Park Monceau is one of our most favorite places in the capital. Located in the heart of the classy 8th arrondissement and surrounded by ‘hôtels particuliers’ and residential buildings, Park Monceau has always been a favorite among the Parisians. Full of charm, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to add to your bucket list.
Built between 1773 and 1779, the garden was designed by painter and architect Carmontelle for Louis Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Chartres and cousin of French King Louis XVI. Park Monceau was originally a 20-hectare Anglo-Chinese garden with many follies: a Swiss farm, a Dutch windmill, a Chinese pagoda, an Egyptian pyramid, a Roman temple, … Some of these follies are still existing today. In 1861, Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand modified the park’ structure and it became the 8.4-hectare English-style park that we know today; the remaining land was sold to the brothers Pereire who created many hôtels particuliers around the park.
Park Monceau was painted by many famous artists, including Claude Monet who realized 5 beautiful paintings of the park.
What to see and what to do?
Walk through the park and admire its beautiful trees and well-maintained flower beds
The English-style park provides a charming and peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Park Monceau has magnificent trees, statues of famous French figures and large flower beds. This very elegant park is also a famous venue for wedding photography.
The Rotunda
Back in 1786, Paris was surrounded by a wall with a tax-collection function, the wall of the Fermiers Généraux. The rotunda of Park Monceau was built by architect Claude-Nicolas Ledouxas one of the 61 rotundas of this wall. It is one of the entrances of the Parc Monceau.
The Colonnade
“La Naumachie”, with its oval basin bordered by a Corinthian Colonnade, is the most famous feature of the park (it is also the most romantic). The Colonnade was probably built with the columns of the ancient rotunda of Valois, rotunda located near the Saint-Denis basilica and ordered by Catherine de Medici for her deceased husband King Henri II.
The Bridge
Inside the park, you can also find a small Italian-style stone bridge.
The Pyramid
Built between 1769 and 1773, this fake Egyptian Pyramid is here since the creation of the park.
The Arch
This Renaissance-style arch is a relic of the former Hôtel de Ville burnt down in 1871.
The Children playground & Traditional Carousel
Inside the park, you can also find a children playground and a beautiful traditional carousel.
Our opinion
Parc Monceau is a very charming park. There, you can discover many architectural curiosities, small alleys, a pretty basin surrounded by the colonnade and an impressive variety of plants. We love this park. Incontestably one of the prettiest in Paris. I highly recommend visiting and experiencing the beautiful Parc Monceau while you’re in Paris!
Where? In the 8th arrondissement, near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Arc du Triomphe. Main entrance at 35, boulevard Courcelles.
Access? Monceau station (Metro Line 2).
When? Every day | Opens from 7am and closes at 8pm to 10pm depending on the season.
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