Just North of the Palais Royal, enter the intimate, but regal garden, where you generally encounter more Parisians than tourists.

It’s definitely small, and surely there are more famous parks for strolling. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to make the hit parade of large tourist attractions, which accounts for its peaceful vibe. On weekday afternoons , schoolchildren pass through the park in their uniforms, carrying sacs full of books.

Businessmen take seats under the chestnut trees, to read their papers and enjoy a snack from the local patisserie. Mommies and nannies with strollers take a break from the clamor of the district, and park themselves in the sun, chatting and cooing at babies.

The arcades of the Palais Royal, once the abode of Cardinal Richelieu, and then the young Louis XIV, surround the park and are home to some high end boutiques and the incomparable restaurant, Le Grand Vefour. Marc Jacobs has opened a shop here, and at Didier Ludot, be prepared to find the vintage Chanel jacket of your dreams.
But before you dine and shop, build up an appetite, meandering through the garden, discovering the sweet magic of this bucolic refuge.

JARDIN DU PALAIS ROYAL
Place du Palais Royal
1st Arrondisement
Metro:Palais Royal