Parc Montsouris: stroll in this superb Parisian park
Paris is best known for its historical monuments and museums, but the city is also full of many spaces, large and small. Among the most visited, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Jardin des Plantes, and the Tuileries Gardens are at the top of the ranking, but do you know the Montsouris Park ? South of Paris, on the left bank, this green setting is a true haven of peace in the heart of the capital.
Montsouris park: 15 hectares of greenery in the heart of Paris
In the 14th arrondissement of Paris, Parc Montsouris is a public garden located between rue d’Alésia and the Cité universitaire. It is also this very special location that attracts all students in search of calm and nature. The vast lawns are a call to relaxation and rest, while the 1,400 trees in the park provide shaded spaces perfect for getting some fresh air in summer.
Spread over more than 15 hectares of greenery , the garden is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, and walkers love to stroll there, around the lake and along the paths. The public garden is then dotted with numerous stone or bronze statues, spread over 3 vast lawns, and the immense artificial lake is the home of many animals, from green-necked ducks to swans.
Montsouris Park also houses the meteorological observatory , dating from 1947, as well as a 5 meter high stone obelisk. Although this obelisk has nothing to do with the Montsouris observatory, many people nevertheless nickname it “the sight of the observatory”.
The little-known history of the park
Before becoming one of the public gardens of Paris , Montsouris park was occupied by the old quarries of Montrouge. Acting as a necropolis, more than 6 million bodies were buried there. This mortuary labyrinth, worthy of the catacombs of Paris, complicated the construction of the park, as did the presence of two railway lines. And it was not the war against Prussia in 1870 that made things easier. The numerous mounds and the steep slopes of the park are today vestiges of the difficulties that Baron Haussmann and the engineer Alphand may have encountered during the development of the green space.
Finally, the inauguration of the park took place in 1878, while Napoleon III had initiated the work in 1867. The emperor’s objective was then to create a park at each of the 4 cardinal points of the capital : Montsouris park to the south, the Bois de Vincennes to the east, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont to the north and the Bois de Boulogne to the west.
To develop the park, Napoleon III was inspired by London parks . He then wanted to create a meeting space for all social classes.
Good to know: the name of Montsouris refers to the time when the Bièvre mills were falling into ruin and were only occupied by rodents. We then spoke of “Mouse Mountain”, or “Mouse Mock”.
A sublime park to stroll in summer
From your first steps in the green spaces of Montsouris park, you will be immersed in a bucolic atmosphere which will make you forget all the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the capital. The park then becomes the ideal place on hot summer days. With friends, family, lovers, or even alone, the park and its wide open spaces welcome you for a picnic, a short stroll, or just to sunbathe.
In summer, the park is open until midnight, and the bandstand schedules numerous concerts to keep you dancing and humming all evening. During the day, the walk is just as pleasant, in the shade of the trees and to the rhythm of the songs of the many species of birds.
To entertain you, the green spaces of the park are not left out. Ping-pong tables offer you the opportunity to experience wild games, the weather station arouses your curiosity, while the children rush to the playground and the carousel . And for those with a sweet tooth, the Pavillon Montsouris , right in the center of the park, guarantees delicious cuisine in a breathtaking setting.
Good to know: Montsouris park previously hosted the Palais du Bardo. This oriental palace, inaugurated during the Universal Exhibition of 1867, unfortunately disappeared during a major fire in 1991.
Visit Montsouris park: practical information
Parc Montsouris is located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, between Porte de Gentilly and Porte d’Arcueil. To get to the site, you can take numerous public transport (RER B, tram T3a, bus, etc.). From the B55 hotel, a few minutes on foot will be enough, since the park is only 500 meters from the hotel .
Good to know: the park is accessible from rue gazan, boulevard Jourdan, avenue Reille, rue de la Cité-Universitaire, rue Nansouty, and rue Émile-Deutsch-de-la-Meurthe.
The park is free and open all year round . In summer, you can walk there from 7 a.m. to midnight from Thursday to Sunday, and from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday. The rest of the year, the park closes at 5:45 p.m.
The B55 hotel near Montsouris park
Just 500 meters from Montsouris Park, the B55 hotel welcomes you in a comfortable and warm setting. The 4-star Wine & Spa hotel immerses you in a unique experience of calm and relaxation , with fully equipped rooms and quality services.
After long days of walking, take the time to enjoy a good glass of wine, thanks to our dispenser, and relax in the hotel’s wellness area. What to recharge your batteries before your next visit to Paris! To the south of Paris, Montsouris park is a place for walks where it is always pleasant to stroll. Near the B55 hotel, it is the ideal place to get some fresh air between two visits to tourist sites.
