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A 3-hectare garden is hidden on the roof of this Parisian train station

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The Editor

© Clément Dorval / Ville de Paris

Stations are often associated with strategic spots, used solely for practical purposes, like getting from point A to point B. They're places people pass through, where you don’t linger longer than it takes to grab a coffee while waiting for your train to leave. Yet, some of them hide spaces that are worth the detour... even if you don't have a train to catch!

As the lovely days seem to be truly back for good, all the Parisians are on the lookout for green spaces where they can relax for a lunch, take a nap, or enjoy a drink to fill up on vitamins. However, many have done the tour of the classics and are seeking more hidden spots, away from the crowds of sun-starved locals. Luckily, at Bonbon, we’re always on the hunt for the best places, and we’ve discovered for you a truly unique hanging garden.


The Impossible Garden

When you arrive near Montparnasse station, you often have one of those two objectives: catching a train to head to the west of France or grabbing a crepe at one of the countless creperies in the area.

. However, we have another activity to suggest for you: go soak up the sun on the roof of the station. Many of you might not know this, but it is completely green and is lovingly called the Jardin Atlantique (thanks to the train destinations, no doubt). Since 1994, an incredible concrete structure held up by twelve pillars has been covering the tracks. It’s a true technical feat that ensures the safety of the station and the strollers above, as well as the survival of the plants.
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Une publication partagée par FLAURE (@agenceflaure)


A peaceful haven in the heart of bustling Paris

For 32 years now, this unexpected and hidden gem (surrounded by the buildings close to the station) has been offering us a green oasis, straddling the 14th and 15th arrondissements. Divided into two sections, it features a French garden to the west, symmetrical and open, and a more dense and wild area, resembling a English garden to the east. Pine trees, plane trees, and mulberry trees bring life to this space, which also includes a playground, a workout area, and ping-pong tables, all bordered by native trees from the countries that extend on either side of the Atlantic. If the entire garden is an ode to the culture...At its very center, the fountain of "the island of the Hesperides", honors the sky that stretches above us, bringing together a huge thermometer, a rain gauge, a wind vane, and an anemometer. Finally, every little ray of sunshine is captured by a gigantic mirror, which adds to the delightful magic of this place.

Address: 1 Pl. des Cinq Martyrs du Lycée Buffon, 75015 Paris, France