Gardens and outdoor spaces in Paris to beat the heat

Secret, rooftop, or botanical, the garden is the ideal refuge for a shaded break in peak summer months.  As compiled by Le Figaro Lifstyle, here is a list of the 10 latest and greatest places in the capital to find a bit of greenery this summer.

1. 88 Ménilmontant

Like last year, music venue La Bellevilloise has opened it’s seasonal terrace, 88 Ménilmontant, until September 30. In this good-natured atmosphere, feel free to play ping-pong or refresh yourself with sodas or cocktails offered in the bar. You can also party here: graffiti artists, musicians, and DJs animate the space all summer long.

88 Ménilmontant. 88 rue Ménilmontant (20th). Every day from 4 PM to 10:30 PM, weekends from noon to 11 PM

2. Hôtel Le Belleval

A large painted mural of flowers featuring summery shades of green and yellow adds a natural ambience to the courtyard within l’Hôtel Le Belleval. Bamboo stalks run along it’s walls, adding a bit of exotic flair.  Here you can just as well sit to work as to enjoy beautiful summer days and sunbathe at noon.

Hôtel Le Belleval. 16, rue de la Pépinière (8th). Tel. 01 85 73 36 45.

3. Le Jardin Suspendu

Located on the uppermost level of a parking garage, Paris’ largest rooftop bar has gone into summer mode, welcoming a verdant terrace until September 2.  Visitors are sure to appreciate the space’s natural delights thanks to the presence of lemon trees, olive trees, Japanese maples and cacti. With a maximum capacity of 1000 people, it’s the ideal place to enjoy the sun while sipping a cocktail.

Le Jardin Suspendu. 40, rue d’Oradour-sur-Glane (15th). Open to the public from Thursday to Sunday

4. Arboretum de Versailles-Chèvreloup

This arboretum, managed by the National Museum of Natural History, houses nearly 2,500 plant species on about 200 hectares. On a pedagogical level, it allows visitors to fully appreciate the beauty of nature all while discovering its wealth. Here is the ideal place to relax and escape from city life.

Arboretum de Versailles-Chèvreloup. 30, route de Versailles, Rocquencourt (78). Tel. 01 39 55 53 80.

5. Le Jardin Nourricier

La domaine de la Villette inaugurated its Jardin Nourricier on June 15. Created as part of a participatory project bringing together the inhabitants of the neighborhood, the garden is used to grow edible plants using responsible production methods. In July, various workshops (composting, recycling, etc.) will raise awareness about eco-responsibility.

Jardin nourricier. Domaine de la Villette, near l’Allée Belvedere (19th).

Le festival international des Jardins de Chaumont-sur-Loire hors les murs
Les Jardins de la pensee – Parcelle : Dans ma bulle
Delphine Esterlingot, paysagiste et Herve Paillot, architecte d’interieur

6. La Guignette d’Angèle

Move over, Nanashi, it’s now Angèle Ferreux-Maeght’s turn to regale the customers of the chic children’s fashion boutique, Bonpoint, as she installs her latest restaurant, La Guignette d’Angèle, in the courtyard.  Enjoy the calm of this shady French courtyard-garden as you sip juices and nibble salads, cookies, tartlets, and other organic, vegan and gluten free goodies.

La Guignette d’Angèle, Bonpoint. 6, rue de Tournon (6th). Tel. 01 43 26 01 06.

7. Propriété Caillebotte

Within the park on what once was the property of painter Caillebotte, lies a large vegetable garden maintained by volunteers. A collection of heirloom vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants, and an orchard, welcomes visitors on Sundays from 2 to 6:30 PM.

Propriété Caillebotte.  8, rue de Concy, Yerres (91). Tel. 01 80 37 20 61.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

8. Le Petit Pré

Until the end of October,  the newly renovated Longchamp Racecourse will play host to what is being termed Paris’ first “Food Garden”: a large, open green space where rotating chefs will face-off in grilling competitions (The Beast, Filakia, Pressing), while DJ sets, pétanque, yoga, horse races, and planned events for children entertain Parisians in need of greenery.

Le Petit Pré. 2, route des Tribunes (XVIe). Thursday and Friday from 6 PM to 2 AM, Saturday from noon to 2 AM, and Sunday from noon to 8 PM

9. Café du Musée de la Vie Romantique

After eight months of closure for renovation, le Musée de la vie romantique, located in the elegant Hôtel Scheffer-Renan, has just reopened. It is now the team of Brits at Rose Bakery (9th) who run the shaded tea room, with a lovely selection of quiches, scones, and carrot cakes to enjoy between the rose bushes, campanulas, and clematis plants.

Café du Musée de la Vie Romantique. 16, rue Chaptal (9th). Tel: 01 55 31 95 67.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

10. Paris City Parks

Last but certainly not least, the City of Paris will extend the morning opening of some of its parks to fully profit from extended daylight hours this summer. Martin-Luther-King Park (17th), Belleville Park (20th) and Kellerman Park (13th) are accessible from 7 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends. An added bonus: 40 of Paris’ city park pavilions will come alive this summer with scheduled classes, dances, and concerts.

To be noted as well: The City of Paris firmly intends to open additional green spaces of about 30 hectares by 2020. As detailed in an article on vivreparis.com, to achieve this goal, it was necessary for city planners to either create completely new spaces, open gardens that were not accessible to the public, or redesign existing gardens.

Before the capital gains nearly 30 hectares of additional green space, three spaces have already been made accessible to the public this summer: le jardin Truillot (11th), le jardin du Père-Armand-David (6th) et le parc Sainte-Périne (16th).

Le jardin Truillot opened on July 16th after a long-term renovation. The new park is 5,600 m²  and open day and night, with a vast lawn, flowers, fruit trees, a fresco wall, and 2 playgrounds for kids.

Moving down to the 6th arrondissement, le jardin du Père-Armand-David is a 500 m² garden belonging to the Congregation of the Mission, a fraternal society of Catholic priests and brothers.   Established in the arrondissement in 1817, the park has been refurbished and opened to the public. In the shade of newly planted plane and linden trees, this is an ideal place to spend a quiet moment.

And finally, le parc Sainte-Périne: extension works have created an additional 1.6 hectares of space.  A new promenade and tree-lined walking paths and lawns have given this park in the 16th arrondissement a breath of fresh air.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

For more information about summer events within Paris city parks and kiosques, visit the Parisian Parks and Gardens websites: www.paris.fr/jardins & www.paris.fr/kiosques