A green oasis in the 8th arrondissement, Parc Monceau is arguably the most diverse garden in Paris. Its grounds contain an Egyptian pyramid, Corinthian pillars, a Venetian bridge and a Chinese pagoda, to name just a few Instagram-worthy features. It was created in the 17th century by order of the Duke of Chartres. You enter the park through the two large and monumental doors made by Gabriel Davioud in wrought iron and decorated with golden ornaments. The park is adorned with a large number of marble statues of famous French figures, especially writers and musicians, including Guy de Maupassant, Frédéric Chopin, Charles Gounod, Ambroise Thomas, Alfred de Musset, and Edouard Pailleron. Among other things, Monceau Park is rich in nature, thanks to the presence of ancient trees and flowers of all kinds. Of particular interest in the park are: the Naumachie, an oval basin surrounded by a semi-circular colonnade in Corinthian style and rich vegetation; and the Chartres Pavilion, Pavillon de Chartres, a round colonnade built by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, and originally intended as a lookout post for customs officers.
