Garden ile de france guide

In Val-d'Oise, this estate hides two castles and free activities year-round.

The Villarceaux estate, open to the public free of charge in Chaussy, Val d'Oise (95), houses two classified châteaux set in a 70-hectare park and offers, through November 2026, a program of free activities: concerts, night-time strolls, performances and nature. We went to explore the site and here’s everything.

This Pompadour-era château in the Yvelines hides a superb estate and a Japanese garden.

Few people know the Château de La Celle-Saint-Cloud, in Yvelines, which hosts a 23-hectare estate featuring a Japanese garden, contemporary sculptures, and a classified park. For Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2026, we headed out to discover this hidden historical treasure that’s well worth a stroll.

La Roseraie du Val-de-Marne in L’Haÿ-les-Roses, the world’s first rose garden in full bloom

Seeking the loveliest rose garden near Paris? We’re taking you to L'Haÿ-les-Roses in Val-de-Marne to discover the world’s first rose garden, founded in 1894. Part plant-collection conservatory, part Jardin Remarquable, this rose garden, open from April to September, is sure to dazzle you.

This hidden garden in the Île-de-France region conceals more than 1,500 plants with astonishing powers.

In the heart of the French Gâtinais, an extraordinary garden invites visitors to rediscover the power of plants. In Milly-la-Forêt, the National Conservatory of Perfume, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants offers a unique sensory immersion into botanical secrets and ancestral know-how.

Yvelines: a park designated as a natural site and its historic island cloaked in wisteria

In the Yvelines, just a short stroll from the RER A, the Parc des Ibis du Vésinet reveals, in late April to early May 2026, its Chinese wisterias in full bloom around a large lake designated a natural site since 1934. We went to explore it, and it’s a true feast for the eyes and a perfect place to recharge.

Essonne: a château with remarkable gardens you absolutely must discover to go green

The Domaine de Courson, a château classified as a Historic Monument and a park labelled Jardin Remarquable in Courson-Monteloup, Essonne, opens its doors to visitors until November 1. Now is the time to discover its sublime green spaces and, perhaps, delve into the castle’s history through a guided tour.

Le Jardin Yili, the unusual Chinese garden hidden away in the Yvelines

Jardin Yili is the only privately-owned traditional Chinese garden in France. Head for Saint-Rémy-l'Honoré in the Yvelines, about 33 km from Paris, for a change of scenery. Discover this 10,000 m² green space, imbued with spirituality and tranquility, where you can discover the art of Chinese gardens and immerse yourself in a feng shui setting inspired by age-old traditions.

Seine-et-Marne: this Royal Garden, listed as a Remarkable Garden, unfolds its sublime rhododendrons with free admission

In Seine-et-Marne, the gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau are in full bloom this spring 2026, showcasing their rhododendron beds. A 130-hectare royal park, listed as a Remarkable Garden, free to enter—you can run, you can dash around (and you can picnic).

The Château de Vaux le Vicomte and its gardens, a fabulous estate in Seine-et-Marne

The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, 50 km from Paris, is one of the jewels of the Île-de-France region: its beauty even inspired the Château de Versailles. Come and visit this French heritage treasure, and its gardens, which offer great walks and activities for children.

This flower-filled park in the Yvelines hides an arboretum, royal secrets, and has inspired Blake and Mortimer.

In Buc, in the Yvelines, the park of Haut-Buc Castle is freely accessible year-round. A pedagogical arboretum, Louis XIV’s secret child, an eccentric astronomer, and the backdrop for Blake and Mortimer: this estate has more than one story to tell. Here’s more about this superb place in full bloom, a must for tulip lovers.

The Château de Saint-Jean de Beauregard and its Remarkable Garden

The Château de Saint-Jean de Beauregard, located in Essonne in the Parc Naturel Régional de la Haute Vallée de Chevreuse, is a remarkably well-preserved 19th-century château classified as a historic monument. Visitors flock here to discover the grounds, and in particular the Potager, which has been awarded the Jardin Remarquable label.

Did you know? This over 3-hectare hanging garden is hidden at the top of a Parisian train station.

And what if, atop Montparnasse Station, Paris concealed a lush green oasis suspended above the hustle and bustle of trains and traffic? A tranquil spot where the noise stays below and nature reclaims its space, providing city dwellers with an unexpected refuge. Welcome to the hidden green haven of the 15th arrondissement: the Jardin Atlantique.

Salomon de Rothschild Garden in Paris: a historic green oasis hidden in the heart of the 8th arrondissement

In the heart of the 8th arrondissement, away from the bustling Champs-Élysées, lies the Salomon de Rothschild Garden. This historic green oasis, lined with benches and winding paths, offers a peaceful retreat to pause and take a breath of fresh air.

A sensory garden perched on the heights of an ancient medieval city in the Île-de-France region

Perché on the heights of Pontoise, the Five Senses Garden offers a unique sensory experience amidst the historic ruins of an ancient medieval town in Val-d’Oise. This idyllic spot, with its breathtaking panoramic views along the ramparts, provides visitors with a peaceful retreat immersed in nature and history.

Stroll through the Parisian region: The Bois de la Solitude and the mysterious ruins of its castle

In Hauts-de-Seine, at Le Plessis-Robinson, the Bois de la Solitude conceals the ruins of an ancient castle. A scenic escape near Paris, blending lush nature, romantic remnants, and intriguing historical mysteries.

The Domaine de Saint Cloud, a huge park with many fountains near Paris

The Domaine de Saint-Cloud is the magnificent park of the now-defunct Château de Saint-Cloud. Even today, this magical place remains synonymous with festivities in the daily lives of local residents and Paris lovers alike. This historic 460-hectare park, classified as a Remarkable Garden, offers a variety of events throughout the year.

In Chessy, a surprising walk in the Dhuys sculpture garden

Looking for nature and art? Head off to an undiscovered spot some forty kilometers from Paris, to discover original sculptures scattered across the landscape.

Parc de la Roseraie in Chatenay Malabry (92): 8 hectares of listed greenery

Châtenay-Malabry, in the Hauts-de-Seine department (92), is getting a new green lung with the opening of the Parc de la Roseraie. This eight-hectare departmental park, classified as a historic monument, invites visitors to stroll beneath the foliage, between remarkable 19th-century trees and treasures of the past, such as the manor house of the Countess of Boigne and the remains of the Arouet house, a reference to Voltaire's family.

Discover the Versailles-Chèvreloup Arboretum and its Remarkable Garden

The Arboretum de Versailles-Chèvreloup awaits you all year round in its remarkable 200-hectare park! Come and stroll, picnic or play sport in complete freedom amidst 10,000 trees of over 2,500 different varieties.

The botanical garden of the Faculty of Pharmacy: a secret botanical treasure to be visited without delay

Just a stone's throw from the Jardin du Luxembourg lies a little-known green gem: the botanical garden of the Faculty of Pharmacy. From spring to autumn, this confidential corner of greenery opens its doors to the curious for guided tours that are as instructive as they are exotic.