Audio GuideParc des Buttes-Chaumont
19th-century park in former quarry, with tall trees, lake, waterfalls and old, iron railway bridge.
Park
Paris, France
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a distinctive urban retreat in Paris, which has transformed from a former quarry and even an execution site into a beloved green space. Developed as part of the mid-nineteenth-century renovations overseen by Haussmann, the park transformed a neglected hill into a picturesque setting with steep inclines, rocky cliffs, and a winding artificial lake. Central to the park is Île du Belvédère, where the Temple de la Sibylle, a small Roman-style monument inspired by the classical architecture of Tivoli, provides breathtaking views of the city.
A remarkable suspension bridge, not the work of Gustave Eiffel, links the island to the main park area, introducing an unexpected touch of engineering elegance. The landscaping follows the tradition of English gardens, featuring grottos, winding paths, and a cascading waterfall that reaches nearly thirty metres. Rustic café structures designed by Gabriel Davioud, along with other charming buildings, invite visitors to unwind and enjoy leisure time.
Today, the park serves as a vibrant meeting place for locals and tourists, who gather here for picnics, cultural events such as the Silhouette Short Film Festival, and a daily escape into nature. Exotic trees like Himalayan cedars and giant sequoias are a testament to Paris’s rich history of botanical experimentation, seamlessly blending natural beauty with layers of history and urban art.
Listen to this and other guides in app
