Parc Montsouris, English garden in 14th arrondissement, France
Parc Montsouris is an urban garden in the 14th arrondissement featuring winding pathways, a central lake, and open lawns lined with various tree species. The grounds spread across about 15 hectares, offering visitors a range of natural landscapes to explore on foot.
The park was established in 1867 under Napoleon III as part of a plan to create four major green spaces across Paris. This project transformed a former quarry site into landscaped gardens, modernizing the city's outdoor spaces.
The park serves as a meeting place for students from the International University City of Paris, who use the open lawns for studying and socializing together. The green spaces naturally draw people seeking connection and outdoor gathering in the heart of the city.
The park opens daily at 7:00 AM with closing times that shift seasonally, closing earlier in winter and later during summer months. Checking the specific hours before your visit helps you plan enough time to explore the pathways and grounds comfortably.
A meridian marker in the grounds indicates the former Paris meridian, which served as the longitude reference for French maps until 1884. This small historical detail traces back to when Paris had its own geographic reference system separate from the rest of the world.
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