Parc des Buttes Chaumont

One of Paris' most picturesque picnic spots, the tree-lined Parc des Buttes Chaumont was commissioned by Napoleon III back in 1867, adding a welcome splash of greenery to the bleary residential streets of Paris' 19th arrondissement. The park’s 25 hectares rise and fall over a series of hills, pocked with hidden caves, vibrant flower displays and gurgling streams. One of the largest parks in the city, Parc des Buttes Chaumont offers around 5 km of walking and cycling tracks, blazing a trail between attractions like the Chinese and English-style gardens and an atmospheric grotto housing a 20-meter waterfall. The majestic Temple of Sybil (Belvedere Sybil), a Greco-Roman homage to the Temple of the Sibyl in Tivoli, is the striking centerpiece of the park, perched on a 30-meter grassy pedestal in the center of the park’s lake. Visitors can visit the island via a 63-meter long suspension bridge, from where the views stretch over the park and its surroundings.

Those spending an afternoon in the park, will find plenty to keep them amused -- the space hosts three restaurants, two Guignol theaters where traditional marionette shows are held, a number of well-equipped children’s playgrounds and children’s pony rides throughout the summer months. And if you ever tire of all the natural scenery, don’t worry -- the park even has free wifi zones.

Practical Info

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is located in the northeast section of Paris in the 19th arrondissement.