Montsouris Park, Paris: Photos, Opening Hours, Lake and Access
Montsouris Park (Paris 14th) is free and open every day from 7am; it closes at 5:45pm from 25 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, then later and later, up to 9:30pm from May to August. Its 15 hectares hold a lake full of birds, century-old trees, sculptures and wide lawns opposite Cité Universitaire RER B station: a very photogenic setting, far from the crowds. Laid out from 1867 at Napoleon III's request, it is an ideal outing for Paris with kids. To extend your walk in the south of Paris, the Butte-aux-Cailles is about half an hour away on foot.
Highlights
A park built for families
Montsouris Park is a favorite spot to spend a pleasant time with the family, with its open lawns and playground fitted with swings. Close to the Cité Universitaire, it's also one of the neighborhood's favorite spots for students to unwind. Children and parents gather here just as much for a picnic as for a break between classes.
1,400 trees and rare species
The park is home to roughly 1,400 trees, most of them over a century old, offering plenty of variety to discover along its paths. You'll spot the Chinese parasol tree, the exotic persimmon, tulip trees, and beeches, along with several cedars, including this Cedar of Lebanon planted in the park. This tree collection makes Montsouris Park a genuine arboretum in the heart of Paris.
A lake that's a haven for birds
The large lake at Montsouris Park is home to a particularly varied wildlife, where swans, ducks, and geese roam freely. Depending on the season, you might also spot the crested tit, the parakeet, or the heron. This body of water is a genuine bird sanctuary in the heart of the capital.
Sculptures along the paths
Numerous sculptures line the park's paths, all created between 1878 and 1960, including works by Edmond Desca and Antoine Etex. Among them stands the statue of Thomas Paine, created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum in 1939 and unveiled in 1948. It pays tribute to this philosopher and pamphleteer who was engaged in both the American and French revolutions.
Paths made for jogging
With its wide lawns and shaded paths, like the Allée Jacques Higelin that runs along the former Petite Ceinture railway line, Montsouris Park is an ideal spot to get some exercise. Plenty of joggers come to run here year-round, enjoying the calm and greenery of the site. The park's rolling layout makes it a favorite training ground for Parisian runners.
Practical info
Tips
- In fine weather, concerts are regularly held at the park's bandstand. The park's free Wi-Fi is handy, but our guide to free Wi-Fi in Paris reminds you of the security rules to follow.
- The park is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with toilets, free wifi and a playground. Dogs are allowed on the paths, on a leash.
- The official address is 2 rue Gazan, and a Vélib' station is about 270 m away. In the park you will find toilets, drinking water points, a basketball court, ping-pong tables, rides and a Guignol puppet theater. A defibrillator is mounted on the outer walls of the public toilets, allée du Puits and allée du Lac. Dogs are allowed only on the paths, on a leash.
- The official address is 2 rue Gazan, and a Vélib' station is about 270 m away. In the park you will find toilets, drinking water points, a basketball court, ping-pong tables, rides and a Guignol puppet theater. A defibrillator is mounted on the outer walls of the public toilets, allée du Puits and allée du Lac. Dogs are allowed only on the paths, on a leash.
- Best spots for photos: the lake and its birds early in the morning or late in the afternoon, the Lebanon cedar, the Thomas Paine statue and the allée Jacques Higelin, along the old Petite Ceinture railway line. Our take: a quiet park with no paid attraction, perfect for a picnic or a break away from the crowds; allow 1 to 2 hours for a full loop.
How to get there
The park has several entrances on Boulevard Jourdan, Avenue Reille and Rue Gazan, in the 14th arrondissement. The RER B stops opposite the park, at Cité Universitaire station; the T3a tram serves the Montsouris and Cité Universitaire stops.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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