If you’ve ever found yourself in Paris on a sunny afternoon wondering where all the Parisians disappear to—it’s here, in the parks and gardens. Tucked between boulevards, behind grand museums, and even perched above old train lines, the city’s green spaces are part escape hatch, part open-air living room.

After more than 20 years of wandering this city—here’s my pick of the 25 best parks in Paris—each one free, worth your time, and a little window into how this city breathes.

Jardin du Luxembourg

It’s hard not to fall for Luxembourg Gardens. Locals read, children sail boats on the pond, and chairs somehow always find just the right spot in the sun. I’ve lost track of how many lunches I’ve lingered over here. If you’re after a dose of calm with a side of elegance, this place delivers—no admission, no fuss. It’s also a lovely romantic spot in Paris for couples.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

You wouldn’t expect a rugged cliffside park in the middle of Paris, but here we are. Buttes-Chaumont has drama—steep bridges, grottos, and that bizarre temple perched like it’s auditioning for a Wes Anderson film. It’s a workout to climb, but the views from the top? Worth every step. It’s also one of the few parks where people actually lie on the grass. Respect.

Jardin des Tuileries

Sitting between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries are as Parisian as croissants. While it can get busy, I’ve always found a bench with a view. Bring a pastry, face the fountain, and let the tourists whirl past. It’s a classic people-watching arena. And don’t miss the tucked-away sculpture gardens—they’re oddly calming. One of the best free things to do in Paris.

Parc Monceau

This one feels like it was plucked from a novel. Arched bridges, Roman columns, and wealthy locals in designer sneakers walking tiny dogs. It’s fancy but friendly. I love ducking in here between meetings nearby. Feels indulgent in the best way. Great for a quiet stroll—or plotting your future Paris life.

Place des Vosges

The symmetry! The arcades! The sense that you’ve stepped into a period film! It’s where Parisians come to breathe, read, kiss, and argue in hushed tones. I’ve sat under those trees in every season and still smile every time. It’s timeless.

Jardin du Palais Royal

Tucked behind the Comédie-Française, the Palais Royal gardens are easy to miss—and that’s half the charm. The striped Colonnes de Buren columns out front get all the attention, but wander deeper—you’ll find quiet benches, blooming roses, and that soft crunch of gravel underfoot.

Parc de la Villette

This park doesn’t fit the postcard version of Paris—and that’s the point. Out in the northeast, Parc de la Villette is bold and modern, with science museums, open-air concerts, and bright red structures that look like giant LEGO pieces.

Bois de Vincennes

It’s big. Like, big big. Bois de Vincennes is where Parisians go to lose the city—and sometimes their sense of direction. There are lakes to paddle across, a medieval castle to explore, and even a zoo. I once walked for an hour and still hadn’t crossed it all. It’s the kind of place where you can picnic under a willow tree and not hear a single car horn. That alone is reason enough.

Bois de Boulogne

Bois de Boulogne has a bit of a split personality. On one hand, it’s lush and peaceful, perfect for long walks, lazy picnics, or boat rides on Lac Inférieur. On the other—well, let’s say it’s less wholesome after dark. Stick to daytime visits, and you’ll find everything from pony rides to Monet-like water scenes. The Fondation Louis Vuitton sits just inside too, if you fancy some modern art with your trees.

Parc Montsouris

Montsouris is what I think of as a “Sunday afternoon” park. Big grassy slopes, a lake full of ducks, and the gentle whirr of Paris RER trains nearby. It’s not flashy, and that’s what makes it special. Locals nap on the lawns, students sketch the trees, and if you’re lucky, there’s a brass band playing under the gazebo. I once lost an afternoon here doing absolutely nothing. Zero regrets.

Jardin des Plantes

Part botanical wonderland, part living museum. Jardin des Plantes has a rhythm all its own. The greenhouses feel like stepping into a storybook—especially when it’s raining outside. It’s a place that teaches you to slow down and look closely.

Coulée Verte René-Dumont

Before New York had the High Line, Paris had the Coulée Verte. It’s a lush, elevated walkway built over old train tracks that floats above the 12th arrondissement. I’ve walked this stretch dozens of times—each season brings something new. One moment you’re strolling past rose bushes, the next you’re peeking into someone’s apartment. Paris feels oddly intimate from up here.

Parc André Citroën

You’d never guess this space used to be a car factory. Now it’s all reflective pools, wide lawns, and garden “rooms” divided by color and scent. It’s the kind of place where architecture and nature shake hands. Modern, but surprisingly soothing.

Parc de Belleville

Climb to the top and catch your breath—you’ll need it. The view stretches across rooftops to the Eiffel Tower, especially dazzling at sunset. Belleville has a gritty charm. The terraced layout, murals, and vines growing wherever they please make it feel less polished, more lived-in. I used to come here to write. There’s something about it that gets the ideas flowing.

Jardin du Ranelagh

This is the park where Parisian nannies bring children to watch puppet shows, and where retirees nap under chestnut trees. It’s calm, simple, and feels untouched by the tourist tide. Nothing grand. But that’s the charm. Like stumbling into a scene from an old French film.

Square du Vert-Galant

Right at the tip of Île de la Cité, this tiny, leaf-shaped park floats like a quiet thought in the middle of the Seine. You feel suspended—boats gliding by on either side, the city humming above, and you… blissfully below it all.

Jardin Anne-Frank

You wouldn’t find it unless someone told you about it. So consider this your tip-off. Behind an unassuming gate in the Marais, this small garden feels like a pause button in the middle of the day. There’s a playground, vines along the walls, and a quiet that’s oddly touching.

Parc Clichy-Batignolles – Martin Luther King

This park wears its modern face with pride. Solar panels, stormwater collectors, and wild patches of prairie-like grass. A far cry from the manicured French formality you’ll find elsewhere. And yet, on warm evenings, it buzzes. Families, teens on skateboards, people walking dogs.

Jardin Catherine-Labouré

This place feels like stepping into someone’s backyard. Neatly hedged, vine-covered, and dotted with vegetable plots, it’s part of an old convent garden. It’s not flashy, but it feels good. Like somewhere your grandmother might’ve grown tomatoes. Not many tourists here—just calm, old-school charm.

Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil

Tropical palms in Paris? Yes, and they’re housed in 19th-century glasshouses so beautiful you might forget what you came for. I’m always struck by how quiet it is—like the plants are whispering. You can wander through cacti, orchids, and cycads as if you’ve landed in a botanical daydream. Great rainy day plan, too.

Parc Floral de Pari

Tucked inside the Bois de Vincennes, Parc Floral is like walking into a postcard you didn’t expect. Orchids, bonsai trees, peacocks wandering as if they own the place—it’s one of those spots where kids run wild and grown-ups exhale. I’ve spent entire afternoons here just wandering from one bloom to the next. Especially lovely in spring and early fall.

Parc de Bercy

There’s something delightfully unexpected about Parc de Bercy. You pass sleek modern buildings, then suddenly—vines, hidden paths, and a vineyard? Yes, an actual vineyard in the middle of Paris. You’ll find quiet corners and oddly romantic footbridges. Underrated and oddly poetic.

Parc Georges Brassens

Once a slaughterhouse, now a park filled with flowers, beehives, and weekend book fairs. Classic Paris reinvention. It’s not the biggest park, but it feels honest—neighborhood dogs roam off-leash, and regulars chat near the vines.

Jardins des Champs-Élysées

Most people breeze past these tree-lined gardens en route to the Arc de Triomphe. Big mistake. These elegant stretches are where you catch your breath between the bustle. Statues tucked in hedges, fountains that gurgle like lullabies, and a few shaded benches that have saved me from sore feet more than once. You won’t be alone here—but it still feels calm.

Parc Rives de Sein

This riverbank promenade is what Parisians had been dreaming of for years—and now it’s real. No cars, just pathways, lounge chairs, floating gardens, and Parisians doing absolutely nothing in style. Free, easy, and undeniably Paris.