10 family walk ideas in green Paris

How can you remain unmoved by the sumptuous rooms of the Château de Versailles, the richness of their ornaments, the abundance of their gold and the beauty of their furniture? If, after the visit, your children need some fresh air, take them to the gardens of the Grand Trianon, which seem to stretch endlessly under the windows of the Sun King's residence. They can wander along the paths, leaving you free to admire the flowerbeds, statues and other architectural gems that line them, such as the famous 'Cascade' fountain. You can also visit the ice houses, small constructions using ingenious insulation techniques in which ice was stored.

The Rodin Museum offers you the privilege of admiring the artist's immortal statues, such as The Thinker and Aphrodite, nestled in a green setting at the heart of Paris. The park covers three hectares and is made up of ponds, rose gardens, lawns and flowerbeds. Take the time to discuss the emotions that these magnificent statues arouse in young and old alike, before entering the museum, which was once the sculptor's studio. And don't be surprised if you turn a corner and come face to face with one of the many rabbits that have taken up residence in the park...

With its beds of tea roses, French roses and old varieties from the Far East, the Roseraie du Val-de-Marne was the first of its kind when it was created in the late 19th century. Today, the park has 13 collection gardens containing more than 3,000 varieties of roses, many of which are rarities created between 1850 and 1950. Be sure to explore this wonderful garden and learn all about the enchanting world of the rose.

A short distance from Paris stands the medieval city of Provins, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the foot of its ramparts lies a rose garden where more than 450 varieties of roses grow. Go and discover these fragrant beds and try to find the Rosa gallica officinalis, a variety that Thibaud IV of Champagne brought back from the Crusades in 1240.

The aptly named Jardin des Plantes is the ideal nature break from the bustle of the capital. Created in 1632, it's a true sanctuary of biodiversity. You can lie down on the soft grass of a lawn for a simple picnic or embark on an exciting exploration of the animal and plant world. It is also home to the National Museum of Natural History and its unique collection of dinosaur and mammoth skeletons. Not to be missed!

Situated just 35 kilometres from the capital, this magnificent 17th-century château and its natural area of almost 100 hectares will delight you with its beauty and diversity. Take advantage of the vast expanses of the Belvedere forest, the Juine valley, the meadows and the gardens to get some fresh air. To spice things up, discover the estate in a fun and educational way through one of the Paris Region Adventures app's trail games.

Versailles is about much more than the luxury of a bygone era. Close to his château, Louis XIV had a superb vegetable garden planted with 60 varieties of fruit trees on which old-fashioned pruning techniques are still practiced today. To get there, follow the route that the monarch himself liked to take: descend from the château by the 'Hundred Steps' bordering the Orangery, then walk up the alley planted with magnificent pear trees to the parterres du Grand Carré, where the King used to linger to watch his gardeners at work. The King's Kitchen Garden can also be explored playfully through one of the Paris Region Adventures application's treasure hunts.

Around 30 kilometres from Paris stands the remarkable architectural ensemble of Saint-Jean de Beauregard, which includes a château, stables, a pigeonnier, a park and a vegetable garden. The latter, covering two hectares, is a favourite destination for garden lovers. The profusion of flowers, fruit and vegetables there will stimulate the senses of young and old alike. Some varieties are rare. Try to spot the unusual strawberry spinach...

Discover the life that the monks led eight centuries ago! Just an hour and a half's drive from Paris, Royaumont Abbey and its six hectares of green space are enchanting. Explore the cloister garden designed on a medieval model, as well as the vegetable garden, where the monks combined traditional growing techniques with experimental production methods. The cloister was restored in 2016 and has retained its main buildings, the most impressive of which are open to visitors.