Created during Napoleon III’s era and inaugurated in 1869 (completed 1878), Parc Montsouris spans 15 ha of English-style landscaping by Alphand and Haussmann. Its rolling lawns, hills, cascade, and lake host France’s oldest continuous weather station, operational since 1872.
Notable features include the Paris Meridian marker (1806 stone), the Column of Armed Peace, a music kiosk (from 1884), and the historic Pavillon Montsouris once frequented by Lenin, Sartre, Trotsky. There’s a puppet theatre, playgrounds, sports courts, ping-pong tables and pony rides for kids and families.
A serene atmosphere with a vibrant summer vibe: students picnic, families relax, joggers enjoy trails, concerts enliven the site from May to September. Mature plane trees, wildlife, ducks, and koi add to its charm.
Practical info: open daily from 7 AM; seasonal hours, extended to midnight during summer or heatwaves. Accessible via Metro 6 (Glacière), RER B (Cité U), Tram T3a; entrances on rue Gazan, avenue Reille, boulevard Jourdan.
Anecdotes
The lake drained catastrophically on opening day in 1878, allegedly leading to the engineer’s suicide.
The historic weather station documented a record 42.6 °C in July 2019.
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