Paris City Breaks | France

Although spring is supposed to be the time when Paris is at its most romantic, autumn is when it is at its most magical. It is in early autumn, just as the trees are beginning to turn from the greens of summer to the multitudinous hues of yellow, red and brown; when the parks and open spaces in the city take on a different ambiance; and when the weather is still warm enough to enjoy a stroll through them; that city breaks in Paris really beckon.  It is also a time when staying in Paris is cheaper than in the high season, and getting there has never been easier or less expensive since you can bus travel to Paris.

Fontaine de Medicis, Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris by Vinceesq

Of course you can spend all of your time visiting the usual tourist destinations. Even if you have seen the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral many times before; even if you have previously walked the length of the Champs Elysees and you are familiar with the engravings on the Arc de Triomphe at the end of it; if you have already walked your feet off traipsing though the many chambers in the Louvre; and you have whiled away the time in several of Montmartre’s old cafes; no visit to Paris is complete without at least refreshing some of those experiences. But do make at least a little time to visit some of the many Parisian Parks.

Le Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the favourite parks with the locals. Amongst the many botanical displays you will find statues of France’s Kings and Queens, a wonderful Florentine palace, guignols (which are traditional French puppet shows), and ponds where you can hire a boat.

The Tuileries Garden just behind the Louvre dates back to the 16th century. It stretches from the Champs-Elysées to the Louvre and as well as its many autumnal trees and shrubs you will find many artefacts including sculptural works by Rodin and Maillol.

If you have a botanical interest than visit le Jardin des Plantes in the Latin Quarter where you will find literally hundreds of specimen plants and shrubs that look at their best during the early months of autumn. There is also a small menagerie there.

Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France by Benh LIEU SONG

You may also care to venture as far as the Bois de Vincennes at the eastern edge of the city. This is a huge park and woodland with lakes, winding paths, botanical exhibits, a fairground and a zoo. You can even hire a bicycle there.

These are just a few suggestions, but you might also wish to visit the less well known Buttes-Chaumont, Parc Montsouris which boasts in excess of 1,400 trees, the huge open space of the Bois de Boulogne, or the modern Parc de la Villette.

You are quite likely to find that Paris in the autumn beats Paris in the spring hands down. To book a bus travel to Paris see idbus.co.uk.

This is a guest post by Claire Sim a new Londoner, travel passionate and animal lover. She blogs about Pets and Travelling in Europe. If you want Claire to write you specific content, you can find email her here or contact her on Twitter (Claire_Sim).

Tags: arc de triomphe, botanical interest, champs élysées, city breaks in paris, early autumn, eiffel tower, guignols, jardin des plantes, Jardin du Luxembourg, jardin du luxembourg paris, kings and queens, latin quarter, le jardin du luxembourg, maillol, notre dame cathedral, puppet shows, sculptural works, trees and shrubs, tuileries garden

Category: Cities, Cities