They are up to 37 times larger than the Jardin du Luxembourg. A review of the major picnic parks in Greater Paris. Jardin du Luxembourg = 22 hectares / Central Park = 341 hectares.

37 x the Jardin du Luxembourg = the park of the Palace of Versailles (Versailles, Yvelines)

We could also have said more than twice Central Park. Because, with its 815 ha compared with 340 ha for Central Park, the park of the Palace of Versailles is the champion of all categories. This makes it an inexhaustible land of exploration. For instance, you can venture to the end of the Grand Canal and its almost 1.25 miles to picnic on the grass and admire the view. Or take a stroll along the banks of the Pond of the Swiss, a pure marvel that runs alongside the King's Kitchen Garden. One thing's for sure: there's more to come.

Park of the Palace of Versailles, access via the Queen's Gate, boulevard de la Reine, Versailles (78). Open daily. Free admission. Access: Versailles Rive droite station (line L). Find out more at chateauversailles.fr

21 x the Jardin du Luxembourg = the Parc de Saint-Cloud (Saint-Cloud, Hauts-de-Seine)

460 hectares of greenery at the gateway to Paris: that's what awaits you in the Parc de Saint-Cloud, designed by one of the architects of the Palace of Versailles, Jules Hardouin-Mansart. As well as beautiful lawns on which you can relax, the area offers unexpected views over Paris, and is home to several restaurants to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, 1, avenue de la Grille d'Honneur, Saint-Cloud (92). Open daily. Access: Pont de Sèvres metro station (line 9), Sèvres - Ville-d'Avray train station (lines L and U), T2 tramway stop Musée de Sèvres. Free admission for pedestrians, €3 for motorized two-wheelers, €5 for cars Find out more at domaine-saint-cloud.fr View of Boulogne and Ile Seguin.

19 x the Jardin du Luxembourg = the Parc Georges-Valbon (La Courneuve, Seine-Saint-Denis)

It is known thanks to the Fête de l'Huma (which has been relocated to the former Brétigny-sur-Orge air base in Essonne since 2022).
Parc Georges-Valbon, also known as Parc de La Courneuve, covers 410 hectares of beautifully landscaped grounds, including three hectares of children's playgrounds and one of the finest open-air sports facilities in Greater Paris, on the banks of the main lake. Another of its special features is that it is home to our very own Clinamen urban shepherds, who have set up their sheepfold here.

Parc Georges-Valbon, 55, avenue Waldeck-Rochet, La Courneuve (93). Open daily. Access: La Courneuve-Aubervilliers station (RER B), then bus 249 to Cimetière de La Courneuve. Find out more at parcsinfo.seinesaint-denis.fr

9 x the Jardin du Luxembourg = the parc du Sausset (Villepinte, Seine-Saint-Denis)

Along with Parc Georges-Valbon (see above), it is one of eight departmental parks in Seine-Saint-Denis. The 200-hectare Parc du Sausset is an idyllic cocoon for families. Just a short walk from the RER station, it features a large playground to keep children exhausted, while parents can work up a sweat on the muscle-strengthening facilities. You can also take advantage of the refreshment bar terrace with its view of the pond, its ducks and its beautiful, unafraid black geese.

Parc du Sausset, avenue du Sausset, Villepinte (93). Open daily. Access: Villepinte station (RER B). Find out more at parcsinfo.seine-saint-denis.fr

8 x the Jardin du Luxembourg = the parc de Sceaux (Sceaux, Hauts-de-Seine)

Spanning 180 hectares, the Parc de Sceaux (which is celebrating the centenary of its opening to the public this year) succeeds in bringing together three great Paris Region classics: the Palace of Versailles, the Bois de Boulogne and the Parc Montsouris.
To convince yourself, you just need to look at its main features: formal gardens lined with paths with Versailles-style perspectives that lead to a château, a wood criss-crossed by paths with Boulonnais-style charms, and large lawns where you can bask in the spirit of Montsouris, without the risk of having to stand too close to your peers. The list of delights doesn't end there.
There's also a magnificent wooden playground designed by the children themselves, a large open-air swimming pool, a canal for carp and roach fishing, and several food kiosks.
The icing on the cake is that the cherry trees will soon be in bloom...

Parc de Sceaux, avenue Le Nôtre, Sceaux (92). Open daily. Access: Parc de Sceaux station (RER B). Find out more at domainede-sceaux.hauts-de-seine.fr

Gaspard Guérin / Enlarge Your Paris
Parc de Sceaux © Jean Pierre Dalbera (Creative Commons Flickr)