Paris Outdoor Activities: 10Best Outdoors Reviews

Named after the prince who would one day be King Louis XIII, this picturesque enclosed square is a local favorite for playing petanque on warm summer afternoons. During the holiday season it is festooned with tall Christmas trees, decorated with seasonal ribbons and bows.

Some historical notables to be conscious of, though while you gaze around at this movie-set like enclosed Parisian square: In front of what is N° 26 Place Dauphine today, is where Jacques de Molay, commander of the Knights Templar, was burned alive along with his men-in-arms on 11th, March 1314. And at N°15 is where French movie stars, Yves Montand and Simone Signoret once called home.

When seated up on the slightly elevated area underneath the chestnut trees facing inwards towards the square, it is the Palais de Justice that is the regal building behind you.

This garden-park and walkway along the Left Bank of the Seine is commonly referred to as the Outdoor Sculpture Museum. All along the 2 km. pathway there are sculptures ‘en plein air’ (outdoors) that are sure to grab your attention.

The other things that are sure to grab your attention are the magnificent swatches of planted flower beds and gardens that the resident gardening team outdo themselves cultivating. For a recent city-wide gardening competition they themed several of their garden patches ‘Legends and Tales’ and constructed a Hobbit House and even an enchanted garden full of red dahlias, craven old withered black branches and other magical foliage.

In the summer this is the spot to be in the afternoons when large groups of people gather spontaneously to ballroom dance. the cul-de-sac sunken platforms along the Seine here offer perfect dance floors and people regularly take full advantage of them.

The accurate name of this outdoor market used to be Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux Cité. That translates to (Ile de la) Cité Flower and Bird Market, which has been in this same spot since 1808. But most people refer to it just as the Flower Market, or the Marché aux Fleurs. However, this centuries old flower market was renamed recently in honor Queen Elizabeth II. At any rate, the birds are only there on Sundays, when they are displayed in their fine gilt cages, including some of the rarest of species.

The Paris flower market offers visitors a bucolic walk through Belle Epoque pavillions overflowing with flowers of every color, variety, scent and size. It’s open nearly every day throughout the year, though some vendors close on Mondays. The iron green pavillions dating from 1900 have been the subject of many sketches and paintings throughout the ages.

Get a kick out of walking along an old viaduct and train line that is elevated to the level of the building rooftops you pass. Only pedestrians and bicycles are allowed on this ancient pathway that spans 4.7 km (just about 2 miles) lined with hazelnut and lime trees connecting the Bastlle with the Bois de Vincennes (Porte Dor�e).

When the train line ran, its end station was where the Op�ra de la Bastille now stands today. This tree-lined, wide pathway has you walking across numerous foot bridges and past several spacious green spaces where you can stop and picnic or just relax with a book, or both.

This is one of those gorgeous outdoor activities that not a lot of tourists think to do. It’s a fun walk or bike ride in either direction, going to or from the Bastlle/ Bois de Vincennes.

From the street-level, this appears to be another charming Parisian park where kids can play in the little playground while their parents gossip and/or read a book. And in that sense, appearances would not be misleading.

But what this unassuming park, just across the street from the landmark Garage de l’Ile St.-Louis, gives access to, is the fairly isolated little open-air space down along the lower quay. In fact, you may live in Paris for years before you discover this hidden stairwell that gives access to the area below, favored by locals for sunning themselves in the summer months.

Along one side of the Quai, you overlook the Quai St.-Bernard. Walk out to the tip and continue down along the other side, and now you are overlooking the Quai Henri IV. Depending on the time of day, one is either shaded or in the sunshine, you choose your pick.

In the late 18th century, Parc Monceau was created on the Monceau plain for the Duke of Chartres. It was filled with water features, statues and architectural elements from many other cultures, including a recreated pagoda and Roman temple. Visitors can take time to admire a windmill, a pyramid or simply wander through medieval ruins. The park became public domain after the French Revolution. In recent years it has become the default jogging track for well-heeled Parisians who live in the surrounding uppercrust neighborhoods of the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements. In the mornings and evenings the perimeter path turns into a jogging track and workout zone. METRO: Monceau

On a quiet little Latin Quarter street between the Seine fronting Notre Dame Cathedral and the fresh market of Maubert-Mutualité, is this gem-like oasis of a garden park. Small by Parisian standards, it is also not well known and therefore often you will find yourself alone nestled here on a park bench, surrounded by ancient stone wall buildings, trees and blooming flowers.

In other words, this is one of the most ideal places to which to retreat with a book in hand and sunshine on your shoulder. The garden is planted with cyprus trees, symbol of immortality. And there is also one cherry tree. The street takes its name from one of the streams that flowed along this trajectory in ancient times and served to source the St.-Victor Abby with fresh water.

This enclosed garden at the Western tip of the Ile de la Cité takes its name from the nickname, ‘vert-galant’ of King Henri IV (born a Bourbon). It was indeed once royal lands, and for centuries served as the private gardens of French Kings & Queens when they still resided in the neighboring Sainte-Chapelle palace.

To access the square you first orient yourself towards the larger-than-life equestrian bronze statue of King Henri IV that graces the midway point of Pont Neuf. Behind the statue are stairwells on either side that descend to the lower level of the Quai, where this garden is located. It’s also where the Vedettes de Paris, the river cruise boats are. Intriguingly, this ground level a few feet above the Seine where the garden still stands, once was the level of the entire Ile de la Cité, a good 7 meters below where it is now.

Stretching between the Louvre and place de la Concorde, this garden originally dates to 1564, when Catherine de Medici had it constructed as a reminder of her home in Italy. Historically, it marked one of the first times that Paris displayed beauty and elegance outdoors rather than only inside. It took its present layout by Andr— Le Nôtre during the reign of Louis XIV. Boasting gravel paths, avenues of lovely trees and numerous sculptures, both historic and modern, the garden is a peaceful place to spend an afternoon, or to come for lunch when visiting the Louvre as there are several outdoor caf—s and restaurants. In summer there is a big funfair.

Summer of 2014 was the first season people really got to enjoy this daring urban planning escapade undertaken by the city of Paris. What once was a freeway where speeding cars raced along the river embankment, is now a completely pedestrian zone.

This little playground in particular is a popular spot. It is easily accessed since it is just below the Hotel de Ville and offers views directly onto the Ile St. Louis. There is an outdoor café that serves crepes and cold drinks on fair weather days. The playground is reserved for kids under 12 so this is definitely a family-friendly zone. What’s more, with its riverside seats, parents can socialize against one of the most storybook backdrops you’ll find anywhere in the world.