Spring is a wonderful season to travel to Paris. It’s an especially opportune time to visit some of the beautiful parks and gardens that dot the city. Trees and flowers alike bloom in bright colors. The iconic Parisian garden chairs and benches suddenly become even more irresistible. Read on to discover French Side Travel’s list of the essential Parisian parks and gardens to see during the spring.
Spring in Paris: Beautiful Parks and Gardens to Visit
Jardin des Tuileries
No matter what time of year, the Jardin des Tuileries is a lively place to be. Located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, you’ll usually find a steady stream of people enjoying a quiet moment. During springtime, the Tuileries are especially beautiful with pink magnolia and Judas trees that bloom from late February through April. The flower beds are also unique in the Jardin des Tuileries. Each season the gardeners take their inspiration from an upcoming exhibit at the Musée du Louvre. Visitors can enjoy several restaurants and cafés, a lively carrousel for children, and museums like the Jeu de Paume and Musée de l’Orangerie. The Musée de l’Orangerie houses Monet’s large-scale water lilies.
Where to Stay in Paris
Hôtel Brighton
Built-in the 19th century by Lord Egerton, this 4-star hotel was one of the first hotels in Paris. The hotel is located in the heart of Paris and offers a sublime view of the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. French Side Travel’s favorite rooms are those with a view of Paris.
The individually decorated rooms come with antique furniture and exude an elegant and refined Parisian charm.
The traditional marble columns in the bar make it an ideal setting to enjoy a cocktail. Every day, guests will enjoy a hot and cold buffet with the very best French products in the breakfast room. Upon request, the hotel also serves a continental breakfast to the room.
Jardin du Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg is beloved by Parisians and visitors alike. This haven of green is nestled in the Left Bank on the border of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. It was inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence. Highlights include the recently cleaned and renovated Medici fountain, the pond in the center where people rent miniature wooden sailboats, and numerous areas for games including chess and pétanque. Perhaps the most popular thing to do in the Jardin du Luxembourg is to grab a green Luxembourg chair and find a place in the shade or the sun to enjoy the surroundings.
Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes began in 1640 as a place for the King of France’s doctor to grow medicinal herbs. Today the garden contains numerous sections worth visiting. Places that families won’t want to miss include the National Museum of Natural History and the Ménagerie, inaugurated in 1794 and among the oldest zoos in the world. There are fabulous French gardens with beautiful trees, including a 315-year-old pistachio tree and lovely cherry blossoms that bloom in the spring. Garden fanatics and romantics alike will want to stroll through the rose garden with over 170 types of European roses.
Jardin du Palais-Royal
Many visitors skip the Jardin du Palais-Royal, simply because they don’t know about it. Just a stone’s throw from the Louvre, Palais Royal was the home of royal families until Versailles was built. Although small, the garden is a lovely picturesque spot to stop in Paris. The hot pink magnolia trees are among the first to bloom at the end of February, making it an essential stop on the list of beautiful gardens to visit during spring in Paris. Great shops, restaurants, and cafés line the arcades around the garden, including Le Véfour, one of our favorite classic retaurants in Paris.
Parc Monceau
Another lesser-known garden gem is Parc Monceau in the 8th arrondissement. This elegant park is surrounded by stately wrought iron gates and some of the most prestigious private mansions in Paris. One of these historic homes is Musée du Nissim-Camondo, an impressive decorative arts museum. The lush green park is a favorite escape of Parisians and is recognizable by the lovely bridge and Renaissance archway.
Buttes-Chaumont
For being one of the largest parks in Paris, Buttes-Chaumont is still relatively unknown to visitors. Built on former quarries, there are numerous hills and changes in elevation that aren’t typical in Paris. Buttes-Chaumont is picturesque throughout with a lake, waterfalls, and a suspended bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. The best views are from the Temple de la Sybille at the very top where you can see Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur. Buttes-Chaumont is a romantic and unexpected beautiful park to visit during spring in Paris.
Bois de Boulogne
The Bois de Boulogne on the west side of Paris is the largest park in Paris. In fact, it’s made up of several different parks and gardens including the Parc de Bagatelle, the Pré-Catelan, and Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil. There is something for everyone including biking and walking trails, small paddle boats to rent, and a theme park within the Jardin d’Acclimatation. The Fondation Louis Vuitton is also located in the Bois de Boulogne with wonderful temporary exhibits and interesting perspectives on Paris from the Frank Gehry-designed building. The Bois de Boulogne is a popular destination for families, especially on the weekends.
Where to Stay in Paris
Saint James Paris
A few steps from the Bois de Boulogne and Champs-Élysées, this 5-star hotel is set in a 100-year old château and surrounded by a large private garden, offering a unique experience of grandeur and intimacy.
The property dazzles with perfectly appointed rooms and suites decorated by famed interior designer Laura Gonzalez. The gourmet restaurant Bellefeuille features foods of diverse and intense flavors with a focus on nature and seafood. The newly designed gardens include a lovely pergola for outdoor dining. The Guerlain spa offers single and double treatment rooms, a fitness and a well-being area with swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room.
Staying at the Saint James Paris is a rare opportunity to experience château life in the heart of the French capital.
Bois de Vincennes
After the Bois de Boulogne, the Bois de Vincennes on the east side of Paris is the second largest park in the French capital. Families love visiting the Parc Zoologique de Paris, known as the Vincennes Zoo. The medieval Château de Vincennes is also a highlight for visitors and is open daily. There is something for everyone to enjoy including boating, trails for biking, walking, and running, a horse racecourse and more.
We hope this list the most beautiful parks and gardens will help inspire a spring trip to Paris. We would love to help you plan a dream trip to France in the coming year with a custom itinerary. Some of our favorite destinations in France include Bordeaux, the South of France, Normandy, and Paris. Get in touch with a travel designer today to start the planning process!