Parks, gardens and fountains: green Paris
No fewer than 450 parks and gardens make up the green heritage of Paris
The French capital is known for its urban spaces, but it also has 450 parks and gardens spread over an area of more than 500 hectares that contribute to the city’s biodiversity. With around 100 gardens and 15 parks, Paris offers a vast choice of green spaces!
The oldest of the French-style gardens in the city is the Jardin des Tuileries extending from the Louvre to Place de la Concorde. The Jardin des Plantes in the grounds of the natural history museum has thousands of plants and flowers and four hothouses within a 23-hectare botanical garden. Another popular Paris garden is the Jardin du Luxembourg with 106 statues and three fountains; it is a haven of peace in the busy Latin Quarter.
As for parks, the Buttes-Chaumont park in eastern Paris offers a variety of landscapes for people wanting a nature break in the midst of the city. Then there is the Parc Monceau, a very romantic spot.
Paris’s green heritage comprises many beautiful fountains including classic fountains like the Fontaine des Innocents in LesHalles and more contemporary creations such as the Stravinsky Fountain next to the Pompidou Centre, designed by Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle. And then of course there are Wallace fountains, an iconic part of the Paris cityscape.
