5 Beautiful Secret Gardens to Discover in Paris
When you think of big cities like Paris, green spaces aren’t always the first things that come to mind. But the City of Light is full of plenty of beautiful gardens and parks, like the Jardin des Plantes (Garden of the Plants in English) or the Luxembourg Gardens, not to mention all of the formal gardens at many of the palaces around the area.
If the idea of exploring the city’s natural side is appealing, consider taking your adventures one step further by visiting some of these “secret” Paris gardens. While they’re not unknown to all, they are off the beaten path and provide the opportunity to see more of the French capital that might not be in a guide book.
Photo: Yannick Labrousse
The terrace at the Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
Designed by landscape architect Louis Benech, this dreamy oasis features climbing ivy and pruned boxwood. You’ll find it at Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, a former Hermès family property turned boutique hotel. Among many beautiful on-site spaces—like the Très Particulier, a cocktail bar with vermilion armchairs and a checkered floor, or the Grand Salon washed in a collage of powdery tones—the private terrace is not to be missed.
These secluded gardens in Paris are the perfect places to spend a sunny afternoon. Photo: Bruno DE HOGUES/Getty Images
Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur
This public garden sits hidden among the façades of nearby buildings and is a little-known secret to many tourists of the area. Because of it’s secluded location, it’s not the kind of place you just stumble on to, making it the perfect hideaway to enjoy a book or small picnic.
