Parc Monceau

Parc Monceau

Leave the bustling Avenue des Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe behind you, take a pleasant 900 metre walk down the wide Avenue Hoch.

Enter through the grand, gold filagree gates and you will discover this peaceful and charming park, Parc Monceau.

Located in the 8th arrondissement, the park offers some respite from the crowds and an opportunity to admire some of the surrounding grand mansions.

 

Commissioned by King Louis XVI’s cousin, The Duke of Chartres; Philippe d’Orléans and completed in 1779, the park was much larger than the park you see today.

 

Initially, containing architectural follies, or extravagant buildings that were to represent different places around the globe, some of these items included,  an Italian vineyard, a Dutch windmill, and a minaret, only a few of the features remain today.

 

One of which is the enchanting lily pond, surrounded by ‘Roman’ columns, and a small replica of an Egyptian pyramid.

 

Time moved on and a new city wall was constructed along one edge of the park.

 

A circular rotunda was built to act as a customs house and the Duke of Chartres resided in the apartment on the top floor, allowing him views of the park.

By 1793 and after The Duke had voted for his cousin Louis XVI’s execution, he, himself was guillotined and the park became the property of the city of Paris.

 

Around 1815, the park was halved, when the Dukes family, who by this time had regained ownership and sold parcels of land to developers who built some of the grand mansions you see surrounding the park today and the city of Paris, bought back the remaining area.

In 1861, during Baron Haussmann’s redevelopment of Paris, he constructed two long wide boulevards leading to the park, to allow horse and carriages easy access.

Today you will find sculptures of French figures, such as Chopin and the refurbished circular rotunda  (MAP)

This is a lovely, tranquil park, much smaller and less populated than the big Jardin des Tuileries and the Luxembourg Gardens.  Here tourists are replaced with local joggers and families.  

It is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, with a coffee from the Kiosk and a quiet stroll.

 

If you have found this information helpful please thank me by leaving a comment or following me on facebook for daily photos, tips and anecdotes –   Merci !

 

Paris Adèle’s Information Necessaire :

Parc Monceau
Entrances :
Main with rotunda – Boulevard de Courcelles,
Rue de Prony and Rue Georges Berger
Shortest route from Arc de Triomphe via Ave Hoch  MAP
 
Nearest Metro
Monceau
 
Facilities
Kiosk
Toilets
Childrens Play area
Free Wi-Fi
Free Entry
 
 
You can read about my visit to Parc Monceau below
 
Select a CategoryCooking ClassesCovered PassagewaysParks & GardensSupper Clubs
  • Parc Monceau
    Parc Monceau
    Only a short stroll from the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe with a pretty lily pond and surrounded by elegant homes.
  • Luxembourg Gardens
    Luxembourg Gardens
    Most Parisians will tell you the Luxembourg Gardens is their favourite park, it is easy to guess why.
  • Jardin des Tuileries
    Jardin des Tuileries
    The Tuileries history unfolds like a terrific saga. Once home to a Palace, Kings and Queens, a riding school, menagerie, hunting, fire and massacre.
  • Secret Garden Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu
    Secret Garden Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu
    A secret garden in an unusual location, right in the centre of Paris that thousands of tourists pass by each day without knowing it exists.
  • Le Cordon Bleu
    Le Cordon Bleu
    Slip on the starched white apron, ensure you shout oui chef and be prepared to be taken on a culinary experience in this world famous institution.
  • La Cuisine Paris
    La Cuisine Paris
    I was assigned a small chicken to de-bone, all the while, learning knife and chopping techniques.
  • Dinner with Jim Haynes
    Dinner with Jim Haynes
    If you are looking for a unique experience and fancy the idea of having dinner in a private home in Paris ...
  • Le Passage des Princes
    Le Passage des Princes
    Amber lamps, giving off a warm, golden glow, with a beautiful glass ceiling, the entire passageway is dedicated to toys.
  • Passage Verdeau
    Passage Verdeau
    Explore antiques, rare books and vintage postcards beneath the elegant, neoclassical, glass ceiling, then continue over the road to Passage Jouffroy.
  • Passage Jouffroy
    Passage Jouffroy
    Sift through old books at the famous bookstore; Librairie Paul Vulin as you walk upon geometric black, white and grey tiles and discover the quaint Hotel Chopin.
  • Passage des Panoramas
    Passage des Panoramas
    Built in 1799 and inspired by the Oriental Souks, Passage des Panoramas is one of the oldest passageways in the world.
  • Passage du Caire
    Passage du Caire
    A unique façade, a magnificent glass ceiling, 360 metres in length, Passage du Caire is the oldest and longest Passage in Paris
  • Passage du Grand Cerf
    Passage du Grand Cerf
    Natural light drenches this elegant passageway from its 12 metre high glass ceiling with unique boutiques.
  • Passage du Prado
    Passage du Prado
    Rarely mentioned in travel guides, with not a tourist in sight, this unique passage was once in the heart of fashionable Paris.
  • Passage du Bourg l’Abbé
    Passage du Bourg l’Abbé
    Subtle and elegant pastel interior, muted by natural light from the unusual curved glass ceiling.
  • Passage de l’Ancre
    Passage de l’Ancre
    Who would know a delightful, tranquil little piece of paradise could be hidden away behind an unassuming crooked doorway in the heart of Paris.
  • Square Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur
    Square Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur
    Hidden away behind the Hôtel du Grand Veneur in the Marais is a little known secret square with a surprising artistic connection.
 
 

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