Parc Monceau

There are many beautiful parks and gardens throughout the city of Paris. One of the most delightful parks that I regularly visit is the charming Parc Monceau.

Where is it located? And how do you get there?

This enchanting park is frequented by many of the inhabitants of Paris, mainly due to its location. It is situated in the 17th arrondissement, on Courcelles boulevard. This ginormous park is located right between two significant Parisian landmarks, the Arc de Triomphe and Sacre de Coeur. Parc Monceau can be accessed by taking Metro line 2 or the RER A (red line). If you take line 2, you need to board the train heading towards Nation and get off at the Monceau stop. And the park is only a two-minute walking distance of the exit. If you decide to take the RER instead, just make sure to get off at the Charles de Gaulle Etoile station and from there, it is a 20-minute walk to the park. It is quite a long walk but if you want to stroll the streets of Paris and delight in the stunning Parisian architecture, then this option is without a doubt for you!

When I say Parisian architecture, many of your minds will go straight to the word, "Haussmann". Many of the apartment buildings surrounding Parc Monceau have the famous Haussmann style, gorgeous limestone facades and cute balconies, which undoubtedly steal traveler's hearts.

In the 17th arrondissement, you can also catch a glimpse of the red brick apartments as well. These buildings were commonly built before the Haussman limestone apartments were introduced to the city. The hanging flowery sunny window boxes give these rather dull buildings a nice touch.

Surrounding Parc Monceau, you can also find many buildings plastered with fashion advertisement posters, which surely give you that urban, city feeling. These posters are also a reminder that you are in the fashion capital of the world!

How long has Parc Monceau been around for?

This beautiful park was constructed in the 1770's so it is actually one of the oldest gardens to exist in the city of Paris. The reason why it is quite special and stands out from the other parks is that its layout is not that of the typical, French-style gardens. King Louis XIV's cousin, who ordered this garden to be built wanted it to resemble English-style parks.

Why is Parc Monceau worth checking out?

This is a perfect destination if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It is also not very touristy so you would be able to get an authentic experience of how the local Parisians live. You will be able to witness French inhabitants and families hanging out at the gardens, and this would be a great opportunity to people-watch! And, perhaps, pick up some French as well!

Monceau park has several entrances which are very romantic and chic! The towering iron gates with gold touches definitely make you feel like you are stepping into royal grounds. The gardens also have many different features, which make it a great well-rounded place for all kinds of people. For instance, it is the ideal place for families. There is a big green space shaded by a few enormous trees, which makes for a great picnicking area. One of the big trees is also perfect for climbing and exploring! There is also a lovely playground, which has all the fun playground equipment children enjoy. And, for a small charge, there are also a few amusement rides available for little ones. What is a Parisian park without its carousel, right? Also, you can find adorable ponies which children can ride for a small cost.

Another reason this park is great is that it is the perfect place for those who regularly exercise. There is a huge sidewalk that encircles the park and it is excellent for those who run and jog. I also often see trainers and others working out by the skateboarding and rollerblading rink. Also, an important thing to note is that there are numerous water fountains available throughout the gardens, which can come in handy to quench thirsts.

I mainly love strolling this park because it is a great escape from the commotion of touristy Paris. I enjoy sitting on one of the many benches of the park and getting lost in a good read. I especially love sitting by the lake where there are some cute ducks and fish to feed, and just relishing in the peacefulness of the green nature around me. The park also has WIFI hot spots. So sometimes I take advantage of the free WIFI and bring my laptop to get some work done.

The park also features some spectacular sculptures and architectural pieces throughout its grounds. One of them is this stunning example of an ancient collonade, which has been around for centuries thanks to renovation.

Is Park Monceau safe?

These gardens are situated in one of the nicest and safest neighborhoods and arrondissements of Paris. It is actually pretty bourgeois if I must say. Similar to other gardens in the city, Parc Monceau also closes around sunset, which means nobody is hanging around during late hours. There are usually park monitors walking around the gardens so safety and security are not really a concern.

However, with that being said, on one of my visit this early spring, I did notice some graffiti on the playground equipment, which was not there the week prior. I think this is unusual for the park and the area. I am happy to report that the graffiti was removed the following week. Aside from this incident, I have never questioned the security of the park so I am confident it is a pretty safe area.

All in all, I would not say Parc Monceau is a place to go out of your way for but it is definitely worth a visit if you live in Paris or are visiting for a longer period of time.

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