This Parisian park is famous for a reason: it boasts some of the best views in Paris— all while feeling like an exotic escape in the middle of the city. The Buttes-Chaumont Park opened in 1867 and was built on 61 acres of lime and gypsum quarries. These same quarries provided the stone for buildings in Paris as well as in the United States. This is why the park’s signature landscape is steep and sloping. Throughout the park, you’ll find hidden waterfalls, caves, and an artificial lake at the center of it all.
You’ll definitely want to spend the better part of an afternoon exploring this massive park. A 63-meter long suspension bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1867, allows you to access the island in the middle of the lake. Make sure to hike up to the top of the island’s mount where there is a miniature veranda modeled after the ancient temple of Vesta in Rome. From this point, you get a stunning 360-view of the surrounding neighborhoods. After hiking up an appetite, find a quiet space on a hill and enjoy a picnic lunch.
On hot afternoons, many Parisians will lounge in the park until nightfall, taking full advantage of the breeze and shade from the trees. Do the same and make sure to pack an extra-cold rosé with plenty of ice cubes to last you all day.