🇫🇷 Paris · Parc André Citroën 🚗️ · Balloon Park in the 15th Distric

Tired of the usual Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower lines, and Louvre queues? Looking for a less crowded and more relaxing place to explore? I found a hidden gem—the Parc André Citroën! 😆 - This place feels like it's "outside of Paris," quiet, spacious, and strangely healing. It's not a bustling amusement park but offers wide-open spaces and a sense of freedom. - Yes, it's named after the Citroën car company. This area used to be a Citroën factory, and it was transformed into a park during urban renewal. It sounds industrial, but it's actually lush with greenery, artistic structures, and perfect for unwinding. - First things first: the hot air balloon! 🎈 The park's main attraction is the Ballon de Paris, a huge tethered hot air balloon that you can see from afar. It looks like a cartoon prop that wandered into the wrong scene. The balloon is attached to a large rope and won't fly away! It ascends to 150 meters, offering a panoramic view of the Paris skyline, including the Eiffel Tower. And it's not crowded like the Eiffel Tower! The price is reasonable (around 15€, depending on the season), but it may be closed on windy days. - To be honest, when I first visited, I was a bit confused: Why is this place so "empty"? There are no snack carts, no photo-op sculptures, and not many cafés. But the more I explored, the more I realized that this place is perfect for "doing nothing." - It's actually a very "conceptual" park, divided into several main areas: • A large central lawn perfect for picnics, daydreaming, and rolling around. • Modern glass greenhouses and geometric gardens on either side, resembling a design school's graduation expo. • Rows of themed gardens with names like "Blue Garden," "Orange Garden," and "White Garden," each with a touch of romantic design, like fountains, streams, and metal sculptures. - The area is not crowded, so you won't feel awkward with people constantly taking photos around you. - ❤️😘 A few tips: • You can reach the park by taking Metro Line 8 to Balard or RER-C to Javel. • The balloon operates depending on the weather, so check online or call ahead to confirm. • There aren't many dining options nearby, so consider bringing a light meal for a picnic on the lawn! • The park is large, and many people jog there, so wear comfortable shoes. Although the park closes at 20:30, they start clearing people out around 20:00. 🏃 #ParisianParks #15thDistrictParis #France #HotAirBalloon #ParkStrolls #ParisParkRecommendations #SmallParisParks #ParisianLife #ParisTravel #ParisTravelTips #FreeParisActivities #SpringSwap