Buttes-Chaumont Park, Paris

Originally transformed from a disused quarry and rubbish dump, it has many caverns and waterfalls, some of which can be explored by the public. The crowning glory is Sybil’s Temple, a folly on the summit of the rocky mound in the centre of a small pleasure lake which can be climbed to get an excellent view of Paris – including the Sacré Coeur – and the park itself. You can get to the island via several bridges, including a suspension bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel some 20 years before he built his famous tower.

This park is particularly popular with families, as it is one of the most relaxing parks in Paris for running and playing; children delight in the three streams which run through the park and the wild sections of grass cultivated to promote biodiversity.

Many little kiosks propose drinks and snacks, however, it is the café ‘Rosa Bonheur’ which is most well-known; the miniature pavilion offers drinks and tapas and truly revives the terrace bars and ‘guinguettes’ found throughout Paris at the time of the park’s creation.