Parc de la Villette

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  • Address
    av Jean Jaurès, 19e
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  • Phone
    04 03 75 75
  • Website
  • Transport
    underground rail: Porte de la Villette; Porte de Pantin
bus: 75, 150, 152, 250A
  • 06:00 - 01:00

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Lonely Planet review

Opened in 1993, this 35-hectare park in the city's far northeastern corner stretches from the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie southwards to the Citeé de la Musique. It is the largest open green space in central Paris and has been called 'the prototype of the urban park of the 21st century'.

Split into two sections by the Canal de l'Ourcq, the park is enlivened by shaded walkways, imaginative street furniture, a series of themed gardens and fanciful, bright-red pavilions known as folies. There are 10 themed gardens/playgrounds, including the Jardin des Îles (Garden of Islands), Jardin des Bambous (Bamboo Gardens) and Jardin des Miroirs (Mirror Gardens). The best for kids are the Jardin du Dragon, with an enormous dragon slide, and the Jardin des Dunes (Dunes Garden), which is across from the Grande Halle, a wonderful old abattoir of wrought iron and glass now used for concerts, theatre performances, expos and conventions.