Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

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

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