Parc de la Villette
Parc de la Villette
4
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
About
This 130-acre park in northeast Paris is home to a music academy, a science museum and an IMAX theater.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: 19th Arr. - Buttes-Chaumont
How to get there
- Porte de la Villette • 7 min walk
- Corentin Cariou • 8 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
587 reviews
Excellent
234
Very good
224
Average
74
Poor
35
Terrible
20
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Getaway64417256646
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
We came to see, as every year, the illuminations of La Villette Park, which are usually very pleasant and accessible to everyone for free. I was extremely disappointed by the sudden change from a public event to a ticketed event. No prior notification was given which completely ruined the experience. A lack of transparency which leaves a bitter impression
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomasdeslai
Hong Kong, China31 contributions
Dec 2013 • Solo
After I visited the music museum, I decide to go in this park and I when by myself, I'm giving a very serious advice, DO NOT GO IN IF YOU'RE ALONE! As I was walking deep inside the east side of the park, I thought it's safe because outside there are many people, there were 7-8 bunch of arabic men started yell at me and chase me with KNIFES, I know I was wrong and stupid walk to somewhere quiet alone in Paris, but It was in the middle of the day! I was terrified as hell and luckily I ran away, never felt death so close in my life, I thought I was really going to get stabbed to die. Trust me on this...
Written 6 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeckyBooBird
Fort Myers Beach, FL501 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
Parc de la Villette is a large, 125-acre park located in the far northeastern corner of Paris. It is split in two by a canal, the Canal de l’Ourcq. The design of the park has been and still is controversial because it departs so completely from the traditional idea of a picturesque French park. The architect, Bernard Tschumi, won a competition to design a modern park as a redevelopment project on abandoned land formerly used for a meat market and slaughterhouses that dated back to 1860. His idea of a park was a place to explore and discover rather than a place to passively enjoy. He put 26 red “Follies,” traditionally ornamental garden buildings, on a grid in the park to give visitors a sense of organization. At any rate, the follies have become closely identified with Villette, but they are spread over far too large an area and obstructed by buildings and trees to ever be used as “guideposts.”
There are a number of buildings in the park. Some were built especially for the park, like the Philharmonie concert hall, and some were repurposed, like the Théàtre de la Villette, which had been a leather trading hall in the days of the cattle market. The Grand Hall, which once housed the cattle market, is now a venue for entertainment and trade shows. Two standout buildings of the park are the huge shiny orb, the Geode, a theater which houses a 360 degree screen, and the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Europe’s largest science museum. Close by is an actual decommissioned submarine, the Argonaut, turned museum, which visitors can tour. There are many more theaters, restaurants, concert and exhibition halls, kiddie rides and art studios within the park.
There are also 10 Themed Gardens, two of which were especially interesting to me. One was the “Garden of Mirrors.” It has 28 free-standing 6 ½ foot high mirrors set in amongst pine and maple trees. As you walk through the garden, trees and reflections of trees blend into a disjointed-looking woodland. The other garden is the “Garden of the Dragon,” where there is a huge sculptural dragon with an 80 foot slide coming out of the dragon’s “mouth” for children to slide down. The slide is totally enclosed so that no one can fall out.
You don’t go to this park to relax and take in its beauty, as you might go to the Luxembourg Gardens. You participate in your journey. Maybe you take a 2 ½ hour cruise down the St Martin Canal from Place de la Bastille to Park de la Villette. Or you go to this park to visit an exhibit in the science museum, take in a 3-D movie in the Geode, attend a concert in the Philharmonie, visit the museum of classical music instruments in Cité de la Musique, or do a number of other activities that the architect intended all along when he designed this landscaped, multi-purpose, urban space.
There are a number of buildings in the park. Some were built especially for the park, like the Philharmonie concert hall, and some were repurposed, like the Théàtre de la Villette, which had been a leather trading hall in the days of the cattle market. The Grand Hall, which once housed the cattle market, is now a venue for entertainment and trade shows. Two standout buildings of the park are the huge shiny orb, the Geode, a theater which houses a 360 degree screen, and the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Europe’s largest science museum. Close by is an actual decommissioned submarine, the Argonaut, turned museum, which visitors can tour. There are many more theaters, restaurants, concert and exhibition halls, kiddie rides and art studios within the park.
There are also 10 Themed Gardens, two of which were especially interesting to me. One was the “Garden of Mirrors.” It has 28 free-standing 6 ½ foot high mirrors set in amongst pine and maple trees. As you walk through the garden, trees and reflections of trees blend into a disjointed-looking woodland. The other garden is the “Garden of the Dragon,” where there is a huge sculptural dragon with an 80 foot slide coming out of the dragon’s “mouth” for children to slide down. The slide is totally enclosed so that no one can fall out.
You don’t go to this park to relax and take in its beauty, as you might go to the Luxembourg Gardens. You participate in your journey. Maybe you take a 2 ½ hour cruise down the St Martin Canal from Place de la Bastille to Park de la Villette. Or you go to this park to visit an exhibit in the science museum, take in a 3-D movie in the Geode, attend a concert in the Philharmonie, visit the museum of classical music instruments in Cité de la Musique, or do a number of other activities that the architect intended all along when he designed this landscaped, multi-purpose, urban space.
Written 15 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
radio_hack
London, UK142 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
This is a fairly bonkers idea from the start.
Lets find an abandoned abattoir and meat market, preferably sandwiched between the Road from Hell and one of the most sophisticated capitals in the world and turn it into a cultural centre. Ooh no, a children's play area. How about making it educational? No no, it's in a city, let's make it a green getaway from city life. And then let's......I know, let's take all the really old and interesting buildings and stick a completely unnecessary red....thing..... in front of each of them.
That's the only explanation I can think of for Parc La Villette. It has the feeling of somewhere created by a not particularly consensual committee with large open spaces, a brilliant Science Museum, several cultural venues and the most pointless red follies known to man.
We were staying in the 19th right opposite the Parc and really enjoyed seeing it. But if I'd made the effort to get a Metro from the centre of Paris and was time limited, I think it would feel a tad pointless. There are parks, better architecture and alternative museums all in the centre; why travel to this one?
However, if you are staying nearby, it should go into your 'must-see' list. Try it late afternoon when French mums take the children to work off the final sparks of energy and when runners and roller bladers make you glad you're on holiday and don't have to exercise. Even if you don't want to spend a day in the Science museum, you can marvel at the awesome Geode outside and visit the small but free aquarium inside. On the south side is a selection of individual shops where you can get all the makings for an excellent picnic to eat in the Parc or choose from a number of restaurants.
You might even just want to drive off the Peripherique (aka the Road from Hell); from the slip road to the (paid for) car park is a maximum 5 mins.
It's worth noting that, if you are staying locally, it's possible to walk into the centre of Paris alongside the Canal St Denis from the Parc. It will take a few hours of leisurely strolling but, particularly if you are staying for several day or you have visited before, it's a lovely day's entertainment. Make sure you know some thing about revolutionary France to make the most of it.
Lets find an abandoned abattoir and meat market, preferably sandwiched between the Road from Hell and one of the most sophisticated capitals in the world and turn it into a cultural centre. Ooh no, a children's play area. How about making it educational? No no, it's in a city, let's make it a green getaway from city life. And then let's......I know, let's take all the really old and interesting buildings and stick a completely unnecessary red....thing..... in front of each of them.
That's the only explanation I can think of for Parc La Villette. It has the feeling of somewhere created by a not particularly consensual committee with large open spaces, a brilliant Science Museum, several cultural venues and the most pointless red follies known to man.
We were staying in the 19th right opposite the Parc and really enjoyed seeing it. But if I'd made the effort to get a Metro from the centre of Paris and was time limited, I think it would feel a tad pointless. There are parks, better architecture and alternative museums all in the centre; why travel to this one?
However, if you are staying nearby, it should go into your 'must-see' list. Try it late afternoon when French mums take the children to work off the final sparks of energy and when runners and roller bladers make you glad you're on holiday and don't have to exercise. Even if you don't want to spend a day in the Science museum, you can marvel at the awesome Geode outside and visit the small but free aquarium inside. On the south side is a selection of individual shops where you can get all the makings for an excellent picnic to eat in the Parc or choose from a number of restaurants.
You might even just want to drive off the Peripherique (aka the Road from Hell); from the slip road to the (paid for) car park is a maximum 5 mins.
It's worth noting that, if you are staying locally, it's possible to walk into the centre of Paris alongside the Canal St Denis from the Parc. It will take a few hours of leisurely strolling but, particularly if you are staying for several day or you have visited before, it's a lovely day's entertainment. Make sure you know some thing about revolutionary France to make the most of it.
Written 29 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LMExplorer
Redmond, WA60 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We were traveling with our kids ages 6 & 7 and made a full afternoon at this park by combining the interactive science experience at the nearby Cite des Enfants. There are multiple free playgrounds including a long dragon slide on one side of the canal and age-based play spaces with zip lines and trampolines near the carnival area. These were the best playgrounds we found in Paris (I feel like we visited them all!) and they were all free. This is easily accessible from the Metro so it didn't matter that it was a little outside of the center. We went on a Sunday and it was packed with locals (not tourists) by the time we headed back in early evening.
Written 26 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tempest1967
Warren, NJ84 contributions
May 2015 • Business
I kept hearing of the dangers of this park and the surrounding area. I found a park full of charm, families and real life. It was fantastic and I would definitely bring my own children here when I'm back in July. The surrounding neighborhood is up and coming and pretty cool. I love it. Then again, I'm from NY so not much phases me. I just know that I felt as comfortable in La Villette Parc as I did in Central Park. Great museums, great kids playgrounds, great walking areas, great surrounding eats...a winner in my book.
Written 8 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EmilyL95765
Richmond, VA80 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
we visited in April 2014 with 8 and 11 year olds...the "park" is basically not there any more. The dragon slide that is promoted in all the tour books is closed and does not look like it will reopen. The open space is largely just some walking paths from the main street to the science museum. The science museum is one of the best we have ever experienced....lots of stuff to do and most of the interactive stuff works fine. We did not see an imax movie, but it looked cool. The "park" area is full of adults who should not be there and not the type of people I would let my children hang out with.....and they were sitting on all the swings. The cool "bike" structure says "do not climb" so no fun there either. I would go again for the science museum, but do not promise a park to your kids. Also, WORST food of my life in the museum restaurant.....don't eat there!
Written 18 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cumbriancastle
Kirkby Stephen, UK25 contributions
Travelling to Paris with children? If you are heading to the Parc de la Villette in Eastern Paris be aware that the park itself is a miserable run down wasteland. The main attraction is the science museum which is well worth the trip but don't get sucked into the promises of an adventure exploring the gardens to get there. They are not worth the effort and you could easilt waste a couple of hours hoping things are about to get better around the next corner. Instead, stay on the metro a few extra stops and get off at La Villette and go straight to the museum which is mind blowing. Also, the submarine, the Argonaut is a must, especially for boys.
Written 4 September 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,830 contributions
Apr 2019
There is a lot here. It's the site of a former slaughter house and animal pen. Now a science center, a music museum, a performing arts com[lex, a shopping center with a movie theater, plus a big open park with lots of water features.
Written 26 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RBtravel
Ormskirk, UK7 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Free to enter this big park, set in the grounds of the science and industry museum, there are loads of really interesting walkways, an enclosed play area, boats to hire and other cool things to investigate, climb and slide on.
Be aware that the toilets (as in most public areas in Paris) are best avoided. There are a couple of drink/ice cream vendors and a small cafe.
Well worth a visit to get out of the city for a few hours, you must find the water features nestled in the garden of tranquility - very weird and interesting bit of engineering!
Be aware that the toilets (as in most public areas in Paris) are best avoided. There are a couple of drink/ice cream vendors and a small cafe.
Well worth a visit to get out of the city for a few hours, you must find the water features nestled in the garden of tranquility - very weird and interesting bit of engineering!
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olá. Sabem dizer se é possível entrar com trolley, ou se tem local para fazer depósito de malas ? Obrigada
Written 27 June 2019
Hi Adel, just check Velib addresses at the place.
Best Regards!
Written 30 September 2018
Bonjour! Pour la baignade au parc de la Villette, est-ce qu'il y a un endroit pour garder nos choses sous clé?
Written 13 August 2018
Bonjour!
Combien de temps dure une visite faite à un rythme 'normal'?
Written 27 June 2018
S’agi Seulement de cette expérience audiovisuelle 15’ sont amplement suffisantes quant au parc lui-même de 2h à toute la journée ou presque.
Written 28 June 2018
DRMcucchi
Bergamo, Italy
Buon giorno desidero sapere se devo prenotare i biglietti sia per il museo della scienza che per la città dei bambini. Ho infatti trovato la possibilità di acquistare i biglietti per il museo ma nell'ingresso questo esclude esplicitamente la città dei bambini
Written 14 August 2015
Io ho visto il museo della scienza. Carino. Per il quale serve il biglietto o il Paris museum pass che tra l'altro ti fa saltare molte code in quasi tutti i musei. Ho visitato anche il parco (senza biglietto). Alla città dei bambini non sono andato quindi non so dirti
Written 15 August 2015
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