Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Outdoor Activity / Park

19eme, Paris –

Unlike the other perfectly groomed Parisian gardens, Buttes-Chaumont has a wild side in the form of untended plants and towering trees that encroach upon the meandering trails.

As one of the biggest parks in Paris, Buttes-Chaumont attracts its share of joggers, dog walkers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, sunbathers, and families, but beyond the usual activities, the park also offers a spectacular view of the city.

For the best panorama, guests make their way to the park’s beautiful central lake, and then to the historic Temple of Sybil – a stone gazebo modeled after an ancient Roman temple that sits atop the island in the middle of the water. A small bridge provides access to the island, where a series of steps winding through a cave leads to one of the most romantic lookout points in Paris.

The scenic park also offers horse and donkey rides, as well as long stretches of grass where athletic types often play football.

During the summer, the park even hosts a hopping little evening scene at the Rosa Bonheur café where, in addition to offering beer, wine, and takeaway picnic fare, the venue stays open past sundown on weekends with late-night DJs.

A welcome retreat from the urban scene, Buttes-Chaumont is ideal for anyone looking to get active in nature or just rest their buttes on the grass.