Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is one of Paris's hidden gems, not so well known by tourists, but loved by locals

Beautiful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont at dusk
Beautiful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont at dusk cc licensed photo by (vincent desjardins)

There are many great parks scattered throughout Paris but none is quite like Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. This park owes its uniqueness to an original thinking designer Baron Haussmann who designed the entire park with the aid of Adolphe Alphand, a well known landscape architect.

The area where the park now sits was an area that few visited, it was in fact originally an area reserved strictly for the execution of criminals and then at a later stage in its history it became a limestone quarry as well as a public dump. These facts alone make the park a prime example of how easily land that has been used for industrial purposes can be converted into something that is good for the public.

It was Napoleon the Third who decided that it should be converted into a park for the enjoyment of the working class in that area. The park is especially distinctive because the entire park is actually situated on a rocky outcrop that yields the best views of the city of Paris and is therefore one of Parisians' favourite parks to stroll through or just spend time relaxing in.

In designing the park the Baron Haussmann decided on some very radical and revolutionary design techniques. For example, he decided to use dynamite as a sculpting and land shaping technique with some very dramatic and interesting results. The park features a 32 metre waterfall and on top of the cliff is a small temple inspired by the Roman temple to the goddess Sybil.

The park, which stretches for 24 hectares features a both a suspension bridge and a slightly notorious suicide bridge over thirty feet above the ground. There is an accumulated total of around five kilometres worth of walkways and paths to guide you through the beautiful gardens located around the park. There is even a little grotto. All of these features combine to make the park the third largest built this way in Paris. The park is quite easy to get to and there are in fact two Metro entrances leading to the park, namely Botzaris and Buttes Chaumont. There are also a number of exotic species of tree, many of them Asian, such as the Himalayan Cedars, Byzantine Hazelnuts and Siberian elms, to name but a few.

Nearby attraction: Canal Saint Martin

Facts For Your Visit

Official Website: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Fee: No

Closed Now

Regular Hours:
Hours may be subject to change. Please verify on the official website.

  • Monday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Thursday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Friday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Saturday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Sunday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Category: Parks

Address: 1 rue Botzaris
75019 Paris
France

Reviews

Yelp Rating:
4.5 out of 5 4.5 Star Rating
Based on 184 Reviews.

See all reviews on Yelp

5 Star Rating Each time I go to France, I love exploring different regions and neighborhood. This time, we rented a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment in the Bellville... Read More

Maria P. Jul-14-2017

5 Star Rating There are much more locals than tourists here. The park (opened in 1867) is really beautiful but it is less popular among visitors comparing to top Paris... Read More

Andrew C. May-06-2015

5 Star Rating A bit off the beaten track but easily accessible via the Paris Metro, this park is beautiful. Built into an old quarrey, the park is immaculately... Read More

Jim B. May-10-2015

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Directions

Metro / RER Line Nearest Station Walking Time
M7 + M7 bisButtes Chaumont 0 minutes
M5Laumière5 minutes
M11Pyrénées6 minutes

How to get to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont by Metro / RER

By Metro: Via Metro Line 7 go to Louis Blanc Station and transfer to the M7bis to Buttes Chaumont Station. The park entrance is just ahead of the exit on your right. Via Metro Line 5 go to Laumière Station; exit and walk straight south along Avenue de Laumière to the park entrance. Via Metro Line 11 ride to Pyrénées Station; exit onto Avenue Simon Bolivar and follow it north west to the park gate.

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The start of a new day in beautiful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

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