Parks and gardens in Paris: Parc Floral de Paris

The Parc Floral de Paris, located in the Bois de Vincennes is more than just a public park and a botanical garden. Opened in 1969, this is a magical place that extends over the surface of 28 hectares and offers many interesting activities. Popular among the plant and nature lovers, the Parc Floral de Paris is great for long walks but also as an incredible playground for children. A mini golf course that you can find here is made as a miniature version of Paris, where each of the 18 holes represents one Parisian monument, from the Pantheon to the Eiffel Tower. And every summer, this park transforms into an amazing place where you can enjoy the sound of jazz music.

From military training ground to flower show

The Parc Floral de Paris was originally a royal park and a hunting domain. After the French revolution, the park was turned into a training ground for the soldiers. Even though Napoleon III later decided transform the Bois de Vincennes into a public park, the area of the future Parc Floral de Paris remained under the military control well after the World War II. In the late 1960s, on the occasion of the major international flower show called the “Floralies”, the City of Paris was looking for a place to house that event. And this is how the Parc Floral de Paris was established in 1969. Daniel Collin, the French architect in charge of the project, was assisted by several other planners for different parts of the garden: the valley of flowers, the sculpture garden, the water garden and the playground. The architecture of the Park is very much inspired by the Japanese style.

Festivals, salons and sculptures

The best way to enter the park is from the Chateau de Vincennes. This way you are passing through a forest of cedars and oaks to arrive at the Vallée des Fleurs (Valley of Flowers) where the variety of flowers is changing each year. Next to the Valley of Flowers is a lake, called the Miroir d'eau (water mirror) and there are smaller ponds devoted to different aquatic plants. The large outdoor concert stage, the Delta, faces and dominates the lake. In the Parc Floral de Paris you can also admire many sculptures of famous artists like Calder and Penalba. This park is also known for hosting many events during summers such as "Paris Jazz Festival". This open-air festival, founded in 1994, is a must event for all jazz music lovers. The Parc Floral de Paris also houses many other different events, such as "The nature and wine salon" where you can taste the wines of more than 80 independent wine producers from all over France.

Practical information

The Parc Floral de Paris is open every day during winters from 9.30 am to 5 pm and during summers from 9.30 am to 8 pm. The entrance is 2,50 euros from May to October, and it is free for the rest of the year. The mini golf is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and every day during the school holidays from 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm.