Parcs de Paris

It should come as no surprise that we frequent parks on the daily. Paris has more than 421 parks covering approximately 7,400 acres throughout the city. The parks, formally known as Jardins (French for Gardens), are sprawling with green space, flowers, trees, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment and water features. They are a place to gather, celebrate, relax, and enjoy life to the fullest in the most beautiful scenery. We love our neighborhood parks and have a long list of parks to visit! 

First up, our beloved Jardins du Trocadero aka the after-school hangout. Jardin du Trocadero is right across the river from the Eiffel Tower. Palais de Chaillot (now museums) encloses the top of the garden and the aquarium is located to the right of the beautiful fountains lined down the middle of the park. It is a 5-minute walk from school and a 10-minute walk from our apartment. The playground is surrounded by beautiful gardens and two creeks. Ginny fell into one of the creeks within the first couple weeks of school. All we had for her to change into was a cardigan and some shorts. In true French fashion, all her friends took off their shirts to make her feel better and there were about ten kids running around the park half naked for the rest of the afternoon. It has one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower (in my opinion) and will hold the best memories for our family. 

Jardin Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt aka the Pirate Ship park. This neighborhood park in the 16th is one we were at almost every day when we first moved. It has a lovely green space surrounding the playground which included a huge sand pit and a pirate ship playset. Believe it or not, we have never taken the kids to the beach so the sandpit was a hit! Shoes were off immediately once we got to the park and their toes were in the sand before we could sit down. So much sand was brought back to our airbnb's. It is a good thing this park is a bit far from our apartment now. 

Square Henri Collet is the first park we visited the day we landed as we had a couple hours to kill before our Airbnb was ready. There is a beautiful water feature that the kids love to walk along and risk the possibility of falling in. They are obsessed with the old school blue turnstile roundabout. We have met so many friends on this turnstile. It is amazing how kids can naturally figure out how to play a game when they do not speak the same language. The garden here is beautiful when in bloom and one of my favorite cafe's, La Recepteur, is right across the street with the most delicious shrimp and watermelon summer salad. 

Bois de Boulogne is the second largest park in Paris encompassing just over 2,000 acres. While sketchy at night, it is a great place during the day. This park has everything from playgrounds to two amusement parks (Jardin d'Acclimation), a horse-racing track (Hippodrome Paris Longchamp), a camping site, the Louis Vuitton Foundation museum and several gardens, creeks and ponds with hike and bike trails. We went to a birthday party within one of the amusement parks and had a blast! There is so much to do it takes weeks to see it all!

Champ de Mars is your ideal spot to have a picnic with a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower. The long green space is bordered with trees and people trying to sell you mini Eiffel Towers or champagne for your picnic. Although a very touristy spot, you'll still see locals out there for doggie playdates! The stunning glass fronted Grand Plais Ephemere entertainment venue anchors the other end of the park perfectly.  

Jardin du Ranelagh is located on the edge of the 16th just north of our first Airbnb and next to the Bois de Boulogne. The park has large green spaces, water features, several playgrounds, pendulum boat swings (that cost a little over 1 Euro to use), an old school merry-go-round with metal horses hanging from open bars, pony rides and a splash pad. The Monet Museum is just outside the park grounds. We missed the use of the splash pad by a couple weeks but we will definitely use it come June!

Parc de Passy aka the firetruck park is perfect for Warren! This hidden gem has a wonderful garden when in bloom and the most adorable themed firetruck playground for kids. Warren loves the firetruck while Charlotte and Ginny love guarding the fire station and exiting by swirling down the firepole. We are about to spend alot of time at this park while Jardin du Trocadero is closed for upgrades.   

Jardin des Tuileries, anchored by the Louvre, is one of my favorites. The trees are stunning, especially in the fall. The ponds and fountains are so tranquil and the park is littered with amazing art and sculptures. The playground has a really fun rope obstacle course and large balance disc that the kids can't quite master just yet. There is a trampoline park, a carousel, sailboats to rent and every now and then a Ferris wheel!  

Jardin des Plantes is stacked with so many things to do and see. The 58 acre park includes a beautiful sprawling garden with over 2,500 species including a Labyrinth along with the National Museum of Natural History, the Gallery of Evolution, a botanical school, a tropical rainforest greenhouse and a Zoo!! So far, we've been to the Gallery of Evolution. It's five stories of interactive fun in one of the most beautiful buildings!

Jardin du Luxembourg has something for everyone. There is so much to do whether it is exploring the museum, admiring the Statue of Liberty (much smaller than NYC), strolling through the tree-lined promenades or lounging on the lawns and/or chairs circled around the octagonal Grand Bassin. You will see the locals participating in a work out class, competing in a game on the tennis courts or jogging through the park on their daily run. There is so much for kids too! Children are playing in the sand boxes, riding ponies through the park, chasing sailboats in the Grand Bassin, hopping on the carousel for one more roundabout and living their best life repeating the obstacle course or zip line in one of the best playgrounds we have been to so far. You must pay to get into the park but it's well worth the money!