Parc de Bagatelle

Situated in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, the Parc de Bagatelle is one of the city's most enchanting botanical gardens. It offers everything you need for a picturesque afternoon stroll: a splendid little castle (designed in one frenzied night by its architect François-Joseph Bélanger), an orangery, a vegetable garden and no less than 10,000 rose bushes representing 1,200 different varieties. A multi-million-livre folly commissioned by the Comte d'Artois (brother of Louis XVI), the park carries its name – bagatelle means 'trifle' – with a deal of irony. At least the French public are getting their taxes' worth today: this is a valuable patch of bucolic elegance in a city with a severe deficiency of green.

In the summer, the park doubles up as a venue for the annual hippie-fest We Love Green, and for a varied programme of gigs and classical concerts.