Parc André-Citroën: gardens, greenhouses and the Ballon de Paris

Updated on October 7, 2026

Parc André-Citroën (15th arrondissement), opened in 1992 on the site of the former Citroën factories, covers about 14 hectares on the banks of the Seine. It was designed by the landscape architects Gilles Clément and Alain Provost and the architects Patrick Berger, Jean-François Jodry and Jean-Paul Viguier. Entry is free. It is home to the Ballon de Paris, a tethered balloon that rises to 150 metres.

Highlights

The gardens and greenhouses

A large central lawn, about 273 m by 85 m, is flanked by a canal renovated in 2024, two greenhouses and water jets. The white garden (Caroline Aigle) and the black garden (Eugénie Djendi) frame the “serial gardens”, each linked to a metal, a planet, a day of the week and a sense, while the “garden in movement” lets wild grasses grow.

The Ballon de Paris

In 2026 it runs from 1 April to 31 December, every day from 9 am to 8 pm (last flight 7:45 pm). The flight lasts about 10 minutes, up to 150 metres, with a maximum of 30 passengers and a 360° view that can reach 50 km in clear weather. It can be cancelled without notice in bad weather, especially wind.

A panorama with the Eiffel Tower

From the gondola, the panorama takes in all of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. The balloon also serves as a flying laboratory: instruments on board measure air quality and climate indicators.

Practical info

Tips

The park is freely accessible; animals are not allowed. For the Ballon, no booking is needed: you exchange your ticket at the counter (prices seen in October 2026). Adults from age 12: €20; children aged 3 to 11: €15; free under 3; €16 for people aged 65 and over and for students, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm, with proof. Pregnant women cannot board; manual wheelchairs are accepted, electric ones are not.

How to get there

Main entrance: 2 rue Cauchy, 75015 Paris; other entrances on quai André-Citroën, rue Leblanc, rue Saint-Charles and rue de la Montagne-de-la-Fage. Métro Javel – André Citroën (line 10), Balard or Lourmel (line 8); a Vélib' station is about 35 m away.

Opening hours

Best: Calm mornings, fine days

Monday-Friday 08:00-19:30

Saturday-Sunday 09:00-19:30 (park, October 2026 hours, vary by season; Ballon de Paris daily 09:00-20:00 from 1 April to 31 December 2026, weather permitting)