Unusual garden ile de france

Yvelines: have you heard of this temple of love, a romantic kiosk-bridge set in a lush green haven?

In the Yvelines, at the heart of the Bonnelles pond nature reserve, a charming bridge-kiosk nicknamed the “Temple of Love” still bears witness to an 18th-century parc à fabriques—an elaborate garden of follies. Open to the public for discovery in 2026.

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.

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.

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.

In the Paris region, a charming English-style garden dominated by an Italian villa.

In Créteil, this park offers a wonderfully charming stroll in the Paris region. With its rolling lawns, winding paths, and its Italianate villa, this 19th-century English garden delights walkers in search of charm, heritage, and tranquility.

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.

Jardin du Point du Jour, an unusual park classified as a Remarkable Garden in Seine-et-Marne (77)

In Verdelot, in the heart of the Petit Morin valley, lies a garden like no other: Le Point du Jour. Designated a "remarkable garden", it is one of the most unusual in the Paris region. With its perched huts, strange sculptures and plant cathedral, you're in for an out-of-the-ordinary stroll.

Le Désert de Retz, the unusual Anglo-Chinese park in Yvelines

One of the most unusual spots in the Paris region is the Desert de Retz, at Chambourcy in the Yvelines. This 18th-century Anglo-Chinese garden is one of the few to have been preserved in its original state. This enchanting place, once frequented by the likes of Marie-Antoinette and Thomas Jefferson, stands out for its fanciful constructions. You'll also enjoy discovering the many remarkable trees that dominate the landscaped area.

The Parc du peuple de l'herbe, the largest nature park in the Yvelines, with its flora and fauna

The Parc du Peuple de l'herbe at Carrières-sous-Poissy in the Yvelines region, open all year round, offers a fascinating immersion in nature. This 113-hectare park, the largest in the Yvelines region, is home to an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, providing an ideal setting for nature lovers and families in search of discovery. Insects and flowers abound.

Unusual in the Yvelines: the superb waterfall grotto at Parc du Dr Fauvel in Villennes-sur-Seine

Villennes-sur-Seine, a charming commune in the Yvelines department, is home to a little-known treasure: the waterfalls of the Parc Fauvel grotto. Located some 36 kilometers west of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, this small town near Poissy on the left bank of the Seine boasts a park that combines history and nature. The park, an example of English romanticism, features an unusual grotto and waterfalls.

Parc de l'Amitié, the superb Japanese park in Hauts-de-Seine

Looking for an original park and garden just outside Paris? Head for Rueil-Malmaison in the 92 region to discover the Parc de l'Amitié, an astonishing park full of treasures, including a Japanese garden with its emblematic red bridge and flourishing vegetation.

Walk: Parc de la Croix du Bois in Voisins-le-Bretonneux, a hidden gem between nature and history

We're off to Voisins-le-Bretonneux in the Yvelines to discover the astonishing Parc de la Croix du Bois. A park hidden away at the edge of the forest, it conceals Italian-inspired treasures. It's a little-known haven of peace that invites you to stroll and discover.

Discovering Sonja's Gardens: A four-season Eden in Perray-en-Yvelines

Les Jardins de Sonja, a veritable botanical Eden in Le Perray-en-Yvelines, has been delighting garden lovers since 1980. Discover these sublime hidden gardens with their multiple settings, imagined by landscape designer Sonja Gauron.

The Perfumer's Garden, the garden of the Château de Versailles and the House of Francis Kurkdjian

The park at Versailles is home to a little-known garden: "Le Jardin du Parfumeur". Under the patronage of Francis Kurkdjian, the plot envelops the Trianon estate in an elegant floral fragrance.

The Trianon Estate and the Queen's hamlet

The Domaine de Trianon can be visited separately from the Château. Located two kilometers away, it was once a place of refuge for kings, who found rest and relaxation away from the Court. Created by Louis XV, the estate became the fiefdom of Marie-Antoinette, who modified the grounds and created an entire hamlet, like a small village.

The lovely Ichikawa Japanese Garden in Issy-les-Moulineaux

The Japanese Garden of ishikawa, just outside Paris, is the result of a partnership between the town of Issy-les-Moulineaux and the Japanese town of Ichikawa. They worked together to create the first truly traditional Japanese public garden in France. We're off to discover this Zen garden, ideal for meditation and relaxation.