The most beautiful green spaces in Paris: our selection

Paris is about more than just its museums and monuments. The capital is full of parks, gardens, and green corners where you can take a breath. Here is a selection of the most beautiful Parisian green spaces to explore, from the 17th arrondissement to every corner of the City of Light.

The 17th and its surroundings: nature at your fingertips

The neighborhood around Hotel Elsa holds some lovely surprises for nature lovers. Just a few minutes' walk away, several green spaces in the 17th arrondissement offer a chance to get some fresh air without going far.

Square des Batignolles: a haven of peace in the heart of the 17th

Square des Batignolles, laid out in the 19th century at the initiative of Baron Haussmann, offers a gentle and soothing atmosphere. Its shaded paths, fountains, and small lake make it an ideal spot for a refreshing break after a busy day. It features numerous amenities and the perfect setting for a lovely stroll:

• An artificial lake surrounded by lush vegetation
• Playgrounds for families
• A calm atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of the main boulevards

Martin Luther King Park: modernity and community

Opened in 2007 in the Batignolles district, Martin Luther King Park embodies a resolutely contemporary landscape design. Spanning nearly 6 hectares, it offers distinct areas, including flower gardens, open meadows, and wooded zones. It is a lively hub, popular with both families and local joggers.

The Coulée Verte René-Dumont: Paris from a different perspective

A former railway line converted into a linear park, the Coulée Verte René-Dumont is one of Paris's botanical curiosities. It stretches for several kilometers between the 12th and 11th arrondissements, passing above the rooftops and streets. This unique elevated walkway offers unusual views of the city and vegetation that changes with the seasons.

Whether on foot or by bike, the Coulée Verte provides a green escape unlike anything else in the capital.

The classics: must-see spots

Beyond the immediate vicinity of Hotel Elsa, Paris offers an exceptional range of green spaces. Here are the most iconic ones to explore during your stay.

Jardin du Luxembourg: the Parisian garden

Created at the initiative of Marie de' Medici in the 17th century, the Jardin du Luxembourg is arguably the most beloved by Parisians. Located in the 6th arrondissement, it covers nearly 23 hectares and welcomes thousands of visitors every day. You will find sculptures, statues, playgrounds, as well as the famous orangery and a meticulously maintained English garden.

Its green chairs, scattered freely around the central basin, give the place a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. A must-visit for a picnic or a simple stroll.

Jardin des Tuileries: history and prestige

Designed by André Le Nôtre in the 17th century, the Tuileries Garden stretches majestically between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde. This formal French garden, with its straight paths, ponds, and sculptures, embodies classic Parisian elegance.

Maillol’s statues, displayed in the open air near the Orangerie, add an artistic dimension to this stroll. It is a space open to everyone, free of charge, and beautifully situated in the heart of the capital.

The Palais-Royal: the secret garden in the center of Paris

Less well-known to tourists, the Palais-Royal Garden is nonetheless one of the most charming in the city. Formerly the property of the Duke of Chartres, this garden sheltered by the Palais-Royal galleries offers a quiet, almost intimate atmosphere right in the middle of Paris.

Its arcades, antique shops, and fountains make it a timeless spot, perfect for a detour at the end of the day.

Exceptional parks: nature on a grand scale

Paris is also home to several large parks that are well worth the trip. Perfect for those who love long walks, the outdoors, and nature activities, they serve as true green lungs to be explored to your heart's content.

The Bois de Boulogne: the forest on the west side of Paris

Located on the border of the 16th and 17th arrondissements and easily accessible from Hotel Elsa, the Bois de Boulogne is one of Paris's two great green lungs. Spanning 846 hectares, this forest-like woodland is home to lakes, bike paths, picnic areas, and several major cultural sites.

Among them, the Jardin d’Acclimatation delights families with its many attractions. The Fondation Louis Vuitton, nestled in the heart of the woods, draws contemporary art lovers with its renowned exhibitions. And for botany enthusiasts, the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil and its large tropical greenhouses offer a true exotic escape in the heart of Paris.

Finally, the Parc de Bagatelle, a listed historic monument, attracts thousands of visitors every year thanks to its exceptional rose garden, botanical garden, and meticulous landscape architecture.

The Bois de Vincennes: the forest to the east

On the opposite side of the city from the Bois de Boulogne, the Bois de Vincennes (12th arrondissement) offers an equally generous natural space. At 995 hectares, it is the largest park in Paris. It features the Parc Floral de Paris, which is particularly vibrant in the spring, as well as the Vincennes Zoo, renowned for its commitment to biodiversity.

The woods are just as well-suited for long family walks as they are for sports or cultural outings.

Themed parks and gardens: unique discoveries

Beyond the major classics, Paris is full of hidden gardens and themed green spaces that are worth a visit. From botany to culture and history, every neighborhood has its own botanical treasures to offer.

The Jardin des Plantes: where science meets beauty

Founded in the 17th century, the Jardin des Plantes (5th arrondissement) is an exceptional botanical garden. It houses several natural history museums, an Alpine garden specializing in mountain plants, and a natural garden dedicated to wild species. The menagerie, one of the oldest zoos in the world, completes the experience with a rich animal collection.

A place that is both educational and poetic, ideal for an original outing off the beaten tourist path.

Parc Monceau: the botanical aristocracy of the 8th arrondissement

Just a few minutes' walk from Hotel Elsa, Parc Monceau (8th arrondissement) is one of the most elegant parks in Paris. Designed in the late 18th century in an Anglo-Chinese style, it blends sculptures, a colonnade, a rotunda, and meticulously manicured lawns. A refined space that appeals to both local residents and visitors in search of tranquility.

Parc de la Villette: culture and nature in the north of Paris

In the 19th arrondissement, Parc de la Villette offers a radically different take on Parisian green spaces. Designed with a resolutely contemporary landscape approach, this 55-hectare park stands out for its red pavilions, vast lawns, and numerous cultural activities. Located along the Canal Saint-Martin, it hosts concerts, festivals, and performances throughout the year.

Buttes-Chaumont: the most romantic park in Paris

Developed under Napoleon III in the 19th arrondissement, the Buttes-Chaumont park always surprises with its rugged terrain and almost wild landscapes. Its lake, cliffs, suspension bridge, and temple perched on an islet make it one of the most spectacular and romantic green spaces in the capital. A perfect spot for a moment together, ideal for couples looking for a stroll off the beaten path.

Parc de Bercy: nature and heritage in the 12th. Less well-known than its neighbors, Parc de Bercy (12th arrondissement) is well worth a visit. A former wine storage site, it was completely reimagined in the 1990s with a landscape design that blends romantic gardens, Parisian vineyards, and open lawns. Its paved paths and restored wine warehouses give it a unique industrial and botanical charm. A great alternative to the larger parks for those seeking authenticity and calm.

A few other spots not to be missed

Paris has many other parks and gardens that deserve a mention. Here are a few to complete your exploration of the City of Light:

• Parc Montsouris (14th), romantic and peaceful, with its lake and flowered lawns
• Parc de Belleville (20th), which offers an exceptional panorama of the rooftops of Paris
• Parc André Citroën (15th), with its bold landscape architecture, large glass greenhouses, and themed gardens in varied colors
• Parc Georges Brassens (15th), a former slaughterhouse converted into a green space, with a unique industrial and botanical charm

The Jardin Atlantique (15th), suspended above the Montparnasse train station, is also one of the city's most unusual hidden gardens.

During heatwaves, all these spaces also offer shaded, verdant refuges to recharge.

Whether you want to stroll through Parc Monceau, explore the Bois de Boulogne, or head to the Jardin du Luxembourg, Hotel Elsa puts you at the heart of a Paris that is easy to explore. A stone's throw from the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées, and Porte Maillot, the hotel enjoys an ideal location for getting around the capital on foot, by metro, or by bike. Book your stay now and discover all the most beautiful green spaces in Paris!