This is the way to live! Fresh air, plenty of exercise and an abundance of art. I'm a huge fan of…read moreclassical sculpture and this was a magical part of my trip to Paris. Most of the sculptures are either Biblical or Greco-Roman themed. There's seating around a giant fountain, a playground for little ones and a few places to buy food.

Unlike the gated Jardin du Luxembourg, it would be hard to miss Jardin des Tuileries for a…read morefirst-time visitor to Paris because it's smack dab in the middle between two iconic destinations, the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. The question is whether you'd want to come back as a more seasoned Francophile tourist. Despite being constantly overcrowded, the answer is definitely yes. This has been the definitive green space that has epitomized classic garden architecture since the 16th century. The fountains, geometric layout, the Musee de l'Orangerie, and ornate statues by the likes of Rodin and Maillol give it the traditional French style we come to expect in Paris. It's also an unquestionable hub for social activity with playgrounds and sailboats on the Grand Bassin. Unfortunately, Jamie W and I weren't here during one of the seasonal events like the summer Fête des Tuileries when a carnival midway is set up, or Paris Fashion Week when runways are built and celebrities flock in frocks, or the Christmas market. The most prominent landmark when we visited was the Paris Cauldron, the mammoth epicentral sphere built for the 2024 Paris Olympics (Photo 6). RELATED - Exploring Paris? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/8duZBo1xLB

Free public art in Paris, France…read more.. Our friend was so excited to share this landmark... The Wall of Love Le Mur des je t'Aime is translated to The Wall of I Love Yous... (plural) It features the phrase, "I love you" in many different languages. On 5.11.26, it was still being repaired, so the English phrase was blocked from view. Maybe when we visit again, we'll be able to see it! Notes: we found free street parking a couple of blocks away. On the way to The Wall, we passed many shops and a carousel!

I visited the Wall of "I Love You" in Montmartre while exploring the Abbesses neighborhood in…read moreParis. It is a small but meaningful landmark tucked inside Square Jehan Rictus, just steps from the Abbesses metro station. The installation is composed of deep blue tiles covering an entire wall with the phrase "I love you" written in more than 250 languages. Seeing the same message expressed in so many languages creates a simple but powerful visual statement about love and connection across cultures. The design is minimalist but thoughtful. The white handwritten text contrasts beautifully with the dark blue background, while small red fragments scattered across the wall symbolize pieces of a broken heart that humanity can reunite through love. Although the site itself is not large, it carries a quiet charm that fits perfectly with the artistic atmosphere of Montmartre. Visitors often stop to find their own language on the wall or take photos in front of the installation. Overall, the Wall of "I Love You" is a small but memorable stop in Paris. It may not take long to visit, but it captures a poetic and symbolic moment that reflects the romantic spirit often associated with the city.

Not the biggest garden in Paris, but a favorite stop for my studying-abroad nephew, the Royal…read morePalace gardens was another stop in his guide to showing me his favorite places. We had picked up some onigiri and decided to eat them here on a park bench. It was December, so the park was relatively empty, giving us plenty of places to sit. It was cold so didn't stay very long, but just knowing how much he liked this place makes me want to come back and stay a bit longer (when the weather is nicer).

We came across this jardin serendipitously. That happens a lot in Paris--you're on your way to a…read moremuseum or restaurant, turn a corner, and *poof* you are somewhere cool. It is absolutely worth planning to stroll through these jardins, though, and close as they are to the Louvre and other landmarks, there really is no reason to not plan. Around the perimeter of the jardin, there are some lovely little shops to peek into. Art, antiques--many things to admire! At the far end, the one closest to the river, are the famous striped columns that you see in so many photos. (Yes, they are totally Instagrammable!) If you would prefer something calmer, stay on the far end, which is quiet and green. It's really a nice little pause.

From the owner: Un joli square bordé d'immeubles haussmanniens Ce square occupe l'emplacement de l'ancien hameau…read moredes "Porcherons" qui regroupait autrefois des maisons de campagne et des métairies. Au XVIIIè siècle, les cabarets et gargotes envahissent les lieux, avant les grandes modifications du Second Empire. Des maisons sont alors rasées, de nouvelles rues ouvertes, et l'église ainsi que le square sont créés. Cette place porte aujourd'hui le nom d'un héros de la Résistance, fusillé par les Allemands.

It's a much smaller park than you can see in the picture…read more I arrived at my destination early so I stopped by a short break. For some reason, it is comfortable and has a gentle atmosphere. It is a good memory that the fountain flew away when I was sitting on the bench and got wet.

From the owner: Le paradis des rêveurs Le parc, ancien lieu-dit d'un moulin démoli, est le refuge idéal des rêveurs…read moreet des poètes. On admire la vue imprenable sur le Sacré-Coeur et le quartier Montmartre. Car les jardins en colimaçon se déroulent sur plusieurs étages ; une aire de jeux pour les enfants et les mamans, en contrebas un terrain de boules, et en haut, les deux pergolas entremêlées de branchages fleuris. Sur le petit amphithéâtre et sur les marches de pierre, les étudiants se reposent. Ici, comme rarement à Paris, on entend les oiseaux, on peut rester la tête dans les nuages... aussi longtemps qu'on veut.

Worth dropping by if you're in the neighborhood, but the place is mainly fenced off and it's…read moreinteresting just because it's only vineyard left in this neighborhood and it has an interesting history. That said, it's a beautiful little place. You can get closer to it through the Montmartre museum which is adjacent.

It's coming up... that huge October party for the harvest fête! Rue Lamarck is gonna get plugged up…read morequite soon, and all for good reason. Merci beau coup, monsieur Francisque Poulbot, mister illustrator who helped to save the vineyards from being sold to developers in the 1930's. There remains only 2 vineyards in Paris city, and how lucky for me that I was able to walk right by them, during a wonderful sunrise morning. Not open to the public, these vines yield an approximate 500 bottles of red Clos Montmartre wine, whose bottles are then decked out by local artistes! aint that just too cool? PS. if possible, walk south along Rue des Saules (see the murals, Lapin Agile, the vines, St vincent cimetiere, etc), then turn left onto Norvins or Saint-Rustique (as I did) to get to Place du Tertre and Sacre Coeur.

This is a nice, big playground where all ages can find something to do (not necessarily all under…read moresupervision simultaneously, though). There is a big rope web climbing structure, slides of multiple sizes, a big sandbox, spring-powered sit-on riding things for little ones, and more. There are also plenty of paths, benches, and garden areas for adults to enjoy. People can play various games on small enclosed courts as well. This is a perfect place to spend an hour or two with the kids. It is busy in the after school, pre-dinner snack time, with plenty of room for all.