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 unique urban refuge in Paris that has evolved from a former quarry and even an execution site into a cherished green space. Created during the mid-nineteenth century renovations led by Haussmann, the park transformed an abandoned hill into a picturesque setting with steep slopes, rocky cliffs, and a winding artificial lake. At the heart of the park sits Île du Belvédère, home to the Temple de la Sibylle, a small Roman-style monument inspired by classical architecture from Tivoli that offers stunning city views.
A striking suspension bridge, not designed by Gustave Eiffel, connects the island to the main park area, adding an unexpected element of engineering elegance. The landscape follows an English garden tradition with grottos, meandering paths, and a cascading waterfall that soars nearly thirty meters. Rustic café buildings designed by Gabriel Davioud, along with other charming structures, invite visitors to relax and enjoy leisure moments.
Today, the park is a dynamic meeting point where locals and visitors gather 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 reflect Paris’s long history of botanical experimentation, blending natural beauty with layers of history and urban art.
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