In short
Born from the radical transformation of old abandoned chalk quarries , the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is the steepest and most adventurous public space in Paris. Its steep, scenic paths ascend to a rocky island surrounded by an artificial lake, offering one of the most spectacular and unusual views of the Montmartre neighborhood.
Era: founded in 1867
Services: kiosks, bars and restaurants, children's play areas, puppet theatre, restrooms, public drinking fountains and jogging trails.
Points of interest: Temple of the Sibyl, Gustave Eiffel's suspension bridge, the large cave with waterfall, the central lake and the Suicide Bridge
Best time: Late afternoon, when Parisians relax on the sloping lawns to watch the sunset
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The ideal stop
Combine it with a bohemian stroll through the hidden streets of nearby Belleville Hill.
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Recommended parking time 90'
An hour and a half allows you to climb the cliff and make a complete tour of the lake.
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The local rite
Spread a blanket on the steep lawns of the park to enjoy an impromptu aperitif of baguettes and cheese with the residents.
What to see at the Buttes Chaumont Park
Venture along the walkways of this monumental feat of landscape engineering to discover romantic views and bold architectural installations.
The Temple of the Sibyl Focal point
Admire the elegant neoclassical kiosk that stands on the top of the cliff, directly inspired by the famous Temple of Vesta located in Tivoli.
The suspension bridge
Observe the sixty-five-meter-long metal walkway that spans the pond, designed by the engineering genius Gustave Eiffel.
The large artificial cave
Be amazed by the imposing fourteen-meter-high cave, decorated with fake stalactites and cooled by a thunderous internal waterfall.
Belvedere Island
Explore the imposing thirty-meter-high limestone outcrop that emerges from the center of the reservoir, reached via pedestrian bridges.
The old railway line
Discover the abandoned tracks of the Petite Ceinture that cut through a portion of the park, now an evocative corridor of plant biodiversity.
Visiting the Buttes Chaumont Park
Walking through this mountain landscape requires a bit of energy and some caution to deal with the steep slopes.
Best moment
At five in the summer, when the shade of the ancient trees cools the paths and the light becomes warm.
Crowding
Very intense on hot weekends, when the meadows fill up with young people, families and fitness enthusiasts.
Suitable for children
Yes, the adventurous bridges and mysterious caves immediately ignite the imagination of the little ones.
What not to miss
The magnificent view of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart that can be enjoyed from the temple square.
Type of experience
Unusual, dynamic, naturalistic and totally distant from the classic symmetry of the royal Parisian gardens.
What to expect
Challenging climbs, paths immersed in greenery, the roar of the waterfall and the cheerful chaos of Parisians outdoors.
How to visit the Buttes Chaumont Park
We recommend entering through the main entrance located opposite the 19th arrondissement town hall. For guided tours and experiences, check the calendar:
Need to know
- The land was home to ancient chalk and clay quarries.
- The area also served as the capital's municipal landfill.
- Baron Haussmann chose to redevelop this degraded area.
- Jean-Charles Alphand designed the space imitating a mountain landscape.
Practical advice
- Wear sneakers for climbing hills.
- Avoid isolated areas during sunset hours.
- The lawns are accessible, great for lying down in the summer.
- Check the location of the attractions in this guide before going there, optimizing your experience.
How to get to the Buttes Chaumont Park
You'll find this immense green lung in the north-eastern part of Paris, well connected by public transport.
Line 7bis stops at the Buttes Chaumont and Botzaris stations.
There are no RER lines in the immediate vicinity of the Park.
Lines 26, 48, 60 and 71 make useful stops.
Walk north up the lively Rue de Belleville
Av. de la Cascade, 75019
Official Transport Paris
- Paris Metro Map
- RER tickets and fares
- Taxis in Paris (numbers and alternatives)
History of the Buttes Chaumont Park
Until the mid-19th century, this part of the Parisian suburbs was a bleak, barren, and feared place. Its original name, "Mont-Chauve" (bald mountain), referred to the total absence of vegetation, due to the presence of enormous underground quarries from which chalk was extracted to build the city center's buildings. In addition to the mines, the area had been used for centuries as the site of the sinister Montfaucon gallows and, later, as a garbage dump and a huge storage area for horse carcasses, making the air unbreathable.
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In 1860, with the annexation of the outskirts of the city, Emperor Napoleon III decided to radically transform this urban scourge into a large public park for the area's working class. The ambitious project was entrusted to engineer Jean-Charles Alphand, who faced a colossal technical challenge: the sinkholes had to be filled, the unsafe underground tunnels had to be reinforced, and thousands of tons of fertile soil had to be brought in to allow trees to grow.
Alphand decided not to erase the site's industrial past, but to exploit the vertical walls of the old quarries to invent an artificial and romantic mountain landscape. A large lake was dug, fed by the Ourcq Canal, the crumbling rock faces were reinforced with spectacular concrete facings that mimicked natural cliffs, and thousands of exotic trees were planted. Gustave Eiffel was called upon to design the daring iron suspension bridge.
The park was officially inaugurated in 1867, coinciding with the Universal Exhibition, astonishing citizens with its spectacular and theatrical character. During the tragic days of the Paris Commune of 1871, the Buttes-Chaumont were the scene of the last, bloody clashes between the revolutionaries and the regular army. Today, the park has regained its peaceful soul and remains one of the world's masterpieces of 19th-century engineering.
Curiosities about the Buttes Chaumont Park
The unusual stories and little mysteries linked to the artificial rocks of this Parisian green lung.
The fake concrete wood: The handrails, path railings and fake tree trunks that decorate the bridges are masterpieces of 19th-century craftsmanship; they are made entirely of hand-shaped concrete to deceive the eye of passersby.
A cursed bridge: the monumental twenty-two-meter-high stone bridge that connects the park to the outside is historically called “the suicide bridge” due to the numerous people who threw themselves from it in the nineteenth century, prompting the Municipality to install high protective metal nets.
The giant fake stalactites: to make the cave even more terrifying and evocative, the craftsmen of the time hung enormous artificial stalactites made of hydraulic mortar and modeled directly on site from the ceiling.
The Petite Ceinture visible: train passengers riding the old Parisian circular railway experienced a thrill as they passed through the park, as the tracks ran through a deep trench dug into the rock beneath visitors' feet.
Tickets and tours nearby
Find accommodation near the Buttes Chaumont Park
Being slightly away from the center, the Park area is one of the best places to stay for those on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Temple of the Sibyl an authentic Roman ruin brought from Italy?
No, it is an eclectic reproduction designed by architect Gabriel Davioud, built entirely of Paris stone in the mid-nineteenth century.
Can you swim in the park's central lake on hot days?
No, swimming is strictly prohibited anywhere in the body of water, both for safety reasons and to protect the ecosystem. If you're looking for more refreshing experiences, we'll tell you about them in Paris in August.
Does the waterfall inside the cave remain active even during the night?
No, the electric pumps that push the water upwards are turned off in the evening when the gates close and reactivated the next morning.
Are there flat routes suitable for those with walking difficulties?
The park is almost entirely sloped, but the paved loop that circles the base of the lake is the most accessible and least steep trail.
Is there a famous restaurant inside where I can have dinner in the evening?
Yes, the park is home to the famous Rosa Bonheur, a historic pavilion transformed into a popular modern guinguette where people dance and dine.
Where does the water that feeds the artificial lake come from?
Water is pumped directly from the nearby Ourcq Canal through a dedicated hydraulic network designed in the 19th century.
Is it possible to rent historic sailing boats like in Luxembourg?
No, the lake's conformation and currents do not allow for the rental of wooden boats for children.
Does the park close if it snows heavily or ice forms in Paris?
Yes, the management closes the gates in case of severe frost because the steep asphalt paths become slippery and dangerous for passers-by.
