19th Arrondissement of Paris: Parks, Culture and Music

In the 19th Arrondissement of Paris, you can tailor your stay to a wide range of interests: expansive green spaces, architecture, music, performances or activities for children. If you’re looking for a hotel, these highlights can help you decide which themes matter to you on your trip. Paris’s parks have distinctive features of their own, as do its museums and cultural venues.

Parks and Garden Design

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is the largest and steepest garden in the city of Paris. The Temple de la Sybille, a replica of the temple in Tivoli, stands on a rocky island in the lake. The park and the structure thus combine an expansive green space with a distinct architectural feature. If you’re interested in the history and biodiversity of this green space, the Parcours Biodiversité offers a discovery trail with 28 stops. QR codes provide information about the area’s history and particularly rich biodiversity.

Parc de la Butte-du-Chapeau-Rouge offers a different perspective on Parisian garden design: it is considered a representative example of 1930s gardens and is the work of architect Léon Azéma. Along with the distinctive layout of Buttes-Chaumont, it offers an interesting comparison if you’d like to explore the different design accents of Parisian parks.

Music, Architecture and Culture

The Musée de la musique at the Philharmonie de Paris houses more than 8,000 instruments and art objects, nearly 1,000 of which are on display in the permanent exhibition. The difference between the size of the collection and the items on display gives you an idea of the museum’s breadth. Another striking landmark is the Belvédère de la Philharmonie: 37 meters above the ground, it offers a unique view of the entire northeastern Paris basin.

CENTQUATRE-PARIS in the 19th Arrondissement offers performances, concerts, exhibitions and workshops. Its halls also contain areas that are open to the public free of charge. The venue’s cultural program thus ranges from events to public spaces. TLM also combines a distinctive location with cultural activities: the fully redeveloped railway hall is situated on the former Petite Ceinture railway line in the 19th Arrondissement. Since 2024, 600 square meters have been dedicated to culture. TLM offers free activities and evening events; check event dates when planning your visit.

Waterways and Family Activities

Tourist cruises depart daily from Bassin de la Villette in the 19th Arrondissement, traveling between the basin and Port de l’Arsenal. If you’d like to include a cruise in your day’s plans, check the schedule before your visit. Parc de la Villette is also a versatile option when deciding between a park and a cultural activity: the urban cultural park covers 55 hectares, of which 35 hectares are open-air. It brings together nature, modern architecture, leisure areas, cultural institutions and event venues.

For children, the Cité des enfants offers two interactive exhibitions: one for ages 2 to 7 and another for ages 5 to 12. The age ranges overlap for children aged 5 to 7. The Cité des sciences et de l’industrie gives children and adults the chance to explore science with curiosity. Little Villette offers free activities and dedicated play areas for children. When planning, you can choose based on whether an interactive exhibition, a playful activity or a larger cultural park is the best fit for your family’s interests.

Discover more destinations: Paris 16, L'entrepot, Paris 17, Paris 8, 7th Arrondissement, Paris 11, 18th Arrondissement, Gobelins

For the main travel overview: Paris.