Secret garden guide

Pré Catelan Garden and the Shakespeare Garden, the Bois de Boulogne's secret gardens

If someone mentions the Bois de Boulogne and its lakes, you’ll probably know them. Yet just a few steps away, there’s another garden. A garden in the heart of the woods, little-known but far calmer: the Jardin du Pré Catelan, a green space to discover in the 16th arrondissement.

5 gardens and parks to drop by for a picnic or a rest, near the Champs-Élysées

On a trip to Paris, especially when the weather is nice, you don’t always know where to find a pleasant spot to settle in for a while—maybe to tuck into a picnic or simply take a break before continuing on. Here’s a guide to nice places to linger for a few hours around the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

This little-known garden, with rocky outcrops, a pond and quaint footbridges, is tucked away just a few meters from the Grand Palais.

Hidden just a stone's throw from the Grand Palais, the Jardin de la Nouvelle-France is one of those tiny corners of Paris you might walk right past without realizing it. Rocks, a basin, bridges and greenery outline an unexpectedly green interlude in the heart of the 8th arrondissement.

Square Léon Serpollet, the hidden green oasis in the heart of Paris's 18th arrondissement

Situated in the Clignancourt district, Square Léon Serpollet is one of those hidden gems locals know well. A green oasis tucked inside a very urban area, to be discovered on a particularly pleasant stroll.

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.

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.

The Carmelite convent in Avon, Seine-et-Marne, unveils a free museum available on request.

In Avon, in Seine-et-Marne, the Carmes Convent hides a memorial open to the public, dedicated to Father Jacques, a Resistance figure made famous by Louis Malle. A place steeped in history that we unveil to you.

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.

Hidden in the heart of Montmartre, this garden re-creates the settings from iconic paintings.

Just steps from Place du Tertre, the Renoir Gardens at the Musée de Montmartre offer a secret enclave with a view of the vines, while echoing the settings of famous paintings such as The Swing or The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette.

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.

Nestled within an old rectory, this Île-de-France museum offers visitors a glimpse into a charming priest's garden, officially designated as a remarkable garden.

In Val d'Oise, this museum housed in a former rectory features a stunning priest's garden designated as a Remarkable Garden. Here's a closer look at this lush, historic green haven.

Have you heard of this award-winning garden hidden behind the Château de Vincennes?

On the east side of Paris, near the Château de Vincennes and just steps from the forest, lies a charming English-style garden that has won multiple awards for its floral displays. It's a delightful spot for a leisurely stroll, perfect to visit during sunny days and to enjoy a romantic, picturesque setting.

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.

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.

Have you heard of this hidden garden, a twin of the Place des Vosges, tucked inside a Paris hospital?

Craving the beauty of Place des Vosges without the crowds and the racket? Nestled in the heart of the 10th arrondissement, Hôpital Saint-Louis houses a secret garden framed by red-brick arcades. Discover this architectural gem, a true haven of timeless calm.

The Maison de Balzac, home of the famous writer, and its secret garden overlooking the Eiffel Tower

The Maison de Balzac, one of the famous writer's homes, is one of the capital's literary gems, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. This house-museum also boasts an incredible garden overlooking the Eiffel Tower, as well as a café.

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.

The Eugénie Djendi garden, an unusual labyrinth garden in the 15th arrondissement

Adjacent to the Parc André Citroën, the Eugénie Djendi garden boasts architecture that's unique in Paris: it's a great place to get stuck into, to discover this beautiful green space that's almost reminiscent of a labyrinth!

The Junot garden, a free, well-hidden place to go green on the Butte Montmartre

On Avenue Junot, the eponymous garden has just opened its doors to the general public, offering an oasis of greenery and, above all, a small tree-lined oasis on the Butte Montmartre.