Once home to the giant slaughterhouses of Paris, Parc de la Villette has kept just a few remnants of its industrial past—a hall, some old buildings—but most notably, its immense size. Spanning 35 hectares, it’s the largest park in Paris. In 1987, Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi transformed this site on the city’s northeastern edge, crossed by the Canal de l’Ourcq, into a vast contemporary park.
A Garden City for Everyone
Designed as a sort of “garden city,” the park connects two major landmarks: the Cité des Sciences in the north and the Grande Halle and Cité de la Musique in the south. It’s one of the few parks in Paris open all night, and that’s no accident—it’s not fenced in or closed off. Instead, it’s imagined as a space you move through as much as stay in: a place to relax, play, stroll, explore art, or just hang out.
A Hub for Events, Music, and Open-Air Fun
Its massive lawns regularly host public events. While the beloved Villette Sonique music festival is no longer running, the park is still buzzing with life, especially during the Open-Air Film Festival, which screens movies around a different theme each summer. The vibe is always festive—legend has it that over 2,000 people once got up to dance under the stars during the final credits of Grease.
Toward the end of summer, the Jazz à la Villette festival takes over, bringing rhythm and soul to the park. And with both the Cité des Sciences and Cité de la Musique on site, you could easily spend an entire day here. Music lovers will especially appreciate the Philharmonie de Paris, a 2,400-seat concert hall devoted mainly to classical music but also hosting a variety of performances.
As well as the lawns, which are used for an open-air film festival in summer, there are ten themed gardens bearing evocative names such as the Garden of Mirrors, of Mists, of Acrobatics and of Childhood Frights. South of the canal are Le Zénith, and the Grande Halle de la Villette – now used for trade fairs, exhibitions and September's jazz festival. It is flanked by the Conservatoire de la Musique and the Cité de la Musique, with rehearsal rooms, concert halls and the Musée de la Musique.
This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025.