Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The park was inaugurated during the 1867 Exposition Universelle to transform a former industrial mining site.

2. 2

   The suspension bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel, predating his famous tower.

3. 3

   An artificial waterfall is fed by water from the Canal de l'Ourcq.

4. 4

   The park contains a 32-meter-deep grotto that was once part of the original quarry operations.

5. 5

   It is built on a site that previously served as a public execution ground and a dump for horse carcasses.

6. 6

   The topography includes steep, man-made cliffs created to emulate a mountain landscape within the urban center.

Overview

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a 25-hectare public park in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, established on the site of former gypsum and limestone quarries. The park's centerpiece is a rocky island rising 50 meters above an artificial lake, accessible via a 63-meter-long suspension bridge. It features an English-style landscape design characterized by steep cliffs, winding paths, and waterfalls. The hilltop Temple de la Sibylle, modeled after the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, marks the park's highest elevation point. It remains one of the largest green spaces in Paris and is built on uneven, hilly terrain unlike the city's flatter parks. The park incorporates a railway line from the former Petite Ceinture, which is now disused.

Insider tips

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes due to the significant elevation changes and steep paths.

• Bring a picnic blanket, as the hilly lawns are popular for relaxing, though some areas are restricted to preserve grass.

• Visit the suspension bridge early in the day to avoid the busiest crowds during peak season.