Parks and gardens in Paris Region: a treat for all your senses!

Gardens of Paris Region: open your eyes

In front of the Esplanade of the Grande Cascade in the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud there is plenty to amaze you. Stroll along this wide prospect walk to discover the different terraces of the Jardin de l'Impératrice with its fountains, its forest, and its panoramic view over Paris.

If you love surprises head to the south of Paris, to the Domaine de Chamarande, a natural site that combines a heritage landscape with cutting-edgecontemporary artistic creation.

Rise to the occasion in the Ballon de Paris in Parc André Citroën to enjoy a breath of fresh air and an unbeatable view over the city. Paris is at your feet!

In the Parc Floral, in the Bois de Vincennes, follow a trail retracing the evolution of flora in the Paris Region through 600 different plant species

Fans of French-style formal gardens will already be familiar with Versailles, but why not explore some of André Le Nôtre’s other masterpieces in the south of the region? In the gardens of Fontainebleau admire the sculptures, pools, fountains, and the façade of the Château reflected in the ornamental lake. At the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, delight in the delicate embroidery-like flowerbeds before losing yourself in the horizon as you admire the 3 km of gardens before you. During the summer, the garden and château are illuminated with thousands of candles. Unforgettable!

Through several garden scenes inspired by different countries, each engaged in a dialogue with the others, the Jardin d’Albert Kahn projects an image of peace. Take the time to stroll through the shady alleys of this multiple garden that changes with the seasons. Travel in one visit from the Vosges forest to the Atlas region via Japan. Escape guaranteed.

Gardens of Paris Region: admire the most beautiful of plants

Enter the Kitchen garden of Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard and breathe the scents of fragrant flowers that surround each vegetable plot. Explore the medicinal plant walk, where lemon balm releases its odorous scent and, in the right season, the orchard’s arcades are covered in old roses that intoxicate with their perfume.

At the Conservatoire National des Plantes de Milly-la-Forêt , wander among a variety of plant collections and bend down to smell fragrant, medicinal, and aromatic species. Here you can also learn how to make an aromatic syrup or a natural skin cream. Don’t forget to stop by the shop to take home a few plants of your own.

And in the Jardin des 5 Sens de Pontoise, breathe in! Mint, Tibetan cherry, sage, philadelphus… Each species has been chosen for its scent and its flowering cycle, so the garden is lovely in all seasons, even in winter.

Gardens of Paris Region: listen to the sounds of nature

The Jardin des 9 carrés (garden of the nine squares) at the Abbaye de Royaumont inspired by medieval simple gardens welcomes a new plant exhibition every three years and invites you to explore its scenery, savour its heady aromas and listen to nature. Under the trees of the orchard, take time for a flowering break.

And if you are looking for calm and tranquillity, the Parc de l’Ile Saint-Germain near Paris is the perfect place to relax – with just the sound of the bees foraging, and the frogs croaking near the biodiversity pond. Children, meanwhile, can try the musical games in the playground.

Wander along the pathways of the Jardin des Plantes listening to the great tits warbling. Lose yourself in the maze, where the cry of seagulls reminds you that the Seine is not far away.

And at the arboretum de la Vallée-aux-Loups, walk among the century-old trees and listen to the soft sound of the wind in the leaves while the children take part in a nature workshop.

Gardens of Paris Region: visits to savour

Fresh and delicious produce is cultivated on the 2.8 hectares of the Domaine de Courances. This is a great place to have tea from April to November, in the old mill overlooking the Japanese garden.

Another place for food-lovers to discover is the historic kitchen garden that supplied the royal table of Louis XIV. Le Potager du Roi at Versailles grows a large selection of fruit and vegetables that you will also find in the shop, at the entrance to the garden.

At the Roseraie de Provins, discover history through the rose with its 300 varieties, colours, shapes, scent and even flavours.The Provins rose is a symbol of the town, that has long been associated with creativity for the palate, with its rose confit, sweets, honey and crystallised fruits.

Gardens of Paris Region: touch, garden, learn…

In the Parc de la Villette, a suite of 12 thematic gardens linked by footbridges offer spaces for play, experimentation, or lounging… In the Jardin des Vents et des Dunes, children pedal to make windmills turn. They can climb in the Jardin des Voltiges, and learn about biodiversity at a workshop in the Jardins Passagers.

In the Domaine de Port Royal des Champs, the historic Granges orchard has been replanted in its 17th-century form. There is a large variety of fruit trees – apples, pears, figs peaches, plums and more – which deliver up their secrets during horticultural workshops.