Napoleon III had this former royal forest redesigned in the 1850s, inspired by London's Hyde Park, into the sprawling green space that now covers nearly 850 hectares on the city's western edge — larger than New York's Central Park. Lakes, gardens, riding paths, and two racecourses fill it, along with the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a striking modern art museum near its eastern entrance.
- Rent a rowboat on Lac Inférieur, the park's largest lake, for a quiet hour away from the city entirely
- The Fondation Louis Vuitton, designed by Frank Gehry, hosts major contemporary art exhibitions inside a dramatic glass structure
- The Bagatelle gardens hold one of the world's great rose collections, best visited in June when they're in full bloom
- Hours
- Park always open, gardens and attractions have separate hours
- Price
- Park free; Fondation Louis Vuitton and Bagatelle gardens charge entry
- Tip
- This park is genuinely large — decide on one or two specific things to see rather than trying to wander it all.
Nearby
- F Fondation Louis Vuitton · museum
- J Jardin de Bagatelle · garden
- R Roland-Garros stadium · sports venue