Autumn colors in Paris’s 13th arrondissement: Parc Montsouris and walks

In autumn, Parc Montsouris turns gold and copper, and the 13th becomes one of the loveliest corners of Paris for a peaceful stroll. Here is when to come, where to look, and how to combine Montsouris with the area’s other green spots.

When the colours are at their best

The most beautiful shades generally appear from mid-October to mid-November, depending on that year’s weather. Pick a sunny late afternoon: the low autumn light sets the foliage ablaze and stretches the shadows across the lawns. In the morning, mist over the lake creates a completely different, softer atmosphere. On weekdays, the park is much quieter than at weekends.

Parc Montsouris, the 13th’s landscaped gem

Laid out in the 19th century, during the Second Empire, by the engineer Alphand, Montsouris is an English-style landscaped park: winding paths, vast lawns, tall trees of many species and a lake that attracts birds and walkers alike. This variety of trees explains the richness of its autumn colours, from bright yellow to deep red. You can settle by the water, climb the sloping lawns or let the children run around: it’s a park made for wandering.

Extending your walk in the neighbourhood

Montsouris is just the beginning. A few streets away, the Cité Florale is lined with little lanes of houses and small gardens that take on lovely colours in autumn. The more secluded Square René-Le-Gall offers another quiet patch of greenery. And heading up towards the Butte-aux-Cailles, you go from cobblestones to café terraces for a warm break at the end of your walk. Enough for a whole half-day without leaving the 13th.

B55, less than ten minutes from the park

To enjoy the colours without wasting time on transport, nothing beats a hotel close by. B55 is less than a ten-minute walk from Parc Montsouris: step outside, walk, and you’re there. When you get back, an indoor pool and spa are waiting to warm you up, along with a wine bar to round off the evening. A wine-themed hotel, it makes an ideal base for an autumn weekend in the 13th.

Autumn only lasts a few weeks: now is the time to make the most of it. Book a stay at B55 and go and admire the colours of Parc Montsouris at your own pace, just a short walk from your room.