The Albert Schweitzer Garden—now part of the Jardin des Arts – Albert Schweitzer—is a peaceful oasis located in Paris’s 4th arrondissement, mere steps from the Seine and Île Saint‑Louis. Originally established in 1968 to honour Albert Schweitzer—physician, philosopher, organist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate—the site was extensively revamped in 2020 to merge with the Cité Internationale des Arts garden and the formal French garden of the Hôtel d’Aumont, home to the administrative tribunal.

Covering approximately 5,000 m², it stands out as one of the largest newly created green spaces in central Paris in decades. The ambiance is serene and welcoming, appealing to families, walkers and artists alike. Wide, tree-lined pathways (ball-maples and London plane trees) offer refreshing shade. At the entrance, a playground features baby-foot and ping-pong tables (though the latter may sometimes be unavailable).

The garden’s design is intentionally varied, combining open lawns, flower beds, and urban meadows that support biodiversity. Aromatic plants (sage, rosemary), fruit trees (apple, pear), and even a vine create a vibrant micro-ecosystem beneficial to wildlife and aesthetically pleasing. Visitors often appreciate this “wild garden” aspect—a pocket of nature thriving within the city .

The upper section preserves a classic French garden style, echoing the former administrative tribunal setting. Wooden beam benches contribute a rustic charm. The site also functions as a lovely backdrop for relaxing breaks—families enjoy falafels in the shade, for instance .

The garden is easily accessible via Pont‑Marie metro station (line 7) and nearby parking facilities such as Lobau and Hôtel de Ville . It’s open daily from 8 am to 8:30 pm during summer months (May–August) and from 9 am to 8:30 pm on weekends. Admission is free, and the garden remains open on most major public holidays.

Its clientele spans families, locals, resident artists, tourists seeking calm, readers, and nature lovers. A compelling anecdote: the garden once included a parking lot and a tribunal’s private garden; its metamorphosis into a “sound garden” embodies an ambitious environmental, musical, and urban initiative in collaboration with IRCAM.