Did you know? In the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, the essential green lung of western Paris tucked within the 16th arrondissement, there once stood an adults-only amusement park, particularly popular with Parisians.
Far from being an erotic or sexual-themed amusement park, this park was designed for adults since its creation in 1858, when children were not regarded as highly as they are today. In fact, building an amusement park specifically for them wasn’t on the agenda. So, in this idyllic era, before the Franco‑German War of 1870 broke out, people came to the Pré Catelan to enjoy this lively place. Among the attractions that earned Pré Catelan its reputation were the dairy, where you could drink fresh milk, rides on velocipedes, the carousel, and the concerts held there.
Today, the Jardin du Pré Catelan endures. It has weathered the centuries and remains, even now, one of the most pleasant places to stroll within the vast Bois de Boulogne, featuring an open-air theatre and a children’s playground. Of the old amusement park, only a few vestiges survive: the dairy, repurposed as a utilitarian shed (according to Paris.fr), and the open-air theatre, which still hosts dramatic performances.
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. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From September 28, 2026 to December 31, 2029
Location
Jardin du Pré Catelan
Chemin de la Croix Catelan
75116 Paris 16
Route planner
Prices
Free
Official website
www.paris.fr
Pré Catelan Garden and the Shakespeare Garden, the Bois de Boulogne's secret gardens
