Check Out These Underrated Parks in Paris

I'm sure you've heard about the famous parks in Paris, right? There's the Tuileries Garden near the Louvre, the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens with its magnificent palaces, and of course, Champ de Mars, which is located right in front of the Eiffel Tower. I can attest that all of these parks are indeed beautiful, but I also suggest you check out the city's more underrated green spaces. One is Jardin Naturel, located near the famous Père-Lachaise Cemetery. Much like the latter, this park is as tranquil and serves as a serene escape from the rest of the city. I like Petite Ceinture myself, especially since it's one of Paris's best-kept secrets.

Albert Kahn Musée & Jardins

Let's start this list with the highly underrated Albert Kahn Musée and its beautiful gardens. It's no secret that there are several museums and art galleries in Paris worth visiting, but Albert Kahn Musée tends to be overlooked for the more famous ones. I suggest you check this place out for its gardens alone. Its Japanese-style park is the zen oasis you need in the middle of the city's hustle and bustle. Once you go here, you'll soon forget you're still in Paris.

Address: 2 Rue du Port, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France

Source: Albert Kahn Musée Facebook Page

Jardin Catherine-Labouré

If more people knew about the legend surrounding Jardin Catherine-Labouré, I can guarantee that this won't be an underrated park in Paris anymore. Apart from the fact that it's a beautiful green space in the 7th arrondissement, Jardin Catherine-Labouré's fascinating history involves a supposed appearance of the Virgin Mary herself. She was said to have appeared to a nun in the convent that was located in the area in the 1600s. Thus, the park was named after said nun.

Address: 29 Rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Celette

Jardin de la Nouvelle France

The Champs-Elysées is undoubtedly the most famous street in Paris, yet Jardin de la Nouvelle France, which is just nearby, is practically a ghost town! Well, okay, maybe I exaggerated there a bit. People do go to this underrated park in Paris, but as far as I'm concerned, the number even doesn't compare to how many visitors places like the Tuileries Garden gets on a daily basis. I'd argue, however, that this is the best part about it. With very few folks to bump into and disturb you, Jardin de la Nouvelle France can serve as your little escape from the rest of the city. It's certainly one of mine!

Address: Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Celette

Jardin du Ranelagh

I consider Jardin du Ranelagh an underrated park in Paris simply because it's not as famous as the iconic ones. If it were up to me, this place will be as well-known as the Tuileries Garden, Luxembourg Garden, Parc de la Villette, and the like. But alas, it's not. It's still beloved by locals though. Families who live in the 16th arrondissement love bringing their kids here on weekends, especially when the local puppet show is on. It's extremely charming!

Address: 1 Avenue Prudhon, 75016 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ La diag

Jardin Naturel

If you know about Père-Lachaise, the most famous cemetery in Paris, you know that it's already a good enough green space in this part of the city. But what if you're not keen on hanging out at a graveyard. I can't fault you for not wanting to spend time amidst the resting places of various French figures. I'm not a huge fan of going here myself even though I do like the place. Fortunately, there's still Jardin Naturel, which directly adjoins the cemetery. It shares the latter's serenity without the graves.

Address: 120 Rue de la Réunion, 75020 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Chabe01

La Coulée Verte de Paris

La Coulée Verte, also known as La Promenade Plantée, is a lovely green pathway in the 12th arrondissement. stretching from Bastille métro station to the Bois de Vincennes, it's the perfect place to have a Sunday stroll. I remember when my husband was still courting me and he brought me here to have a brisk morning walk. We bought ourselves a couple of freshly-made crepes on a cool spring day and had the best date of our lives. The place is that lovely and it's truly worth your time!

Address: 1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 75012 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Parc Marcel-Bleustein Blanchet

Parc Marcel-Bleustein Blanchet is located behind the iconic Sacré Coeur so it makes sense that it's an underrated park in Paris too. I've lived in the city for a long time and I only recently been to this place myself. I've heard about it from my colleagues who live in Montmartre, but they only brought me to hang out here last spring. Thank God they did too because it's such a lovely place and I'm obsessed about how quiet when it's just behind the eternally crowded Montmartre Hill.

Address: 1 Rue de la Bonne, 75018 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Chabe01

Petite Ceinture

Petite Ceinture is the quintessential secret park in Paris. I personally believe that more Parisians know about it than they let on, but I also love that it's somewhat of a secret from tourists. It's also easy to overlook because it's not exactly a park. It's a green-filled former railway that stretches through the 12th, 15th, and 16th arrondissements. It's basically a hidden gem that only more adventurous tourists will dare to tread. We Parisians, however, love going here every chance we get.

Address: 124 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 75014 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Guilhem Vellut

Square Barye

Square Barye is located on Ile Saint-Louis in the 4th arrondissement, so of course it's another underrated park in Paris. Don't get me wrong, Ile Saint-Louis is a nice place and Square Barye is even more beautiful, but many of us locals who live outside of the island don't exactly go here often. When we do—and I have—it's because we seriously need a break from the city's craziness. Square Barye is exactly that: the perfect antidote to the hectic Paris energy and its many hassles.

Address: 2 Boulevard Henri IV, 75004 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Guilhem Vellut

Square Boucicaut

Its location in the 7th arrondissement is what makes Square Boucicaut truly one the best lesser-known parks in Paris. This relaxing green space is only a short stroll away from the Bon Marché department store, which is also one of the busiest in the city. When you need to take a break from shopping or you want to escape all that retail hassle, this is where you go. It even has a small playground where the kids can have fun as you sit down and give your feet a break. Thank goodness it's not too far from many residential neighborhoods in Paris!

Address: 1 Rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Celette

Square du Temple- Elie Wiesel

Located right at the norther edge of Le Marais, the small but beautiful Square du Temple- Elie Wiesel is a fairytale escape in the middle of the 3rd arrondissement. The green space has colorful flower beds, a serene stream, and a small playground yet it's not as manicured as the more famous Parisian parks. It has an unkempt beauty to it that's makes it seem more like the French countryside than the French capital. Doesn't that sound heavenly?

Address: 64 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Guilhem Vellut

Square du Vert-Galant

Finally, there's Square du Vert-Galant on Place du Pont Neuf. I almost didn't count this as an underrated park in Paris because it's place many people see every day. They simply don't hang out here as much! Square du Vert-Galant is tucked away on the easternmost edge of Ile de la Cité. When you take a cruise along the Seine or you hang out by the riverbanks, there's a good chance you'll see it yourself. You might even see a few people hanging out there too, relaxing under the shade of its breathtaking willow trees.

Address: 15 Place du Pont Neuf, 75001 Paris, France

Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Formulavee

When you need a green space that'll let you relax, forget about the popular spots and check out the more underrated parks in Paris. These tranquil oases of botanical bliss will enchant you to no end!