Few people know it, and not even Parisians, but when the Paris heatwave moves into orange alert or red, the Parc Floral de Paris and the Parc de Bagatelle become free. A bit of good news for those seeking shade, trees, ponds and cascades to catch their breath, especially in the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne.
As Paris enters an orange heatwave alert, the level-3 "heatwave alert" is activated in the capital. Among the measures announced by the City, free access to the Parc Floral and the Parc de Bagatelle lets Parisians reach two large, refreshing green spaces more easily.
Before you head out, it's best to check the Météo-France vigilance map, which shows the current alert level for Paris.
Head to the Bois de Boulogne to discover the Parc de Bagatelle, a 25-hectare botanical garden famous for its rose garden, its château, its potager, its blooming gardens and its free-roaming peacocks. The City of Paris also notes that the park is one of the four sites that make up the Jardin botanique de Paris.
In heatwaves, visitors head for the shaded paths, the pools, the little bridges and the cooler spots by the water.
Just steps from the Château de Vincennes, the Parc Floral de Paris spans 35 hectares in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes. It features lawns, water features, cascading waterfalls, themed gardens, and more than 3,000 plants in its collection.
When Paris is sweltering, it's one of the simplest, best options to sit in the shade, stroll in the cool, and steer clear of the sun-baked, mineral streets during the hottest hours.
Free access to Bagatelle and the Parc Floral is added to the strengthened measures of the Ville de Paris contre la canicule: refreshed spaces, free air-conditioned museums, parcs ouverts later but also all night, followed by vulnerable people via the REFLEX file and strengthened outreach patrols.
The aim is to reduce health risks, particularly for the elderly, people who are isolated, young children, and the homeless.
When Paris is under vigilance orange ou rouge canicule à Paris, the smart move is to head for the city’s large free green spaces, notably Parc Floral and the Parc de Bagatelle. There you’ll find shade, trees, ponds, waterfalls, and above all a bit of relief when the heat becomes suffocating.
