements. These are in a clockwise direction starting with the 1st which is on the right bank of the Seine. They make a snail shell shape around Paris. You will also hear people talk about the left bank or the right bank, referring to the Seine River. The first four arrondissements are on the right bank of the Seine, the 5th jumps to the other side, the left bank. Then, the arrondissements go in a clockwise direction around Paris until the 20th arrondissement. These are some of my favorite places to visit in Paris during the spring to see all of the flowers in bloom. 1. Jardin des Plantes
5th Arrondissement I absolutely love this garden. Especially in late march/early April. There are tons of cherry trees, including a huge kwanzan cherry tree that is absolutely magnificent.
All of the plants in this garden are labelled and you can spend hours here if you love plants. The names are in Latin and French, so if you want the English name, you'll have to look it up. Around Christmas, there is a huge display of blow-ups. It changes every year. Last year was bugs, the year before dinosaurs. They are inflatable and take over the park. They are free to see during the day, but they light up at night and you have to pay to enter the park.
2. Jardin du Luxembourg
6th Arrondissement This garden now houses the Senate building. So, if you're there and wondering why there is a building with an armed guard behind a fence, it is because this is the Senate building. The Medici fountain is near the entrance of the park near the Senate building. This fountain was built in 1630. It was recently cleaned and is a must see when you visit this park. On the other end of the park are playing fields. You might notice people playing a game with throwing balls. This is pétanque, like lawn bowling or bocce ball. It is fun to sit and watch. There are chairs around the fields for this reason.
Take a tour here
3. Parc Monceau
8th Arrondissement This park is very close to the Arc de Triomphe. It includes a naumachie, which was inspired by the ancient Romans who used decorations like this to line the areas that hosted naval battles. It is a colonnade that was built in 1559 by Catherine de Medici for her husband.
You ca discover the park and learn about Haussmann here.
4. Parc de Buttes Chaumont 19th Arrondissement This park is very hilly, but it does offer great views of Paris. It used to be a gypsum and limestone quarry, now you can see the remnants of this when you enter a grotto and see a waterfall. There is a lake and trees that blossom beautifully in the spring. The park also features a 63 meter suspension bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel (the designer of the Eiffel Tower). 5. Père Lachaise
20th Arrondissement Ok, technically this is a cemetery not a park. But if you're looking for a quiet place, go here ! The grave monuments are beautiful and being a cemetery, it is so quiet and peaceful. Occasionally you might find groups of school students looking for certain graves, my first time there, I was asked several times if I knew where certain graves were. There are many famous people buried in this cemetery, so if you want to be like the students and find particular graves, you can find maps of the cemetery online, or you can pick up a paper map at the entrance to the cemetery.
You can find a guided tour of the cemetery here.
6. Gardens at Palais Royale
1st Arrondissement This garden is lined with magnolia trees and is near the Louvre.
It is also the place to see the white and black columns.
This is not a picnicking park, it is small and when the magnolia trees are blooming, it's usually crowded.
7. Parc Floral
This is a great park located next to the Château de Vincennes. During peak season, there is a small fee to enter this park, about €2. It is the only park listed here that you have to pay to enter during the day.
If you want to see tulips and camelias blooming while peacocks roam around, visit this park. It is worth the small fee to enter in the spring. In the winter you don't have to pay, but you also won't see anything blooming.
Don't forget your blanket so you can picnic in the park ! Lots of people do this, bring a bottle of wine, some cheese, and a baguette and enjoy relaxing in the parks of Paris !
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