Parc André Citroën occupies fourteen hectares along the Left Bank of the Seine in the 15th arrondissement, where the Citroën automobile factory once stood. Opened in 1992, this is Paris at its most contemporary—a landscape of glass greenhouses, geometric water features, and color-coded gardens that feel worlds away from the romantic curves of the Luxembourg or Tuileries.
The park divides neatly into two sides. The northern section centers on a vast lawn flanked by two enormous greenhouses—one Mediterranean, one tropical—that shelter orange trees, palms, and exotic plants under soaring glass roofs. The southern half arranges six smaller gardens by color and theme: the blue garden plants lavender and sage, the green garden hides ferns and moss, and the orange garden blazes with marigolds and nasturtiums from spring through fall.
The Dancing Fountains and Balloon
Children race through the choreographed fountains that erupt from the central lawn on warm afternoons, shooting jets of water in patterns timed to music. The spectacle runs from April through October, generally from mid-afternoon until early evening—check the official park page for the current schedule before you visit.
The Paris most visitors miss
Our free 8-page PDF guide: 25 places, from Galerie Vivienne's 1880 mosaic floor to Canal Saint-Martin's locks, each linked to its official site.
At the southwestern corner, a tethered helium balloon rises 150 meters above the park, carrying passengers in a circular gondola that offers panoramic views across the city. When the air quality is good, the balloon ascends every fifteen minutes; when pollution levels rise, it stays grounded. The balloon operates year-round, weather permitting, and tickets are sold on-site.
Two Wildflower Gardens
Tucked behind the formal parterres, the Jardin Blanc (white garden) and Jardin Noir (black garden) take a deliberately wild approach. The white garden plants pale blooms—white roses, jasmine, delphiniums—in loose, naturalistic drifts. The black garden counters with deep purples and near-blacks: dark dahlias, purple sage, black tulips in spring.
These two gardens feel secretive and overgrown, a sharp contrast to the open lawn and fountains. Come early on a weekday morning to have them nearly to yourself, especially in May and June when the white garden blooms heaviest.
Getting There and When to Visit
The park stretches between Quai André Citroën and Rue Balard. Métro Javel-André Citroën (line 10) or Balard (line 8) both land you at the park’s edge. RER C stops at Javel, a five-minute walk from the northern entrance.
Visit on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in late spring or summer to catch the fountains in full choreography and the balloon ascending with clear skies. For a quieter experience, come on a weekday morning when the greenhouses open and the lawns are empty. The park stays open until dusk year-round, with the greenhouses closing slightly earlier—confirm times on the Paris municipal site before you go.
Pack a picnic and settle on the central lawn with a view toward the Seine, or explore the color gardens one by one, each offering a different sensory mood. The park’s modern design won’t appeal to everyone, but for travelers weary of Louis XIV and Baron Haussmann, Parc André Citroën offers a breath of contemporary Parisian air.
Tours & experiences in Paris
Powered by Viator. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.