Gardens of Paris: Oases of Tranquility

With over 390 public "green spaces" in Paris, you are never far from a garden to refresh your soul and offer a break from the bustle of the city.

Gardens in Paris come in all shapes, sizes and styles. There are the formal gardens such as the royal gardens of the Tuileries and the Luxembourg, sprawling greens such as the Champs du Mars and the garden at Invalides.

Small neighborhood gardens are found in almost every Quartier and plantings of flowers and roses adorn many a plaza.

You'll find gardens or Jardins (say "jar-dan") spread liberally throughout the city. During lunch time on a warm Summers day, the benches will be full with people from all walks of Paris life enjoying their meals, a good book, or taking little naps.

It is these green spaces that civilize the noise and bustle of the surrounding city and make Paris such an enjoyable place to spend time.

At either end of Paris are the great woods or Bois (say "bwaa). On the westside is the Bois de Boulogne. And on the East the Bois de Vincennes.

Take advantage of these places. The City of Paris has a 2.5 million euro budget for the flowers that it plants, and it makes for quite a sight no matter the season. Well, except for winter that is.

Some few reminders about the gardens to increase everyone's enjoyment: This first one is easy. Leave only footprints, right? We all know this one. Even though there is a veritable army of gardeners and platoons of men in green picking up trash, we need all do our part to keep things beautiful.

Traditionally the green lawns were for looking at not sitting on, but the French over the years have experience the pleasure of sprawling on the grass and feeling it in your toes and noses.

In many places the lawns can now be walked on and laid upon without causing scandal. You will still see many areas though where lounging on the grass is strictly verboten. Those signs that say "Pelouse Interdict"? That's "Keep off the Grass". You won't have to go far to find a place to stretch out so respect these areas.

Here is a listing of some of the more memorable jardins and parks in Paris. Follow the links for detailed information about each.

• Jardin des Tuileries
• Jardin de Luxembourg
• Jardin du Trocadero
• Jardin du Palais Royale
• Jardin des Plantes
• Jardin d'Acclimatation
• Bois de Bologne
• Bois de Vincennes
• Parc de Monceau
• Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
• Parc de la Vilette
• Parc Montsouris
• Forum des Halles
• Parc de Belleville