The park is officially classified as a state-owned forest, managed by the City of Paris, and contains over 350,000 trees.
The Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil contains a collection of rare plants housed in late 19th-century cast-iron greenhouses.
Napoleon III intended for the park to mimic London's Hyde Park to demonstrate the modernization of Parisian urban planning.
The Longchamp Racecourse, located within the park, is the primary site for the annual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The park contains several artificial cascades and streams designed during the Second Empire to create a pastoral landscape.
The Bois de Boulogne is a 846-hectare public park located on the western edge of Paris, originally commissioned by Napoleon III and designed by Adolphe Alphand. It serves as one of the city's two major woodland lungs, covering an area more than twice the size of New York's Central Park. The park features the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil, a renowned botanical garden complex dating back to 1898. Visitors can access multiple lakes, including the Lac Inférieur, which offers boat rentals. The grounds house the Jardin d'Acclimatation, a children's amusement park, and the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a contemporary art museum. Equestrian facilities, horse racing tracks at Longchamp and Auteuil, and expansive cycling paths are integrated into the park's network. It was historically a royal hunting ground before being ceded to the city of Paris by Napoleon III in 1852. The park includes the Shakespeare Garden, which features flora referenced in the playwright's works.
The central bridge overlooking the Lac Inférieur.
Rent a bicycle to effectively navigate the vast, sprawling paths between the various gardens and lakes.
Pack a picnic, as the park features designated green spaces, though avoid leaving any waste behind.
Check the official city website for local event schedules, as portions of the park are frequently used for festivals and racing.
Do not venture into isolated wooded sections after sunset for safety reasons.
The park is generally open 24 hours, but specific botanical gardens and facilities like the Jardin d'Acclimatation operate with seasonal hours.
Maintain respect for the natural environment by staying on marked trails and disposing of all trash in provided bins.
