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.

On a visit to Paris, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is an unmissable stop you’ll want to squeeze in: with the Arc de Triomphe, it’s one of the capital’s most visited places. Not to mention the string of major events it hosts: the start of the famous Paris Marathon, the Tropical Carnival, and, since this year, the Lunar New Year parade. So, if you find yourself near the Champs, here are a few addresses to keep handy, so you can sit back and enjoy without spending a euro.

It's worth noting that with the Jardins des Champs-Élysées planted along the avenue, it’s a breeze to find a lovely patch of greenery to settle on a large blanket, or to opt for the benches, which are plentiful on this stretch of the Champs. All told, the Jardins des Champs-Élysées emerge as a true landscape composition, with each park boasting its own identity. Not to mention the promenades along the Quais de Seine!

1. Marigny Square

Just off the Champs-Élysées roundabout, this spot offers plenty of benches. Visitors can also lounge on the lawns when the weather is nice. Open 24/7, it is also home to the Théâtre Marigny.

2. The Charles Aznavour Garden

Further south of the Carré Marigny, this garden forms a lovely slice of green space surrounding the Petit Palais. Expansive lawns, inviting benches, and a charming bandstand where you can take shelter from the rain, for instance. It’s especially striking in autumn tones.

3. The Garden of New France

The hidden gem of the Jardins des Champs-Élysées: you have to climb a stone staircase to reach this tiny square tucked just behind the Grand Palais. A bucolic basin, tropical plants, and a few benches (watch out — they fill up fast) in a very quiet setting make this garden a well-guarded secret among Parisians.

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. [Read more]

4. The Garden of Paris, featuring Jeff Koons's Bouquet of Tulips

There are still grassy lawns and benches for reading or enjoying a family picnic, with the notable feature that here sits the grand work titled Bouquet of Tulips, donated by artist Jeff Koons to the City of Paris after the 2015–2016 attacks in the city.

5. The Queen's Promenade on the Cours de la Reine

Last but not least, this lovely stroll lies barely ten minutes further along from the Avenue. A green square once frequented by Marie de Médicis, Queen of France, and her court. Today, visitors can enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower and the Parisian banks of the Seine, shaded beneath the tall chestnut trees.

The Queen's Promenade on the Cours de la Reine, a former royal promenade frequented by Marie de Médicis
Along the Parisian banks of the Seine, a tree-lined promenade invites you to unwind: and no wonder, for more than 400 years this walkway has stood the test of time. In the past, it was the royal family who enjoyed it; today, the area is open to everyone, 24/7. [Read more]

A lovely stroll along the Champs-Élysées.