Nestled against the wall of Père‑Lachaise cemetery, the Pierre‑Emmanuel Natural Garden spans 6,300 m² and was created in 1995 following a design competition by landscape architects Agnès Bochet and Laurent Gérard. What makes this small garden unique is its ecological commitment: there’s no watering, no regular mowing — the meadow is cut just two to three times a year — and no usage of pesticides.

At the entrance on Rue de la Réunion, a broad mineral path welcomes visitors and leads through a wildflower meadow populated with blue scabious, silvery yarrow, and strongly scented chamomile — plants once common across rural Île‑de‑France. Climbing a staircase leads to the elevated promenade: a sunlit terrace offering panoramic views across the entire garden. Limestone rocks, remnants of 19th‑century quarries upon which the garden was built, emerge beneath your feet.

Below lies a shaded understory where ferns, bellflowers, geraniums (herbe‑à‑Robert), and the toxic hellebore fétide (once called “herb of disgust”) flourish. Finally, the educational pond at the bottom is a thriving micro‑ecosystem: frogs, newts, red dragonflies, water spiders (gerris), and aquatic mint coexist here.

This garden isn’t just a place for relaxation: it attracts locals who come to read, unwind, or take part in ecological workshops on urban biodiversity. Children especially appreciate the playground at the garden’s far end, accessible via Rue de Lesseps.

Open daily from 8 AM (9 AM on weekends) until between 5 PM and 8:30 PM depending on the season, entrance is always free, including on public holidays. It is easily accessible via Alexandre Dumas metro station (line 2) and bus lines 26, 64, and 76.

The garden pays tribute to poet Pierre Emmanuel (1916‑1984), member of the Académie française, whose tomb lies in the adjacent cemetery. It’s a rare spot in Paris — wilder than the large parks yet more intimate than wooded spaces — offering a breath of fresh air and immersive contact with the region’s natural heritage.