The 10 most beautiful trees of Paris

In Paris, 191 trees are listed as Remarquables (Veteran Trees). They are remarkable not only for their size, age, and unusual shape, but also for the rarity of their species. Here is an overview!

By City of Paris

Ginkgo biloba (2020)City of Paris

1. The Parc Montsouris' maidenhair tree

The Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair tree , is believed to have emerged more than 270 million years ago, which would qualify it as the first tree on Earth. The one in Parc Montsouris was planted in 1935.

Sequoiadendron giganteum (2020)City of Paris

2. The giant sequoia in Parc de Bagatelle

Planted in 1872, this giant sequoia now reaches 88 feet high, and it is still growing. It belongs to the Cupressaceae family which includes the biggest and oldest trees on Earth. Some of them can be up to 280 feet high!

Zelkova carpinifolia (2020)City of Paris

3. The Caucasian elm on Avenue Foch

Planted in 1952 on one of the avenues leading to the Arc de Triomphe, this elm stands out for its impressive size of 100 feet high. In fall, it develops a lovely copper shade.

Quercus ilex (2020)City of Paris

4. The Parc Montsouris' evergreen oak

This oak tree can be recognized by its slanted shape. The gardener of Montsouris explains that it was previously in competition with a tree growing nearby. The latter fell during the 1999 winter storm, giving the oak tree the necessary space to thrive!

Platanus x hispanica (2020)City of Paris

5. The Parc Montsouris' London plane tree

The plane tree is a typical species of the French Second Empire. The works undertaken by Baron Haussmann at the time favored it along the major Parisian avenues that had just been opened up, as well as in the new parks such as Montsouris.

Sophora japonica (2020)City of Paris

6. The Japanese pagoda tree in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Planted in 1873 by the park's lake, this Japanese pagoda tree was awarded the national label Arbre Remarquable de France (French Veteran Tree) in 2015. This species is very well suited to urban environments and can withstand low temperatures, high heat, drought, and air pollution.

Platanus orientalis (2020)City of Paris

7. The Bois de Boulogne's oriental plane

Ideally located on the island of the lower lake, this plane tree far exceeds its fellow trees with its 85-foot height. If you rent a small boat, you can admire it in full surround … as long as you row!

Fagus sylvatica ''Riversii' (2020)City of Paris

8. The Parc Montsouris' beech riversii

Another arbre remarquable in Montsouris! This exceptional 60 feet high tree that thrives on the main lawn, has a trunk of more than 13 feet in diameter.

Salix babylonica (2020)City of Paris

9. The weeping willow of the Île de la Cité

Planted in 2009 to replace its ailing predecessor, this tree is particularly appreciated by Parisians. During the warmer months, concerts, picnics, and naps (!) regularly take place under its branches.

Pterocarya stenoptera (2020)City of Paris

10. The Chinese wingnut of the Serres d'Auteuil

Planted in 1905, this Chinese wingnut is a spreading tree that belongs to the Juglandaceae family. In Paris, you can also admire century-old specimens in the Jardin des Plantes and Parc Montsouris, but not all trees are labeled arbres remarquables.

Araucaria araucana (2020)City of Paris

Since 2000, the A.R.B.R.E.S. association awards the Arbre Remarquable de France label to institutions and people who own an exceptional tree, and who are committed to maintaining and promoting it as a natural and cultural heritage.

Credits: Story

To learn more about trees in Paris, check out Paris.fr

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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