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Nature
(by David)

Gardens, Parks and "Squares"

The problem with parks in Paris is that one can hardly call them "nature". Sure they're beautiful with their well aligned trees, their statues, their clean-cut hedges, but they're really not that fun to hang out in if you want to be surrounded by green spaces, the worst part being the "forbidden lawns" as apparently in Paris lawn is made to be seen not to be stepped or sat on.
Still, there are a few exceptions.
By the way a "square" is Parisian for a very tiny miniature version of a public garden.

1st Arrondissement

• Jardin du Carroussel: East end of Jardin des Tuileries, around the Arc du Carroussel (Mº Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre)
  
  Doesn't qualify as "nature", but the lawn in between the hedges is one of the few lawns in the heart of the city where one can go and it's worth mentioning. And the view, simply one of the best in Paris.
  

• Square du Vert-Galant: by the Pont Neuf, west end of Île de la Cité (Mº Pont-neuf)
  
  I'm not a big fan of "squares" but this one is very special. It has an amazing location (and historical one too) and that's what makes all the difference.
   

7th Arrondissement

• Champ de Mars: between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire (Mº École Militaire or Bir-Hakeim, RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel)
  
  Maybe one of the most famous parks in the world (except that many foreigners don't know its name), one of the best places in town to have a picnic, or just to chill out.
  

10th Arrondissement

• Canal St-Martin: Quai de Valmy & Quai de Jemmapes (several metro stations)
  
  Not really nature, but another great spot to have a picnic or just hang out and listen to random musicians that like to play here. Sometimes a little too crowded though.
  

12th Arrondissement

• Parc de Bercy / Jardin Yitzhak Rabin: (Mº Bercy or Cour-St-Émilion)
  
  One of the most beautiful and peaceful garden in Paris. If I had to advise only one, it would be this one.
   

19th Arrondissement

• Parc des Buttes Chaumont: (Mº Botzaris or Buttes-Chaumont)
  
  The Central Park of Paris (much smaller though), located on the side of a hill, it's one of the best place to spend a restful sunny afternoon. It's one of the few places in Paris that is not all well trimmed and aligned, there's a pond with a big rock in the middle that offers a good few of the north part of Paris, a few streams, etc, etc.
  Tends to be crowded at times.
   

20th Arrondissement

• Parc de Belleville: (Mº Couronnes or Pyrénées)
  
  One of Paris best kept secret. This park is unknown by pretty much all tourists, mostly because it's in a the middle of a working class area, and far from any sightseeing. Except that the best sight to see may just be there, as this park offers in my opinion the best view of Paris one can imagine. As for the park itself with its interesting layout, it's worth spending some time in it too.