Last Updated: February 19, 2021

Price? Free.

Where? In the 19th arrondissement. Between Rue Manin, Rue de Crimée, Rue Botzaris and Avenue Simon Bolivar. 

Access? Buttes-Chaumont station or Botzaris station (Metro Line 7B) and Laumière station (Metro Line 5).

When? Every day. In winter: From 7am to 8pm. In summer: From 7am to 10pm.

The Buttes-Chaumont Park (‘Parc des Buttes-Chaumont’ in French, meaning ‘Chauve-Mont’ ~ ‘Bald hill’) is a 25-hectare public park located in the 19^th arrondissement, in the northeastern side of Paris. It is one of the 4 Parisian parks created by Emperor Napoleon III to offer the Parisians 4 major green spaces around the city: the Bois de Boulogne in the western part, the Bois de Vincennes in the eastern part, the Parc Montsouris in the southern part and the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the northern part. 

Opened in 1867, the English-style Park was designed by architect and engineer Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand. The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont was originally a former gypsum quarry. 

The park has a natural look unlike the other gardens in Paris, but it is entirely manmade. It imitates a mountain landscape with rocks, cliffs, a waterfall, a grotto, and hillside trails.

What to see and what to do? 

• The Lake, the Belvedere Island & the Temple de la Sybille

The 1.5-hectare lake is artificial. It has a 30-meter high island (Ile du Belvédère) on its center. The Temple de la Sybille, inspired by the temple of Vesta in Tivoli in Italy, is perched on the top of the island and dominates the park. From there, you can admire the fabulous views over the city.

• The grotto & its waterfall

On the southern side of the lake, there is a 14-meter large and 20-meter high grotto. It possesses an artificial waterfall and fake stalactites.  

• The 65m-long suspension bridge

Built by the man who created the Eiffel tower, Gustave Eiffel (Yes, the one and only!), a 65-meter long suspension bridge connects the island to the rest of the park.

• The Petite Ceinture railway line

The Petite Ceinture, an abandoned railway line closed since 1934, traverses the Park.

• The restaurants

The Rosa Bonheur is probably the most popular restaurant (guinguette type) in the park. It is a very friendly and laid-back restaurant. There are also two other restaurants inside the Park: ‘Pavillon Puebla’ and ‘Pavillion du Lac’.

Our opinion

Even though the park is man-made, the style of this park remains unique. It is totally off-the-beaten-path and you won’t see many tourists there. However, you’ll find a lot of locals on sunny days. A beautiful surprise in Paris! We highly recommend it. Worth to continue the visit to the Mouzaia district for a walk with a village-like feel in Paris.

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