Knowing Paris inside out is an impossible challenge. No matter how long we've lived here, the capital will always manage to surprise us, let's face it. Considered the most beautiful city in the world, it's a veritable open-air museum. The Eiffel Tower dominates the Parisian skyline and has become its symbol, yet the capital's strong identity can be found in many other elements. FromHaussmannian architecture to iconic monuments, not forgetting its frenetic pace, the Parisian vibe surrounds us wherever we go.
And yet, sometimes, when exploring the capital and its surroundings, we come across a surprising place that gives us the illusion of being elsewhere. Often little-known, exotic havens of peace lie hidden in the Paris region. Once you know what they are, all you have to do is choose your destination: an immersion in the heart of Japan, a stroll in an oriental garden, an escapade in Wonderland... you'll have to expect the unexpected!
So, for those of you with a wanderlust, here's where to find the gardens that make you forget you're in Paris, as well as the most exotic green settings in the Paris region:
The Lutetia Arena, a Gallo-Roman amphitheater in the heart of Paris
Did you know about the Arènes de Lutèce? This well-preserved Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, located in the heart of the Arènes de Lutèce square in Paris, is a true symbol of the Parisian art of living! [Read more]
Discover Bagatelle Park, its rose garden and sublime gardens
The Parc de Bagatelle awaits you on the Bois de Boulogne side to let you enjoy its enchanting setting. From the Château de Bagatelle to the beautiful rose garden and vegetable patch, this is a magical garden where life is good. [Read more]
La Coulée Verte de Paris, the unusual and hidden walk from Bastille to Vincennes
Paris's Coulée Verte René-Dumont, formerly known as the Promenade Plantée, is a beautiful, little-known walk for Parisians, taking us on a verdant journey from the Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes over the Viaduc des Arts. It's an unusual and shady way to discover Paris, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. [Read more]
Parc Monceau, the romantic park in Paris
Parc Monceau, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful flower gardens in Paris, nestling between the 8th and 17th arrondissements, is a romantic haven of peace where ruins, artists' sculptures and lush vegetation stand side by side. We take you on a tour to discover its history and special features. [Read more]
The Jardin des Plantes' hidden Alpine garden, a nugget worth discovering
The Jardin des Plantes conceals a magnificent alpine garden. Located between the Grandes Serres and the Menagerie, this garden, which has no entrance doors, is accessible via a hidden underground passage. Here you can discover the rock gardens and wild mountain plants. It's a haven of peace to be (re)discovered all year round. [Read more]
The Jardin du Petit Palais, a hidden gem with terrace and café-restaurant
At the heart of the Petit Palais, which is freely accessible to all, all year round, lies an exotic, verdant garden. Like a veritable oasis, it's the ideal setting for a drink in the sun. There's a café-restaurant with a pleasant terrace and deckchairs set up around the peristyle. [Read more]
The Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil, an exotic haven of peace with plants from all over the world
For a moment of peace and quiet in the heart of Paris's 16th arrondissement, come and admire the magnificent species of plants from elsewhere, in the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil. Large greenhouses, palm trees and magnificent flowerbeds await you! [Read more]
The Grande Mosquée de Paris and its oriental garden
With its beautiful shaded patio, gardens and traditional decor, the Grande Mosquée de Paris is well worth an extended detour if you're in Paris's 5th arrondissement. [Read more]
The Japanese gardens of the Parc Floral de Paris in the Bois de Vincennes
The Parc Floral de Paris and its 35 hectares in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes is a mine of discoveries. Japanese-inspired, it features beautiful Zen gardens with bonsai trees, rhododendrons and water features. [Read more]
Parc Caillebotte, the large free landscaped park that inspired Gustave Caillebotte in Yerres (91)
Just 30 minutes from the Gare de Lyon railway station, on the Yerres side of the Essonne département, Maison Caillebotte is home to one of the region's most beautiful green spaces: Parc Caillebotte, the garden that inspired the famous Impressionist painter Gustave Caillebotte. [Read more]
Parc de la Légion d'Honneur, a green lung a stone's throw from the Stade de France, Saint-Denis (93)
Just a few minutes' walk from the famous Stade de France or the historic Basilica of Saint-Denis, the Parc de la Légion d'Honneur is a little-known green space, yet it offers a truly exotic stroll around Saint-Denis. [Read more]
Bois-Préau Park, a forest in the city, Rueil-Malmaison (92)
Just a few minutes' walk from the Château de Malmaison is a lovely park planted with trees: welcome to the Parc de Bois-Préau, Rueil's beautiful green space, where you'll feel like you're in a forest. [Read more]
Unusual in the Yvelines: the superb waterfall grotto at Parc du Dr Fauvel in Villennes-sur-Seine
Villennes-sur-Seine, a charming commune in the Yvelines department, is home to a little-known treasure: the waterfalls of the Parc Fauvel grotto. Located some 36 kilometers west of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, this small town near Poissy on the left bank of the Seine boasts a park that combines history and nature. The park, an example of English romanticism, features an unusual grotto and waterfalls. [Read more]
Le Jardin Yili, the unusual Chinese garden hidden away in the Yvelines
Jardin Yili is the only privately-owned traditional Chinese garden in France. Head for Saint-Rémy-l'Honoré in the Yvelines, about 33 km from Paris, for a change of scenery. Discover this 10,000 m² green space, imbued with spirituality and tranquility, where you can discover the art of Chinese gardens and immerse yourself in a feng shui setting inspired by age-old traditions. [Read more]
Rueil-Malmaison's superb Parc des Impressionnistes, inspired by Monet
The Parc des Impressionnistes in Rueil-Malmaison, located on the banks of the Seine opposite the Ile des Impressionnistes, is a sublime 1.2-hectare park that honors the color palettes of the Impressionists. Water, plants and flowers in abundance recall Claude Monet's garden at Giverny. [Read more]
The magnificent Japanese garden at Square Médéric in Colombes
Square Méréric, a pretty neighborhood park in Colombes, boasts a 3,800 m2 Japanese garden featuring bamboos, maples, pruned trees, azaleas and pagodas. It's the perfect place to get away from it all. [Read more]
The Japanese garden at Château de Courances: a bucolic and exotic stroll in the Paris region
The Japanese garden at Château de Courances is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens around Paris, and particularly so in France. Located in the fabulous Courances estate in Essonne, this Anglo-Japanese garden delights us with its exotic landscapes. [Read more]
The Albert Kahn Museum's superb Japanese garden and other gardens that take us on a journey
The Musée Albert Kahn, which has just reopened its doors, unveils sublime gardens that are a must-see. Conceived as a scenic garden, this 4-hectare space features a magnificent Japanese garden and village, an English garden, a French garden and forests and meadows. A complete change of scenery. [Read more]
Parc de Bécon: cherry blossoms, Palais des Indes and history
Discover the Parc de Bécon and its Palais des Indes, a site steeped in history that unveils its beautiful cherry blossom trees in spring. Head for Courbevoie to take advantage of an exceptional green space offering a beautiful view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. [Read more]
The Château and estate of Courances and its superb gardens
The Domaine et Château de Courances, located in the Gâtinais region of Essonne (91), is a wonderful place to discover. Classified as a Historic Monument and Remarkable Garden, this site welcomes you every weekend and public holiday from April to early November. We take you on a tour of this verdant haven of peace. [Read more]
Discovering Sonja's Gardens: A four-season Eden in Perray-en-Yvelines
Les Jardins de Sonja, a veritable botanical Eden in Le Perray-en-Yvelines, has been delighting garden lovers since 1980. Discover these sublime hidden gardens with their multiple settings, imagined by landscape designer Sonja Gauron. [Read more]
The secret Japanese garden at Aincourt in the Val d'Oise
Located in the Val d'Oise, the town of Aincourt hides a superb Japanese garden in the Parc de la Bucaille, close to the medical center. Take a closer look at this exotic, well-kept park, where tranquillity and zenitude reign supreme. [Read more]
The Roseraie de Provins, an enchanted garden near Paris
Looking for a haven of peace in the Paris region? We'll take you to the Roseraie de Provins, a bucolic getaway in a beautiful green setting. An addictive spot! [Read more]
A bucolic walk on the Impressionist Island in Chatou
A few stations away from Paris, by taking the RER A, make a stopover in the footsteps of the Impressionists in Chatou, for a pleasant stroll along the water. [Read more]
The Japanese garden at Parc Edmond de Rothschild in Boulogne
Head for Boulogne-Billancourt to discover the Japanese garden of the Parc de Boulogne, the park of the ruined Château Buchillot, once owned by Edmond de Rothschild. With its waterways, pine trees, maple trees and emblematic red bridges, it's a beautiful, soothing discovery to be made just outside Paris. [Read more]
The lovely Ichikawa Japanese Garden in Issy-les-Moulineaux
The Japanese Garden of ishikawa, just outside Paris, is the result of a partnership between the town of Issy-les-Moulineaux and the Japanese town of Ichikawa. They worked together to create the first truly traditional Japanese public garden in France. We're off to discover this Zen garden, ideal for meditation and relaxation. [Read more]
