Audio GuideParc Montsouris
Park created under Napoléon III & inspired by parks in London, popular with local students.
Park
Paris, France
Parc Montsouris is a historic public park in Paris that invites visitors to experience both nature and history. Once a busy stone quarry with hidden mine tunnels, this site was transformed during the nineteenth century into a leafy retreat for city dwellers. Under the guidance of Emperor Napoleon III and the visionary prefect Haussmann, the park became part of Paris’s grand urban renewal.
Designed in an English landscape style, the park offers winding paths, wide lawns, and a large artificial lake complete with a gentle cascade. The planners arranged trees such as horse-chestnuts, cedars, weeping beeches, and even rare varieties like ginkgo and silk trees to create charming, natural vistas. Waterfowl glide on the lake, while turtles bask on the stony shores.
Historically, Parc Montsouris has witnessed remarkable events. It hosted one of the first weather stations in France, a detail celebrated worldwide today. The park also displays cultural treasures like a music kiosk built for an international electricity show, a replica of the Palais du Bardo inspired by Tunisian architecture, and the Column of Armed Peace. Over time, films, literature, and music have echoed its beauty, making it a popular meeting place for both locals and visitors.
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