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
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.
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
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
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 .
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 .
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.
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 .
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
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
Agam Fountain Jewish architect Yaacov Agam designed this fountain of water and lights. Four Seasons Fountain Paris looks down on figures representing the Seine and Marne rivers, designed in 1739 by sculptor Edme Bouchardon. Fontaine des Innocents Carved by Jean Goujon in 1547, this is Paris’s only Renaissance fountain. Medici Fountain This ornate 17th-century fountain with a pond was built for Marie de Médicis. Molière Fountain This 19th-century fountain honours the French playwright. Observatory Fountain Four bronze statues representing the continents hold aloft a globe. Châtelet Fountain The two sphinxes of this 1808 fountain commemorate Napoleon’s victory in Egypt. Stravinsky Fountain Birds squirt water from this colourful fountain . Trocadéro Fountains Spouting towards the Eiffel Tower, these fountains are illuminated at night . Versailles Fountains The fountains at Versailles flow to music on summer Sunday afternoons.
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