12 Iconic Paris Parks with Fascinating Histories You Need to Discover

11. Bois de Boulogne

Created: 1852
Size: 845 hectares
Location: 16th arrondissement
Metro Station: Porte Maillot, Porte Dauphine

Bois de Boulogne was originally a royal hunting ground and was transformed in the 1850s by Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann into one of Paris's largest public parks. Inspired by London’s Hyde Park, it includes lakes, forests, and various gardens. It offers a vast green escape with activities like boating, cycling, and horseback riding. It’s also home to attractions like the Jardin d’Acclimatation and the Fondation Louis Vuitton.