Visit Parc Monceau
Parc Monceau can be found in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. It is one of the most elegant parks in Paris and surrounded by impressive mansions.
Explore Parc Monceau
The park was created in the 17th century upon the orders of Phillippe d'Orleans, Duke of Chartres and designed by Louis Carrogis Carmontelle (a close friend of George IV of England).
The park covers eight hectares and has an English style, informal layout. In the park there is an 'Egyptian pyramid', Corinthian pillars (see photo) and a Dutch windmill. There are also many statues and there is a rotunda at its main entrance.
The statues feature some of France's leading figures including Guy de Maupassant, Alfred de Musset and Frederic Chopin.
During the Second Empire the size of the park was greatly reduced (to its current size) but in 1860 what remained was bought by the Paris council and re-designed by Baron Haussman.
Haussman put in two large avenues which cross in the centre.
He kept the various 'follies' listed above and planted plants from around the world.
The huge golden gates at the entrances were installed at this time and a cave created with artificial stalactites made of cement - the first of their kind.
This park is one of the prettiest in Paris, with lots of paths, ponds and stream. It is a popular jogging course and lots of wedding photos are taken here. The surrounding area is full of very pricey hotels.
Claude Monet painted five paintings in the Parc Monceau in 1876 and 1878. One of these can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of New York and one in the Sen-Oku-Hakukokan museum in Tokyo. The others are in private collections.
Parc Monceau garden guide
Park Monceau can be found in the 8th arrondissement of Paris at the junction of Rue de Prony, Rue Georges Berger and Boulevard de Courcelles. Access is from the Boulevard de Courcelles, Avenue Velasquez, Avenue Van Dyck and Avenue Ruysdael.
The garden is open all year round from sunrise to sunset with longer hours in the summer. There is a children's area in the park and also it is a free Wifi area.
Address: Parc Monceau, 75008 Paris. The metro station 'Monceau' is found at its main entrance - though in all there are 9 separate entrances. These are staffed by a watchman whose family have held the same role for 5 generations!
Gardens to visit nearby
Parc Monceau is close to the other parks of Paris and in particular the Jardin du Luxembourg with its Orangerie, and the Parc de Bagatelle which is part of the Botanic gardens of Paris.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Paris guide,
See also Find Parc Monceau hotels
Photos of Parc Monceau
Click any picture to start the gallery
Map of Parc Monceau and places to visit
Parc Monceau places to visit
Le Jardin du Luxembourg
A large French style garden and an Orangery with Mediterranean plants
Le Jardin du Luxembourg guide
Le Parc de Bagatelle
The Parc de Bagatelle is one of the four gardens that make up Paris' botanical garden
Le Parc de Bagatelle guide
Le Jardin des Plantes
Gardens and greenhouse in the 5th arrondissement of Paris.
Le Jardin des Plantes guide
Parc Floral de Paris
One of the four gardens making up the botanic garden of Paris and with large collections of rhododendrons and camillias
Parc Floral de Paris guide
Jardin Albert Kahn
The Albert-Kahn gardens are particularly known for their Japanese garden.
Jardin Albert Kahn guide
Gardens of the Palace of Versailles
The World-famous gardens of Versaille are simply splendid and are one of the best formal gardens in France.
Gardens of the Palace of Versailles guide
