Looking for parks in Paris with kids? Parc Monceau is one of the most beautiful and relaxed parks in the city – a place where kids can run on the grass, ride the carousel and explore one of Paris’s most charming historic gardens.
Set in the elegant 8th arrondissement and surrounded by beautiful Haussmann buildings, it’s also one of the most picturesque parks in the city. But once you step through the gates, it doesn’t feel formal or intimidating at all.
It’s a wonderful park for families and one we’ve returned to again and again over the years. There’s simply a lot for kids to do here. A charming carousel spins under the trees, pony rides clip-clop along the shaded avenues, and there’s even a playground where children can climb and explore.
My kids usually make a beeline for the playground, and it’s hard to leave without at least one full lap around the park. A crêpe from a nearby stand and a bit of time watching the carousel go around has become something of a little ritual for us.
One of the things I like most about Parc Monceau is how relaxed it feels compared to many Paris gardens. Large areas of lawn are open (which is surprisingly rare in the city), so families spread out for picnics, teenagers kick a ball around, and people settle into the shade for a quiet break.
The story behind Parc Monceau
The story of Parc Monceau goes back to the late 18th century, when Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans and cousin of Louis XVI, decided to create a garden here on what was then open land outside Paris. Instead of a traditional French garden with straight lines and perfect symmetry, he wanted something more imaginative. He asked the artist and writer Louis Carrogis Carmontelle to design a landscape filled with unexpected sights.
Carmontelle created a garden that felt almost theatrical. As visitors wandered along the paths they would come across a series of whimsical architectural “follies” that were fashionable at the time: an Egyptian pyramid, classical columns, exotic pavilions and decorative ruins. One of the most striking features that remains today is the Naumachia, a romantic pond surrounded by a semicircle of Corinthian columns inspired by ancient Rome.
The French Revolution dramatically changed the fate of both the duke and his garden. After the upheavals of the late eighteenth century, the park was gradually transformed and later redesigned during the 19th century as part of the great changes taking place in Paris. Under Napoleon III, the park was reshaped into the landscape garden we see today, with winding paths, new plantings and elegant details like the small Venetian-style bridge crossing the water.
By the late nineteenth century the park had become a fashionable place for Parisians to stroll, something that attracted artists as well. Claude Monet painted several scenes here in the 1870s, showing well-dressed Parisians walking beneath the trees with the elegant houses of the neighbourhood rising behind them.
This is a “local” park and you won’t find crowds of tourists here. After school hours the lawns fill with children running around, families meeting friends, and people settling onto the grass for a quiet break.
Things to do in Parc Monceau
For families, one of the biggest advantages of Parc Monceau is simply space. Unlike some Paris gardens where the lawns are strictly off-limits, large areas of grass here are open. Kids can run, kick a ball, or just lie on the grass looking up at the trees.
We usually enter from the Boulevard de Courcelles side, just a minute from Monceau metro station. As soon as you step inside, the carousel appears on the left under the trees. It’s a beautiful old-style carousel, the sort that instantly pulls children toward it. You can buy a single ride or a batch of tickets, and it often ends up being the first stop of the visit. Right beside it there’s a small café kiosk that’s surprisingly good. They make crêpes to order with whatever toppings the kids want, along with waffles, ice cream and drinks. On sunny afternoons it’s hard not to pause here for a snack while watching the carousel go around.
A short walk further brings you to one of the park’s most striking corners: the pond surrounded by the curved Roman-style columns known as the Naumachia. It looks almost like a ruin from another time. Kids tend to lean over the edge of the water here looking for ducks and if you’re lucky, you might spot the small turtles that live in the pond.
The playground is on the opposite side of the park, so getting there means crossing the gardens along the winding paths. It’s actually part of the fun, because Parc Monceau feels made for wandering. Bridges, statues and unexpected corners appear along the way. When you reach the playground you’ll find slides, climbing ropes and play structures for all ages.
There are also pony rides along the tree-lined paths, traditional Paris swings run by an attendant, and even a small area where older kids can skate or ride bikes.
How Parc Monceau compares to other Paris parks
Paris has many beautiful parks, but they all feel quite different when you visit with children. Jardin du Luxembourg is probably the most famous park for families, with its playground, puppet shows and toy sailboats. Jardin des Tuileries sits right in the centre of the city and is easy to combine with sightseeing. Both are beautiful but can feel a bit overwhelming with kids on the weekends when so many locals and tourists visit the parks. If you haven’t yet visited Parc Monceau, it’s a very nice alternative park to explore and it’s not far from central Paris at all.
Practical tips for visiting Parc Monceau
- Nearest metro: Monceau or Courcelles (Line 2)
- Best entrance for families: Boulevard de Courcelles
- Open daily from 7am to 8pm-10pm (adjusted seasonally)
- Carousel and snack stand near the entrance
- Playground located on the opposite side of the park
- Lawns open for picnics
More on Paris
The Best Areas to Stay in Paris with Kids (and WHY!) – help with choosing the right neighbourhood to stay in.
Paris Itineraries with Kids – 8 free day itineraries that cover top attractions, family-friendly activities and restaurants.
What to do in Paris with kids on a rainy day – options for keeping children entertained and dry in the city.
Join me on Instagram to get more inspiration for things to do and see in Paris.
My Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids is also packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on things to see and do in Paris.
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