Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Back to the parks, I know. But did you know that such a place even existed in our favorite city?

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont was once the site of a gypsum quarry and was designated a park in the 1860's. Meandering paths, waterfalls, caves and a bridge, cheerfully named Pont des Suicides, are all features of the park.

Place des Vosges

For a visit to the oldest square in Paris, visit the Place des Vosges, built by Henry IV form 1605 to 1612. A true square, it embodied the first European idea of royal city planning.

French novelist lived in n° 6 when the building was the Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée from 1832-48.

Les Jardins de Paris: Jardin du Luxembourg

For the new Parisian import, the Jardin du Luxembourg, (nicknamed Luco by the locals) is the best place to soak up the French way of life.

Located in the Latin Quarter, the park features attractions for the kiddies, art exhibited on the wrought iron fences, and a chance to try your hand at boules (a French game similar to bocce).

Les Jardins de Paris: Parc de la Bagatelle

The Parc de la Bagatelle is probably Paris' loveliest park, known for its flower and thematic gardens. A water lily pond pays homage to French painter Monet, and a chateau and orangerie feature Chopin concerts in the summer. The rose garden is the park's most visited spot with 10,000 roses of 1,200 different varieties blooming in June.

Les Jardins de Paris: Parc de la Villette

Parc de la Villette is certainly Paris' most interesting garden attraction. The park features a series of themed gardens, such as an exotic bamboo garden or one displaying stream and water jets. There are playgrounds scattered about among other attractions.

If you've been to the Cité des Sciences et l’Industrie museum, Parc de la Villette is a must-see.

Les Jardins de Paris: Parc de Belleville

Located on a hill with stunning views of the western part of the city (including the la Tour d'Eiffel), Parc de Belleville features rock formations and grottos left over from when the hill was a strategic point for fighting Attila the Hun. There's also a museum, fountains, a play area and open-air theater for concerts in the summer.

Les Jardins de Paris: Parc Monceau

Parc Monceau, in the upscale 8th arrondissement, is different from other Parisian parks because of its "English style". Unlike the formal lines characteristic of the French park, Parc Monceau features winding paths and randomly placed statues.

It was also one of Marcel Proust's favorite haunts. Here, he strolled among bridges, waterfalls, a windmill, medieval ruins and Paris' largest tree, an Oriental plane.

Les Jardins de Paris: Tuileries

In honor of spring, a series of entries dedicated to the beautiful les jardins de Paris.

The garden of Tuileries is situated in the center of Paris in the 1st arrondissement between the Louvre and Concorde Square. The garden is surrounded by walls and has many shade trees, benches and quiet corners to rest your weary feet.