Every morning, I take a seven-minute walk along Rue Orfila to catch the metro. My route might change a little—sometimes I cross the street early, other days I don’t—but lately, one thing has made me pause every time: a blooming wisteria vine spilling over a fence near the park.
Its purple flowers hang like little chandeliers, and their sweet scent feels like nature’s perfume. I always cross the street to walk beneath it. In those short moments, it feels like I’ve stepped into a secret garden, right in the middle of Paris.
Spring in Paris has completely changed how I see the city. Flowers bloom everywhere—parks, windowsills, patios—and I’ve realized something surprising: I love flowers. On a sunny day, seeing a colorful flower bed can make me feel like I’m floating.
Even when I’m having a rough morning, a bright patch of pansies or daisies reminds me that there’s still beauty around me. This season has made me fall in love not just with flowers, but with the gardens and parks that hold them.
Last week, I had a moment I’ll never forget. I took a train to Giverny, the town where Claude Monet lived. His gardens are famous, and when I stepped inside, I was stunned. Rows and rows of tulips and peonies lined the paths, each row bursting with color.
There were so many flowers, it felt like walking through a rainbow. As I wandered through the flower beds and stood by the pond full of water lilies, I felt tears in my eyes. It was more beautiful than any picture or painting. I only stayed for two hours, but the memory of those blooms stayed with me for days.
Even without traveling to Giverny, Paris has plenty of green spaces that lift my mood. My friends and I spend as much time as possible outside—whether we’re eating, studying, or just relaxing. Since the weather warmed up, I’ve been outside more than ever. I’m even checking off a list of gardens I want to visit. Each one has something special to offer.
Jardin du Luxembourg is my go-to. It’s just a short walk from my classes, and I’m not the only one who loves it—people are always sitting by the fountains or strolling under the trees. This park is great for everything: running, reading, or watching a game of pétanque. You can’t sit on the grass, but there are lots of benches and chairs for lunch breaks. Best of all, the flowers are always fresh and carefully arranged, making it a joy just to walk through.
If you want to feel like you’ve escaped the city, try Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. It’s in the 19th Arrondissement and feels like a little piece of the countryside. A temple sits on a hill in the middle, and there are soft grassy slopes that are perfect for picnics. Some spots are so peaceful, you can’t see a single building—just trees, sky, and flowers. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to bring a blanket and stay all afternoon.
For something smaller but just as charming, I like Place des Vosges. It’s surrounded by old buildings and has a lovely statue in the center. This park is great when I want to sketch, write, or just daydream. And yes—you’re allowed to sit on the grass here! That makes it one of my favorite spots for a quick break between errands.
One park that feels like a hidden treasure is Parc de Sceaux. It’s outside the Paris city limits, but the train ride is worth it. When I visited, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and I was amazed. We had a picnic under the trees and then explored the endless gardens and lawns. The park is huge—nearly 450 acres—and has a grand château too. It reminded me that gardens don’t have to be small to be special.
What ties all these places together is the way they connect me to nature. Whether it’s a patch of wildflowers or a carefully trimmed hedge, gardens make me feel calm and happy. They remind me to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy what’s around me.
When I visited Monet’s garden, I thought about how he built his flower beds so that beauty would greet him each morning. I may not have a garden of my own, but walking through the ones in Paris has changed how I think. I notice every bloom now—every tulip, every rose, every vine creeping up a wall. Gardening, I’ve learned, isn’t just about plants. It’s about joy, peace, and finding small wonders in your day.
This spring has been one of the happiest times of my life. And I know that flowers—and the gardens they live in—have a lot to do with that.
