PARIS green

Press files “Paris in all seasons”
Press file “Paris in all seasons”
(2012/2013)
PARIS green
With more than 400 parks and gardens covering almost 3,000 hectares, and
more than 400,000 trees, Paris is a green capital! The Siemens Index of Green
Cities ranked Paris as Europe’s second greenest city in 2009. A varied flora
and fauna, wooded areas and cleanliness add to Paris’s image as an ecofriendly city, attentive and innovative in ways to improve the environment and
the life of its citizens and visitors. Natural settings are plentiful throughout
the city: new public parks, gardening for all, secret gardens, animals, and
classes in eco-citizen savoir faire, etc. Initiatives and projects privileging ecofriendly activities have been springing up all over the city and non-polluting
forms of transport are rapidly growing too.
GREEN SPACES A LA CARTE
> Parks
For those who appreciate greenery on a grand scale, the French capital boasts some splendid parks which stretch
over several hectares and punctuate the urban landscape with vast swathes of greenery. Each district has its own
particular space with a wide variety of layouts and installations — something for everyone.
Parc Montsouris – Organized around three spacious lawns separated by three bridges over a lake, this park is a
favourite spot to relax for students from the nearby Cité Universitaire who take advantage of the public lawns for
picnics and sunbathing in the sunny, summer weather.
2 rue Gazan, Paris 14th – T2 Montsouris – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Parc André-Citroën - This ultra modern 14-hectare park offers lovely views over the Seine. The garden is heavily
landscaped and boasts many water features, including a canal and multiple fountain jets. It also features some
very unusual vegetation. A central flower bed stretches as far as the Seine and onto a large lawn, an ideal spot for
relaxing. Walkers can admire two gigantic hothouses with their exotic and Mediterranean plants collection and
stroll amongst the many themed gardens. An enormous tethered balloon displays the air quality of the capital and
can transport the public 150 m above the ground for a 360° view of the city and the surrounding 40 km.
2 rue Cauchy, Paris 15th – M° Balard /Javel-André-Citroën – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Parc Monceau – Surrounded by grandiose buildings and sumptuous private mansions, this park is one of the city’s
most beautiful. It features numerous statues, spectacular trees and large lawns for picnics and sunbathing in the
peace and quiet of summer days.
35 bd de Courcelles, Paris 8th – M° Monceau – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont – This large landscaped park stretches over almost 25 hectares and is one of the
capital’s biggest. It is also one of the most uneven of Paris’s green spaces (over 30 m): the park is built on an old
stone quarry. In the flat part of the park, there is a lake with a rocky island, the Ile du Belvédère with a viewing
observatory called the ‘Temple de la Sybille’ perched at its heights. On the southern side of the lake, there is a
cave, which once served as the entrance to an underground quarry.
1 rue Botzaris, Paris 19th – M° Buttes-Chaumont/Botzaris – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Parc de la Villette - Featuring sculptures, exhibitions, performances, the biggest of the capital’s ‘urban cultural
parks’ aims to create links between the arts, culture and society. Spread over 55 hectares, of which 35 hectares
are outdoor, this vast area is great for cyclists and walkers and provides plenty of leisure and play activities around
its two huge lawns.
211 av Jean-Jaurès, Paris 19th – M° Porte-de-Pantin – www.villette.com
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
Parc de Belleville – This 45,000 m2 is situated on the slopes of Belleville and boasts stunning views of the French
capital. The park has received the ‘ecological green space’ label. With 1,200 trees and shrubs, lawns where you
can stretch out, pergolas covered in roses, a bamboo garden, Pinot Meunier (champagne) and chardonnay vines,
the Maison de l’air, a 100 m long cascading fountain and pools, this is a little-known corner of paradise.
47 rue des Couronnes, Paris 20e – M° Pyrénées/Couronnes – www.mairie20.paris.fr
> Gardens
French-style formal gardens, wild gardens or zoological gardens: in Paris, the tradition of the garden lies at the
heart of historical and contemporary environmental planning. Major buildings, be they official (the Senate, PalaisRoyal), cultural (the Louvre) or scientific (the Natural History Museum), present their verdant extensions for a
perfect dialogue between nature and culture.
> The largest of Paris’s great gardens
Jardin du Palais-Royal – This garden was created in 1633 at the centre of the Palais-Royal. The garden is lined
with four double rows of linden and red chestnut trees and features a central pond whose fan-shaped fountains
sprinkle jets of water onto the two vast lawns. These are bordered by flower beds, decorated with marble statues
and the famous grey and white Colonnes de Buren (Daniel Buren’s columns). It’s no wonder then that this garden
has earned the label of ‘Remarkable Garden’.
2 place Colette, Paris 1st – M° Palais-Royal – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Jardin des Plantes – The Jardin des Plantes has been promoting the discovery of biodiversity for the past four
centuries, thanks to the unusual features on display: a rose garden, alpine garden, as well as the Musée national
d’histoire naturelle, the large hothouses, the animal zoo, the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution and the Galerie de
Paléontologie.
2 rue Buffon, Paris 5th – M° Gare-d’Austerlitz– www.jardindesplantes.net
Jardin du Luxembourg – This private garden, open to the public, surrounds the Palais du Luxembourg, home of
the French Senate and owners of the grounds. Renovation work was carried out on the garden’s hothouses by
André Le Nôtre. The garden features elements of French and English design with an orchard, an apiary for beelovers, 106 statues including a miniature bronze version of the Statue of Liberty and three fountains, including the
large central fountain.
Paris 6th – M° Odéon – www.senat.fr
Jardin des Tuileries – Connecting the Place de la Concorde to the Louvre, this superb open garden is the biggest
in Paris (25.5 hectares). Created in 1564 by Catherine de Médicis and renovated by Le Nôtre in 1664, this open air
museum is home to sculptures by Maillol, amongst others.
Paris 1st – M° Tuileries
Jardin d’Acclimatation – This park, inaugurated by Napoleon 3rd at the end of the 19th century, stretches for over
18 hectares at the centre of the Bois de Boulogne. It offers numerous attractions, including merry-go-rounds,
play areas, farm animals, an aviary, a pool and a vegetable garden.
Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16th – M° Porte-Maillot/Porte Dauphine - www.jardindacclimatation.fr
Jardin du Champ-de-Mars and the l’Ecole Militaire Lawns – With 24.5 hectares, this open park is one the biggest
green spaces in Paris. It features numerous remarkable trees, is accessible day and night and is within walking
distance of the Eiffel Tower. Offering one of the best views of this iconic Parisian landmark, the park is usually
thronged with tourists and mothers taking their children to the park’s puppet theatre or the play areas. On sunny
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
days, contemporary music concerts are held at the bandstand. The lawn is a highly-coveted area for picnickers,
musicians and get-togethers. It is also the perfect spot from which to admire the Eiffel Tower, lit up at night.
2 allée Adrienne Lecouvreur, Paris 7th – M° École-Militaire – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
> Gardens with the ‘ecological green space’ label
Conscious of the important role that parks, gardens and green spaces play in the life of its citizens, the Paris City
Council is constantly improving their ecological quality. The capital has 63 gardens with the “ecological green
space” label.
Details on: www.paris.fr
> Botanical treasures
The City of Paris botanical garden comprises four gardens: the Parc Floral de Paris and the École du Breuil in
the Bois de Vincennes, to the east, and the Parc de Bagatelle and the Jardin des serres d’Auteuil, in the west. The
missions of the botanical gardens are to conserve plants threatened with extinction, study them and research
potential uses for them; also to promote sustainable development and to educate, inform and familiarize the
public with the subject of botany through workshops and exhibitions. Its landscaped gardens, arboretums, vegetable gardens, hothouses and nurseries contain a wealth of remarkable plants. Not to be missed!
Details on: www.paris.fr
> A new garden at Porte des Lilas: the Jardin Serge Gainsbourg
This 1.5 hectare garden, at Porte des Lilas in the east of the capital, bears the name of the French singer-song
writer Serge Gainsbourg and opened in July 2010. Built on top of the covered over city ring road, the garden offers
a magnificent viewpoint with views over the Plaine-Saint-Denis. A pond, plants and sustainable planning are all
part of this new green area.
Porte des Lilas - Paris 19th – M° Porte-des-Lilas
> Three gardens in one at the Grands-Moulins
12,000 m² of land in the heart of the Masséna-Nord district, on the Left Bank of the Seine, in the 13th arrondissement, have been transformed into three gardens linked to the banks of the Seine by the esplanade of the GrandsMoulins. The emphasis here is on ecology with the creation of a place for small fauna and the use of rain water.
Jardins Abbé Pierre - Grands Moulins - 15 rue Thomas Mann, Paris 13th – M° Bibliothèque-François-Mitterrand
> The woods of Paris
The Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes are two firm favourites, where city-dwellers reconcile themselves
with nature. Lakes, theatres, floral parks, zoos, animal farms, cycle paths, sporting areas, cycling tracks, racecourses ... plenty of facilities and activities to keep families and onlookers fit and happy.
Bois de Vincennes –Paris 12th – M° Château-de-Vincennes - www.paris.fr
Bois de Boulogne – Paris 16th – M° Porte-Maillot/Porte-Dauphine - www.paris.fr
> Mini parks and gardens for the family
In the hierarchy of parks and gardens, those little green parcels of land known in French as squares constitute the
smallest natural havens in the city. A local spot for families, to observe the birds, these little neighbourhood parks
are pure representations of local Paris life for visitors to the city. The best-known ones have a story to tell: for
example, the amphitheatre the Arènes de Lutèce is one of the best-preserved remains of Roman times in the French
capital; as for the square Sarah-Bernhardt, it pays tribute to the celebrated tragic actress.
Les arènes de Lutèce – rue des Arènes, rue de Navarre, rue Monge, Paris 5th – M° Jussieu/Place-Monge
Square Sarah-Bernhardt – rue de Lagny, rue de Buzenval, rue Mounet-Sully, Paris 20th – M° Buzenval /Porte-de-Vincennes
List of squares on: www.paris.fr
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
> Green treasures
Promenade plantée
It crosses the length of Paris’s 12th arrondissement (4.5 km). The walk follows a former railway line which was
closed in 1969. Starting behind the Opéra-Bastille, the famous Viaduc des Arts runs above the avenue Daumesnil
as far as the Reuilly gardens. The walk continues along the allée Vivaldi then through tunnels and along narrow
paths, until you reach Porte Dorée and the Bois de Vincennes. Without realizing you will have walked across a
whole Paris neighbourhood without meeting one single car!
La Promenade plantée – Paris 12th – M° Bastille – www.promenade-plantee.org
Parisian vines
At the foot of Sacré-Cœur, nestled in the charming neighbourhood of Montmartre, this Parisian vineyard constitutes a rural detour out of time. 1,500 m² of vines are harvested here each year at the Clos Montmartre festival,
on the second weekend in October. Parisians and visitors alike are welcome to join in the festivities: grape picking
and tasting workshops, and fireworks. There are also a dozen or so other vines in the capital, at the Parc de Bercy
or Parc Georges-Brassens for example … for discovering a wine grower’s life in the heart of Paris!
Details on: www.fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com
The Cité Universitaire internationale, architecture in a green setting
Nestling in a 34-hectare park, the Cité internationale universitaire accommodates some 10,000 residents of 140
different nationalities each year. These are students who have come abroad to follow a course of study in the
French capital. The particularity of this park is the 40 national halls of residence that house the students: they are
veritable architectural gems, built between 1925 and 1969. Some of them were designed by eminent architects
such as Le Corbusier, Claude Parent, Willem Marinus Dudok, and offer an original architectural and bucolic walk.
Cité internationale universitaire - 17 bd Jourdan, Paris 14th – RER Cité-Universitaire – Tel +33 (0)1 44 16 64 00 – www.ciup.fr
Cemeteries, exquisite areas of greenery
Places for pensive walks and meditation, Paris’s cemeteries offer a pleasant green setting. In fact, the 44-hectare
Père-Lachaise cemetery is the largest green area in the capital! The Montparnasse and Montmartre cemeteries
are also enjoyable places to stroll. What’s more, they both house the tombs of famous people, including Marcel
Proust, Émile Zola, Jim Morrison, Serge Gainsbourg, and many more.
Details on: www.paris.fr
Hothouses
Beneath grandiose glass architecture, the hothouses present magnificent gardens with an amazing variety of
botanical species including perfectly cultivated tropical plants.
Les serres tropicales du Jardin des Plantes – 2 rue Buffon, Paris 5th – M° Gare-d’Austerlitz - www.paris.fr
Les serres d’Auteuil - 3 av de la Porte-d’Auteuil, Paris 16th – M° Porte-d’Auteuil - http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
free admission
inaugurations, reopenings
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
> Secret Gardens
Lovers of nature and gardens can find wonderful little gardens tucked away from the main thoroughfares. Here
are the addresses of some of the city’s best-kept secrets.
Clos des Blancs Manteaux - It would be easy to overlook this little haven of paradise tucked away at the centre
of the Marais district. Here, visitors can learn about eco-friendly practices in the garden and home-workshop.
Almost 250 species of useful and ornamental plants, all carefully labelled, inform visitors about their properties:
herbs, condiments, dyes, medicinal purposes, etc. Numerous workshops and exhibitions are organized at this
centre where the public can learn more about nature and sorting and recycling waste.
21 rue des Blancs-Manteaux, Paris 4th – M° Rambuteau – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Square Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur – Pauline Roland - In the heart of the Marais, at the end of a maze of narrow
streets, you can discover this typically French little garden. With its rose arbour and stone and wooden benches,
it is certainly one of the city’s most romantic green spaces.
9 rue du Grand Veneur, Paris 3rd - M° Saint-Sébastien-Froissart – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Jardin naturel - This garden on the rue de Lesseps stretching over 6,300 m2 has earned the ‘ecological green space’
label and holds the distinction of hosting exclusively native plants. As soon as you enter the garden, you feel as if you are
in the middle of a forest. At the centre, a large walkway with numerous fountains leads into a shady wood. Surrounded
by birdsong, it’s hard to imagine you are in the centre of a bustling city! Stone steps take you up to a sunny terrace with
a stunning view over the garden.
Access via rue de la Réunion, rue de Lesseps, Paris 20th – M° Alexandre Dumas – http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Jardin du Panthéon bouddhique - Situated in the centre of the 16th arrondissement, this annexe of the Musée
Guimet is open all year round and is a green haven, ideal for relaxation. Stroll amidst bamboo groves, admire the
fish pond and relax in the tea pavilion.
19 av d’Iéna, Paris 16th – M° Iéna – www.guimet.fr
> Plant architecture
Whether it concerns hotels, museums or other cultural institutions, the world of architecture, is cultivating a new
trend: plant art. These havens of greenery and tranquillity of a new kind (plant walls, vertical forests, etc.) are the
latest speciality of top landscapers and botanists — Patrick Blanc, Robert Milin or Michel Desvigne. What’s more,
the capital has 82 ‘plant’ walls that enhance the city and contribute to the maintenance of walls.
BHV Homme - 36 rue de la Verrerie, Paris 4th – M° Hôtel-de-Ville – www.bhv.fr
Marithé et François Girbaud - 7 rue du Cherche-Midi, Paris 6th – M° Saint-Sulpice – www.girbaud.com
Musée du Quai-Branly - 222 rue de l’Université, Paris 7th – M° Alma-Marceau – www.quaibranly.fr
Pershing Hall - 49 rue Pierre-Charron, Paris 8th – M° George-V – www.pershinghall.com
Jardin Jules-Verne - 32 rue Bréguet, Paris 11th – M° Bréguet-Sabin
7 rue de l’Industrie - Paris 13th – M° Maison-Blanche
Jardin du Dessous-des-Berges - Rue Watt, Paris 13th – M° Bibliothèque-François-Mitterrand
Rue Alain - Paris 14th – M° Pernety
Fondation Cartier - 261 bd Raspail, Paris 14th – M° Raspail – www.fondation.cartier.fr
Parc André-Citroën - Paris 15th – M° Raspail
Rue Bossoutrot - Paris 15th – M° Balard
Jardin des Deux-Nèthes - Paris 18th
Rue des Orteaux - Paris 20th – M° Maraichers
More information on www.jardins.paris.fr
> Large scale projects
The Canopy: nature at the heart of the renewal project for Les Halles.
The project is ambitious and promises to green over Les Halles! Transformed into a canopy, the heart of the
capital should therefore become a green and sustainable oasis for Parisians and visitors. The conception is that
of architects Patrick Berger and Jacques Anziutti and the project began work in 2010. Once completed, it will take
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
the form of an architectural space covered in glass, in which cultural and commercial activities will take place.
Attached to this there will be a 4.3 hectare garden, on one level, featuring areas to walk, large grassy areas and
3,870 m² of activities for children.
La Canopée, Paris 1st – M° Les Halles, RER Châtelet-Les Halles - www.parisleshalles.fr
Parc de Clichy-Batignolles-Martin-Luther-King
This park is still undergoing construction but inaugurated a first series of work at the end of 2008. When finalized,
the Parc de Clichy-Batignolles will cover about 10 hectares making it the biggest green area in the north-west of
Paris. It will be structured around three themes: the seasons, sport and water.
Parc Clichy-Batignolles – Martin Luther King - 147 rue Cardinet, Paris 17th – M° Brochant - http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
The Petite Ceinture, ideal for walks
The Petite Ceinture is a former railway line, which once encircled Paris along the boulevards des Maréchaux.
Disused since 1934, its rusted tracks are now a haven for a rare biodiversity of wild flowers and fauna; it boasts
more than 200 species of plants and no less than 70 animal species. At the beginning of 2008, a first section was
open to walkers and should be followed by others in the next few years. Situated in the 16th arrondissement
between the Porte d’Auteuil and the Gare de la Muette, this strip of land measures 1,500 m. it is accessible to
everyone, including physically disabled people, who can borrow wheelchairs adapted for such terrain. This green
countrified pathway through the capital, often little-known to Parisians, is a great discovery!
Petite ceinture, Paris 16th – M° Michel-Ange-Auteuil – www.paris.fr
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
> Art in the park
There are gardens as art … and art in gardens. In Paris, parks and gardens are often associated with art works,
either as permanent fixtures or during temporary exhibitions. The gardens of the Musée Rodin form a natural
setting for works by the sculptor. In the Tuileries gardens, statuary from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including works by Aristide Maillol, are dotted along the pathways and works by some of the finest contemporary
sculptors are displayed in the shade of the chestnut trees during the Foire internationale d’art contemporain
(Fiac) in October. In the gardens at Palais-Royal, the contemporary Colonnes de Buren (Buren’s columns) contrast
with the classical architecture of the surrounding buildings. And at the Jardin du Luxembourg, the metal railings
which surround the garden on the side of place Edmond-Rostand are regularly used as an exhibition space to
hang large-format photographs.
Jardin du Palais-Royal pl du Palais-Royal, Paris 1st - M° Palais-Royal, RER Auber
Jardin des Tuileries Paris 1st – M° Tuileries - www.louvre.fr
Jardin du Luxembourg Paris 6th - M° Odéon, RER Luxembourg
Jardin du musée Rodin 79 rue de Varenne, Paris 7th - M° Varenne, RER Invalides - www.musee-rodin.fr
free admission
inaugurations, reopenings
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
> A breath of fresh air
The Maison de l’air, situated in the Jardin de Belleville, offers a remarkable panoramic view over Paris and the
20th arrondissement; a great place to observe the sky and its atmospheric phenomena in Paris. The meteorological station gives information about the air in Paris in real time. The permanent exhibition gives an insight into
the air in Paris and its essential role in our environment. It also presents things which live in, move in and depend
upon the air; and recounts the history of the atmosphere, its role and the importance of protecting it.
Maison de l’air 27 rue Piat, Paris 20th – M° Pyrénées - www.paris.fr
> Tending your shared plot of land
In Paris, flowers, fruit and vegetables are also lovingly cultivated in gardens known as «jardins partagés » shared
gardens. These are local green spaces created at the initiative of local residents wishing to do some gardening in
a friendly environment. And although only members are allowed to garden here, everyone can enjoy the results!
For gardening enthusiasts looking for advice and information, L’École du Breuil (a municipal horticulture and
landscape gardening school) at the Bois de Vincennes offers complete gardening courses (45 hours per semester)
from October to June. Beginners and more experienced gardeners can also get together at La Maison du Jardinage
(The Gardening House). Located in the Bercy district, it offers a variety of activities linked to organic gardening.
At the Troc Main Verte, organized three times a year, for example, people come to exchange seeds, seedlings and
cuttings … and why not old gardening pots, tools, books and magazines! Enthusiasts of shared gardening schemes
get together at the ‘Cafés jardins’, one Saturday each month. Courses are also offered. Finally, the ‘jardin insolite’
(unusual garden) hidden within the orchard of the Parc Floral deserves a mention. Curious gardeners can visit
its 400 m2 consisting of a vegetable garden, flower garden and ornamental garden that respects the environment
and implements sustainable gardening techniques. Professional gardeners are at hand to answer any questions
and provide tips and advice for organic gardeners within this enchanted setting.
> Jardins partagés: a selection of some of the best ‘shared gardens’
Jardin de l’Aqueduc – A lush 1,000 m² garden that’s ideal for families.
Located between the rue Thomas Francine and rue de l’Empereur Valentinien, Paris 14th - www.jardin-aqueduc.fr
Jardin du Ruisseau – This popular garden is situated along a disused railway track, close to the Clignancourt flea
market and regularly organizes concerts, live performances and exhibitions.
Next to 110 rue du Ruisseau, Paris 18th – www.facebook.com/jardinsduruisseau
Jardin du Bois Dormoy - A veritable miniature forest stretching over 2,000 m²; artistic installations are scattered
throughout this wild garden.
2 bis cité de La Chapelle, Paris 17th – www.boisdormoy.blogspot.com
Jardin sur le Toit – This 800 m² garden situated on the roof of the Vignoles gymnasium is part of a social insertion
project.
89/91 rue des Haies, Paris 20th – M° Maraichers
Jardin de la Butte Bergeyre – A little garden situated at the top of a picturesque hillside overlooking Paris and
the Butte Montmartre.
80 rue Georges Lardennois, Paris 19th
Details on: www.paris.fr
> Improve your gardening skills
Jardin insolite – Parc Floral 118 route de la Pyramide, Paris 12th - M° Château de Vincennes - www.paris.fr
La Maison du Jardinage – Parc de Bercy rue Paul-Belmondo, Paris 12th – M° Cour-Saint-Emilion – Tel +33 (0)1 53 66 14 00 www.paris.fr
La Maison du jardinage de l’Ecole du Breuil - Route de la Ferme - Bois de Vincennes, Paris 12th - RER A Joinville-le-Pont –
Tel + 33 (0)1 53 66 14 00 - www.ecoledubreuil.fr
> Garden fever
Parisians are getting to be keen gardeners! Throughout the city everything is on hand to keep budding horticulturists happy and to nurture those green fingers. The big names in the gardening world have arrived in the city and
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
you will find everything there. Worth noting, the trend for very simple and appealing gardening kits, for a great
gift idea.
Leroy Merlin – A large chain store offering, decor, home ware and gardening products, advice and ideas. 52 rue Rambuteau,
Paris 3rd - M° Rambuteau - www.leroymerlin.fr
Le Marché aux fleurs - A pleasant market with a wide variety of flowers, plants and shrubs. Île de la Cité, pl Louis-Lépine,
Paris 4th - M° Cité
Le Prince jardinier - Sells top quality garden tools and accessories, home ware items, crockery and picnic ware, as well as
clothes made from natural fibres. 116 rue du Bac, Paris 7th M° Sèvres-Babylone - Tel +33 (0)1 42 84 84 00 – www.princejardinier.fr
Truffaut – Large gardening, animal and home ware store. 85 quai de la Gare, Paris 13th - M° Quai-de-la-Gare - www.truffaut.com
> Animals in the city
Birds, butterflies, fish and even farm animals and rare species have their place in the streets, woods and gardens
of the French capital, much to the delight of young and old alike!
Maison des oiseaux - The Maison des oiseaux, in square Capitan, raises public awareness about the diversity of birdlife in the
city. 6 rue des Arènes, Paris 5th - M° Jussieu/Place-Monge - Tel +33 (0)1 43 28 47 63
Ménagerie du jardin des Plantes – Home to 1,800 species of animals, a third of which are threatened with extinction. These
rare species can be admired in this exceptional architectural space (200 years of history) and amongst its lush vegetation (over
400 trees). 57 rue Cuvier, 2 rue Buffon, Paris 5th – M° Gare-d’Austerlitz/Place-Monge - Tel +33 (0)1 40 79 56 01 – www.mnhn.fr
La Ferme de Paris - a real farm, with calves, cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens, open all year round. Bois de Vincennes,
route du Pesage, Paris 12th - M° Château-de-Vincennes – www.paris.fr
Maison Paris Nature – in the centre of the Parc Floral, the Maison Paris Nature raises public awareness about the rich variety
of nature in the French capital through introductory workshops, the Jardin des Papillons (butterfly garden) or the Biblioludothèque Nature (fun nature library). Parc Floral, Bois de Vincennes, Paris 12th - M° Château-de-Vincennes – www.paris.fr
Palais de la porte Dorée – Aquarium tropical - the legendary aquarium at the Palais de la porte Dorée and its huge collection
of tropical fish has been a major tourist attraction for more than forty years. 293 av Daumesnil, Paris 12th – M° Porte-Dorée –
Tel + 33 (0)1 53 59 58 60 - www.aquarium-portedoree.fr
Aquarium de Paris - CinéAqua - the Aquarium at Trocadéro, named CinéAqua, offers a new audiovisual aquarium concept: the
discovery of various species of fish in immense tanks is enlivened by screenings of multimedia cartoon strips throughout the
visit. 5 avenue Albert De Mun, Paris 16th – M° Trocadéro, Iéna - Tel + 33 (0)1 40 69 23 23 - www.cineaqua.com
Jardin d’Acclimatation - young children will be amazed by the bees, birds and hundreds of animal species, including rare
domestic species on display at the ‘Petite Ferme Normande’ (Little Normandy Farm). Paris 16th - M° Porte-Maillot/Porte
Dauphine
Details on: www.paris.fr
> Guided tours of parks and gardens
Guided tours of the parks and gardens of Paris reveal the botanical richness and beauty of these splendid green
spaces. Individuals and groups alike are welcome on these cycle or walking tours, which last from two to three
hours and are offered in sign language as well as English. Book in advance.
Details on: paris.fr
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
> Garden fun
Fairgrounds, amusements, puppets, slides ... there is plenty to keep everyone amused in Paris’s gardens, squares
and parks.
Parc de Belleville – Home to a new type of so called “new generation” play area, built mostly in wood. It has areas for three
different age ranges starting from 6 years. A wooden cabin, a cliff, or a dinosaur … each to their own imagination and play area!
47 rue des Couronnes, Paris 20th – M° Pyrénées/Couronnes - http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
Jardin du Luxembourg – Puppet theatre, play area, donkey rides, seesaws, merry-go-round, chess, bridge and remote-control
boats. 2 rue Auguste Comte, Paris 6th – M° Odéon, RER Luxembourg
Jardin du Champ-de-Mars and the l’Ecole Militaire Lawns - Play areas, merry-go-round, puppet theatre, pony rides. 2 allée
Adrienne Lecouvreur, Paris 7th – M° École-Militaire
Jardin d’Acclimatation – Numerous paying attractions (merry-go-rounds, bumper cars), theatres, puppets, as well as free
play areas and various events and activities throughout the year. Children can also participate in cooking, magic and gardening
workshops, to name but a few of the classes on offer. Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16th – M° Porte-Maillot/Porte Dauphine
Jardin des Tuileries – Visitors to the gardens can enjoy a fairground during the months of July and August. Place de la Concorde,
Paris 1st – M° Concorde/ Tuileries.
List of playgrounds on www.paris.fr
> Sport in the open air
Out in the fresh air right in the heart of the city or in the woods! Favourite places of sporty Parisians, the two
wooded areas Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne are ideal places to exercise in a green setting: go jogging,
follow a fitness trail, cycle on bike paths, play football or rugby, etc. The region’s golf courses offer exceptional
settings for keen golfers. Ideal for business or pleasure, they offer a great day out and the chance to work on your
swing or putting. With jumps and steeple chases, thorough-bred horses … there is nothing like an exciting day out
at one of Paris’s racecourses on the edge of the capital and its woods. In the city, there are lots of opportunities
for enjoying sporting activities. Every Sunday morning, state-qualified coaches and municipal sports teachers
offer physical education and jogging sessions in ten or so parks and gardens to combine well-being with nature.
A new trend, Urban training offers fitness sessions indoors and outdoors, in small groups, with a coach (military
staff, firemen, etc.). What’s new? Taking inspiration from nature to get fit. Places to train include pavements,
escalators, public benches or the woods!
> Fitness trails
Fitness trails in the Bois de Vincennes - 2.4 km trail including 4 (for beginners) to 18 obstacles or stations. Paris 12th –
M° Château-de-Vincennes
Fitness trails in the Bois de Boulogne - 2.5 km sports trail with obstacles over 19 stages. M° Porte d’Auteuil
Rural cycling paths
Bois de Boulogne - 15 km cycle touring lanes. Paris 16th – M° Château-de-Vincennes
Bois de Vincennes - 17,5 km available in the Bois de Vincennes. Paris 12th – M° Porte d’Auteuil
Pitches (football, rugby, etc.)
Bois de Vincennes - Paris 12th – M° Château-de-Vincennes. List of pitches on www.paris.fr
Bois de Boulogne - Paris 16th – M° Porte d’Auteuil. List of pitches on www.paris.fr
Racecourses
Hippodrome de Vincennes - 2 route de la Ferme, Paris 12th – M° Château-de-Vincennes
Hippodrome d’Auteuil - Route des Lacs, Paris 16th – M° Porte-Dauphine
Hippodrome de Longchamp - Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16th – M° Porte-d’Auteuil
Golf courses
Golf at the bois de Boulogne - Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris 16th – M° Porte-d’Auteuil
Golf at the jardin d’Acclimatation - Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16th – M° Porte-d’Auteuil
Paris Golf & Country Club - 121 rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-de-Montbrison, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison – Tel +33 (0)1 47 77 64 00
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
In the city
Outdoor fitness - Free classes in parks on Sunday mornings. Details on www.paris.fr
Sporting facilities - Ping pong, pétanque (boules), basketball in green spaces. List of venues on www.paris.fr
> Relax at a terrace
Museums with private gardens, hotels with gardens for lunch or dinner, hidden terraces, restaurants nestled in
woods … lovers of nature and gardens can find hidden gems off the beaten track.
Musée Rodin Le jardin de Varenne - A refreshments bar in the gardens of the Musée Rodin. 79 rue de Varenne, Paris 7th –
M° Varenne- Tel + 33 (0)1 44 18 61 10 - www.musee-rodin.fr
Hôtel Amour – A terrace in the tree-lined courtyard of the trendy boutique hotel run by the Costes brothers. 8 rue de Navarin,
Paris 9th – M° Saint-Georges – Tel + 33 (0)1 48 78 31 80 - www.hotelamourparis.fr
Musée de la vie Romantique – Refreshments bar in the flower-filled garden surrounding the Musée de la vie romantique.
16 rue Chaptal, Paris 9th – M° Blanche – Tel + 33 (0) 1 55 31 95 67 - www.vie-romantique.paris.fr
Le chalet des îles Daumesnil - Located in the middle of the Île de Reuilly, in the Bois de Vincennes, this veritable Swiss chalet
was formerly a guinguette (outdoor cafe with dancing). It has undergone a facelift and now boasts a contemporary decor and a
large terrace space. Île de Reuilly, Bois de Vincennes, Paris 12th - M° Liberté/ Porte Dorée/Porte de Charenton Tel + 33(0)1 43 07 00 10 - www.lechaletdesiles.com
Hôtel Particulier Montmartre - The fabulous secret garden of a fabulous secret hotel at the Butte Montmartre.
23 avenue Junot, Paris 18th – M° Lamarck – Tel + 33 (0)1 53 41 81 40 - www.hotel-particulier-montmartre.com
La guinguette de Neuilly - The former haunt of boaters on the Île de la Jatte, this guinguette (outdoor cafe with dancing) has
retained its joyous and rural atmosphere and boasts a terrace along the Seine, surrounded by greenery. 12 bd Georges Seurat,
92200 Neuilly Sur Seine – M° Pont de Levallois- Bécon – Tel + 33 (0)1 46 24 25 04 - www.la-guinguette-de-neuilly.com
Le pavillon du lac – A French restaurant located in the Buttes Chaumont. Parc des Buttes Chaumont, entrance Place Armand
Carrel, Paris 19th –M° Buttes Chaumont - Tel + 33 (0)1 42 00 07 21 - www.lepavillondulac.fr
Le bistro des dames – A bar-restaurant in a little garden with bamboo and Chinese lanterns, hidden behind a little hotel on the
very lively rue des Dames. 18 rue des Dames, Paris 17th – M° Place de Clichy – Tel + 33 (0)1 45 22 13 42 - www.eldoradohotel.fr
Café A – A bar-restaurant nestled in the secret garden of a former convent, now the Maison de l’architecture, a short walk away
from the Gare de l’Est. 148 rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, Paris 10th – M° Gare de l’Est – Tel + 33 (0)9 81 29 83 38 www.maisonarchitecture-idf.org
> Dancing under the stars
Open air discotheques and guinguettes (open air cafes with dancing) for al fresco aperitifs have become more and
more popular in recent years and during the summer months; the options are plentiful for this type of seasonal
venue.
Fridays at Longchamp – A barbeque-style restaurant and dance floor on an open air terrace overlooking the Longchamp racecourse and with views of the Eiffel Tower. Hippodrome de Longchamp, route des tribunes, Paris 16th.
Evenings at Bagatelle - The Bois de Boulogne is a popular venue for fashionable Parisians during weekends in summer, seeking
entertainment by the Institut Bonheur in the enchanted and exclusive setting of the Jardins de Bagatelle. Bois de Boulogne,
allée de Longchamp, Paris 16th – M° Ranelagh - www.institutbonheur.com
Petit chalet entre amis – Chic evenings in the setting of the sublime restaurant the Chalet des Îles, on the water in the middle
of the Bois de Boulogne. Chalet des Îles, Lac inférieur du Bois de Boulogne, Porte de la Muette, Paris 16th www.petitchaletentreamis.com
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
Rosa bonheur – A bar-restaurant offering a modern take on the guinguette (open air cafe with dancing) at the parc des Buttes
Chaumont. www.risabonheur.fr
> Free Internet access in parks and gardens
Thanks to Paris Wi-Fi installed by the Paris City Council, it is now possible to get a free high-speed Internet
connection in parks and gardens in Paris. This service is available to everyone during park opening hours, and is
easily recognizable by a sign at the entrance of parks and gardens equipped with this facility. Green connections
to the rest of the world!
Details on: www.paris.fr
GREEN TRANSPORT
> Along the bus lanes
The proliferation of dedicated bus lanes throughout the city gives passengers a smooth ride on this pleasant mode
of transport, ideally suited to an exploration of the city. Furthermore, some routes follow perfect city sightseeing
itineraries, passing in front of the Louvre Pyramid or Opéra, through Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and connecting all
the fine historical districts of Paris.
More information on ratp.fr
> Walking tours
Strolling through the streets of Paris is surely the smartest and cheapest way to experience all the energy and
atmosphere of the French capital. For seasoned walkers, two way-marked hiking paths lead you across Paris
from north to south and east to west. Every third Thursday of the month, the Comité départemental for walking in
Paris organizes the Panamée, a walk in the city, over a distance of 7 km, from 7pm to 10pm, open to all and free,
and led by someone who recounts a story about the city.
Whether they are historical, on a specific theme or simply tailor-made to satisfy your curiosity, these walking
tours are a unique opportunity for authentic encounters with the city’s inhabitants.
Belleville… ça se visite - www.ca-se-visite.fr
La Panamée - www.rando-paris.org
Paris à pied - www.parisapied.fr
Paris Go - www.parisgo.fr
Paris par rues méconnues - www.paris-prm.com
Details on: www.parisinfo.com
> Take the tram
The modern Paris tramway was inaugurated at the end of 2006. This form of road transport is fast, modern and
comfortable. In 2012, there are now four tramway lines active in the Île-de-France region, all situated on the periphery of the city or in the nearby suburban areas. The tramway network continues to expand: existing lines are to
be prolonged (T1, T2, and T3) and new lines created (T5, 6, 7 and 8).
Details on: www.paris.fr
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
> Paris by bike, rollerblades or Segway
To explore Paris at your own pace, as free as a bird, you could try a bicycle, rollerblades, or even a Segway —a
nippy motorized stand-up scooter-like vehicle. The flexibility of these modes of transport makes visiting the city
simple, with an ever-increasing number of cycle paths available (more than 600 km planned for 2013!).
An innovative bicycle rental service has been operating in Paris since 15 July 2007: simple and efficient, Vélib’
adapts to all your needs for getting around the city. You pick up a bicycle in one station and drop it off at another.
This self-service system operates 24/24 and 7/7. It is present in all areas of the city, and the maximum distance
between stations is 300 m. Moreover, stations are more numerous close to major public transport centres or
public amenities. Available from 14 years up, the fleet of 15,000 bicycles will give you the chance to explore every
little corner of Paris, just like a true Parisian, but also to discover the Paris region beyond the city’s ring road as
Vélib’s are now also present in neighbouring communes 1.5 km from Paris.
It is also possible to have a guided tour of the capital by bicycle.
BHV Vélo - Stocks all the latest models, tandems, trailers for children, accessories and repairs. 40 rue de la Verrerie, Paris 4th –
M° Hôtel-de-Ville – Tel + 33 (0)1 42 74 97 23 - www.bhv.fr
Bicloune – Sells and remodels new, old and collectors’ bikes. 93 boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris 3rd – M° St-Sébastien Froissard
– Tel +33 (0)1 42 77 58 06 - www.bicloune.fr
City Segway Tours-Human Transporter - www.citysegwaytours.com
En selle Marcel - Sells beautiful bicycles and accessories. 40 rue Tiquetonne, Paris 2nd – M° Etienne-Marcel – Tel +33 (0)1 44 54 06 46
www.ensellemarcel.over-blog.com
Paris à vélo c’est sympa - www.parisvelosympa.com
Paris Charms and Secrets - www.parischarmssecrets.com
Paris Rando Vélo - www.parisrandovelo.com
Velib’ - www.velib.paris.fr
> Electric transport
Keeping the city clean applies to traffic too, and is actively encouraged in the capital. Private electric vehicles can
be charged up at numerous battery recharging terminals, available not only for electric cars but also for cuttingedge scooters and mopeds that function on this non-polluting energy. The RATP public transport authority is also
trying it out with the Montmartrobus, which tours the famous district around Sacré-Cœur.
Urban transport plan for Île-de-France: Details on: www. paris.fr
> Green taxis
Looking for a way to travel around Paris that’s stress-free and out in the open air? Thanks to the taxi-bicycles
circulating throughout the capital, this is now possible. Several companies offer this novel form of transport that
is practical, fast and eco-friendly. Simply hail them in the street and they will smoothly and safely take you to your
destination of choice in the city centre.
Committed to supporting measures for sustainable development, Paris has created a river transport service for
an ecological way of travelling across the city. There are several options for visitors and Parisians. The batobus is
a shuttle boat service with eight stops in the centre of Paris, giving access to historic sites like the Eiffel Tower, the
Musée d’Orsay, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, Notre-Dame, the Jardin-des-Plantes and even the Louvre.
free admission
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> Press file “Paris in all seasons” / Paris Green 2012 - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau - 03/05/12
A new boat service, named Voguéo, is the first river transport service for passengers. In the course of 2013, the
network should comprise 3 transport routes: line 1 from Vitry-sur-Seine to Invalides, line 2 from the Eiffel Tower
to Austerlitz and line 3 from Suresnes to the Musée d’Orsay.
Taxi-bikes
Cyclobulle - www.cyclobulle.com
Cyclopolitain - www.cyclopolitain.com
Mediacyclo - www.mediacyclo.com
Urban-Cab - www.urban-cab.com
River taxis
Batobus - www.batobus.com
Voguéo - www.vogueo.fr
More information on www.paris-ports.fr
> Eco-friendly cars
The trend is green for getting around in Paris by car, thanks to the increasing number of specialist car rental
companies or the freely available Autolib’ service.
Ecovisit - The Ecovisit Company provides hybrid cars as well as offering guided ecological visits for those who would like to
discover the capital from a sustainable development perspective. www.ecovisit.fr
Verture - The Verture Company has made it their guiding principal, offering eco-chic saloons with a driver, for making airport
transfers and other journeys environmentally friendly. Hybrid non-polluting vehicles, high-tech aboard, courteous and attentive
drivers — nothing is left to chance! www.verture.fr
Autolib’ – After the success of Vélib’, the self-service bicycle hire system operating throughout Paris and in some neighbouring
suburbs, next on the scene is Autolib’! Following the same principle, Autolib’ offers the possibility of hiring an environmentally-friendly vehicle, at any time of the day without any prior booking, to get around the city, for one hour or several days, 24/7.
Ranging from small city cars to larger SUVs, as well as long distance cars and minivans, all vehicles have been chosen for their
low energy consumption and reduced CO2 levels. There are even some hybrid models available. www.paris.fr
> Press contact
+33 (0) 1 49 52 53 27 – [email protected]
This press file has been produced in collaboration with Maïlys de Seze.
Photos: PCVB/Marc Bertrand, Nicky Bouwmeester, Amélie Dupont, David
Lefranc, Eric Lefeuvre, Marc Verhille.
free admission
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