In Paris 19th Arrondissement, you can focus on a variety of things: gardens, architecture, music, cultural events, and activities for children. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont combines a particularly steep garden with a temple on a rocky island and a biodiversity discovery trail. When planning, it helps to consider whether you are more interested in green spaces, collections, events, or a specific activity for children.
Parks between architecture and biodiversity
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is the largest and steepest garden in the city of Paris. On a rocky island in the lake stands Temple de la Sybille, a replica of the Temple of Tivoli. Parcours Biodiversité offers a different focus: QR codes at 28 stations provide information about a historic green space with exceptional biodiversity. This lets you choose between a route with several themed stops and a single architectural feature by the lake.
Parc de la Butte-du-Chapeau-Rouge represents another facet of Parisian garden design. It is a notable example of 1930s gardens and a work by architect Léon Azéma. Its period and named creator offer a specific point of entry into the park’s design history.
Music, views, and cultural venues
The Musée de la musique at the Philharmonie de Paris has a collection of more than 8,000 instruments and works of art; just under 1,000 are displayed in the permanent exhibition. The two figures refer to different scales: the entire collection and the portion on view in the permanent exhibition. The Belvédère de la Philharmonie offers a different focus. It is 37 meters above the ground and affords a unique view over the entire northeastern Paris Basin.
CENTQUATRE-PARIS in the 19th arrondissement offers performances, concerts, exhibitions, and workshops. There are also areas open to the public free of charge in its halls. TLM is a fully renovated railway hall on the former Petite Ceinture railway line. Since 2024, 600 square meters of the space have been dedicated to culture; TLM offers free activities and evening events. The venues therefore represent different kinds of cultural offerings: a wide-ranging program at CENTQUATRE-PARIS and the cultural use of a renovated railway hall at TLM.
Waterways and large cultural spaces
Tourist cruises depart daily from Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement, travelling between Bassin de la Villette and Port de l’Arsenal. If you plan to take a cruise, check the schedule in advance. Parc de la Villette offers a different focus: it is a 55-hectare urban cultural park, 35 hectares of which are open air. Its varied features include nature, modern architecture, leisure areas, cultural institutions, and event venues.
Activities for children and adults
Cité des enfants offers two interactive exhibitions for the age groups 2 to 7 and 5 to 12. Little Villette offers free activities and dedicated play areas for children. Cité des sciences et de l’industrie gives children and adults the chance to experience science through curiosity and discovery. These offerings have different focuses: specific age ranges and play areas on the one hand, and shared scientific discovery for children and adults on the other.
Discover more destinations: Paris 9th Arrondissement, 5th Arrondissement, 6th Arrondissement, 15th Arrondissement, Paris 1st Arrondissement, Paris 11, Ménilmontant, Paris 14.
See the main travel overview: Paris.
