Audio GuideParc Monceau
Public park with trees, tarmac trails & statues plus 18th-century colonnade & pyramid follies.
Park
Paris, France
Parc Monceau is a charming public park nestled in the heart of Paris in the eighth arrondissement. Established in the late eighteenth century by Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Chartres, the park was designed by the painter and writer Louis Carrogis Carmontelle to surprise and delight visitors with its eclectic mix of structures. Today, you will find a miniature Egyptian pyramid, a Roman colonnade, a Dutch windmill, a Tatar tent, a Swiss farm, and other exotic follies that evoke distant cultures and eras.
The park’s design creatively blends elements of the English, Anglo-Chinese, and traditional French styles. Winding paths lead you past scaled-down architectural wonders and a circular rotunda known as the Pavilion de Chartres, designed by Claude Nicolas Ledoux. This area once served as a customs house and private retreat for the Duke. Notably, Parc Monceau was also the site of the first silk parachute jump by André-Jacques Garnerin, marking an exciting moment in its history.
Over time, during Paris’s urban transformation led by Baron Haussmann, Parc Monceau evolved while preserving its historical structures. Statues honoring famous French writers and musicians add a cultural ambiance that continues to attract art and literature enthusiasts. With playgrounds, free Wi-Fi, and easy access by metro and bus, the park remains a beloved destination where the rich tapestry of Parisian history meets modern leisure.
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