# Parc Monceau, Paris > Parc Monceau is one of the most elegant parks in Paris, 8.2 hectares in the wealthy 8th arrondissement. The Duke of Chartres created it in 1778–1779 as a fantasy garden of 'follies': a little Egyptian pyramid, a Roman colonnade by a pond, a Dutch windmill and a grotto. Winding paths, lawns and old trees in the English manner set it apart from formal French gardens. Local families stroll here, joggers run in the mornings, and Claude Monet painted these paths. Entry is free, open from morning until dusk. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/paris/parc-monceau - City: [Paris](https://yesgo.io/france/paris), France - YesGo score: 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 50 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free - Hours: Morning to dusk, longer in summer - Area: 8.2 hectares - With children: Playgrounds and a carousel - Duration: ≈ 45–60 minutes - Location: 8th arrondissement, metro Monceau - Coordinates: 48.87940, 2.30923 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1779** — Carmontelle's garden completed (source: English Wikipedia) - **8.2 ha** — area of the park (source: English Wikipedia) - **1797** — the first silk parachute jump (source: English Wikipedia) - **1861** — opened as a public park (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Parc Monceau Parc Monceau is a public park in the 8th arrondissement on Boulevard de Courcelles. It was founded by **Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Chartres**, cousin of Louis XVI and one of the richest men in France. From 1769 he bought up land here, and in 1778 he hired the writer and painter **Carmontelle** to design a garden, completed in **1779**. The duke was an Anglophile who wanted a garden in the fashionable Anglo-Chinese manner. But Carmontelle aimed higher, 'to bring together in one garden all times and all places', surprising visitors at every step. The city bought the park in 1860, and in **1861** Baron Haussmann opened it as the first new public park in Paris. ## What to see in the park - **The colonnade by the pond** — a half-circle of Corinthian columns. - **The Egyptian pyramid** — a little 18th-century folly. - **The Ledoux rotunda** — a round pavilion at the main entrance. - **The gilded gates** — wrought-iron gates 8 metres high. - **Statues of writers and musicians** — Maupassant, Musset, Chopin, Gounod. - **Bridge and stream** — picturesque corners of the English garden. ## A garden of follies Carmontelle's garden was full of **follies**, fantastic buildings from different ages and lands. There was a small Egyptian **pyramid**, a Roman colonnade, antique statues, a water-lily pond, a Tatar tent, a farm, a **Dutch windmill**, a temple of Mars, a minaret, an Italian vineyard and an enchanted grotto. Servants wore oriental costumes and unusual animals roamed the grounds. Much has vanished, but some survives. The loveliest part is the **oval pond** framed by a half-circle of old **Corinthian columns**, one of the most photogenic spots in the park. You can also find the pyramid, a little stone bridge over the stream and the remains of the grotto. > **When to come** In spring the trees and flowerbeds bloom, and in autumn the maples and chestnuts turn gold and red, the best time to photograph the colonnade by the pond. Parisians jog here in the mornings and families stroll by day. The park opens from sunrise to sunset, later in summer. The lawns are usually open for relaxing, so watch for signs. ## The rotunda, gates and English garden As early as 1781 part of the garden was remodelled in pure **English style**, with winding paths, lawns and groves, by the Scottish gardener Thomas Blaikie. In 1787 the architect **Claude Nicolas Ledoux** built a round **rotunda** shaped like a Doric temple at the park's northern edge, used as a customs post on the city wall. Under Haussmann two wide avenues were laid across the park, meeting at the centre, and tall gilded wrought-iron **gates** were installed at the entrances, the main ones 8.3 metres high. Monceau remains a rare 'English' park in France, where statues seem scattered at random among the trees. ## Monet, statues and a parachute Artists and musicians loved the park: **Claude Monet** painted a series here in spring 1876 and more in 1878, and the composer Berlioz often walked its paths. Around 1900 statues of writers and composers were added, including **Maupassant**, Musset, Gounod, Ambroise Thomas and **Chopin**. The park even holds a record: in **1797** the balloonist André-Jacques Garnerin made the world's first **silk parachute** jump here, leaping from a balloon and landing before a crowd. ## With children and nearby Monceau is a favourite with families from the 8th and 17th arrondissements. It has **playgrounds**, a carousel and plenty of space to play, and joggers fill the paths in the mornings. The benches by the pond are lovely for reading. Around the park stand 19th-century mansions, and nearby is the **Musée Cernuschi** of Asian art, whose permanent collection is usually free. From here you can walk to the [Arc de Triomphe](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/arc-de-triomphe) and the [Champs-Élysées](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/champs-elysees) in about 20 minutes. ## How to get there 1. Metro line 2 to **Monceau**, exiting right by the rotunda. 2. Metro lines 2 and 3 to **Villiers**, a 7-minute walk. 3. From the Arc de Triomphe, a 20-minute walk along Avenue Hoche. 4. Buses 30, 84 and 94 stop by the park. ## Tips for your visit An hour is enough for the park: walk the loop, sit by the colonnade pond and find the pyramid. With children, allow extra time for the playgrounds and carousel. Monceau combines well with the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées, or with a stroll round the surrounding mansion district. It's a calm place with few tourists, a good break after museums. The park has toilets and kiosks. In the evening the gates close, and wardens walk the paths before closing time. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Photograph the colonnade by the pond - [ ] Find the Egyptian pyramid - [ ] Walk through the gilded gates - [ ] Spot the Maupassant statue - [ ] Look into the Musée Cernuschi ## Places in Paris: compare and choose Places in Paris rated by YesGo. - [Luxembourg Gardens](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/jardin-du-luxembourg) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free - [Tuileries Garden](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/tuileries-garden) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free - [Palace of Versailles](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/versailles) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 6 h · Timed ticket, online - [Champ de Mars](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/champ-de-mars) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free - [Parc Monceau](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/parc-monceau) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 50 min · Free - [Musée Rodin](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/musee-rodin) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Museum and garden ticket, free under 18 - [Parc de la Villette](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/parc-de-la-villette) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Park free, museums ticketed ## Don't mix it up Parc Monceau is a small English-style park in the 8th arrondissement; the Luxembourg Gardens are a large French garden by the Senate on the Left Bank. ## Tips - Free entry. - Autumn for photos. - The colonnade by the pond. - The Arc de Triomphe is near. ## Questions ### How much does Parc Monceau cost? Entry is free. ### What is there to see in Parc Monceau? The colonnade pond, the pyramid, the Ledoux rotunda and the gilded gates. ### What time does the park close? At sunset, later in summer. ### Is it good with children? Yes, there are playgrounds and a carousel. ### How do I get to Parc Monceau? By metro line 2 to Monceau station. ## How we checked Facts and general hours from English Wikipedia. Exact monthly closing times weren't confirmed — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Parc Monceau - City of Paris website, paris.fr --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.