Paris Outskirts

A VISIT to Park Alsace in Levallois – Northern Suburb

Do you find yourself for the day in the So West area of Levallois and want to take the kids for some outdoor time? Park Alsace to the rescue! The Park Alsace it’s a nice neighborhood park, more than likely designed for the residents of the area. But located right outside the So Ouest mall, it creates the perfect option for families to shop and play, allowing little ones to get some energy out. There’s also a Starbucks coffee and Chipotle burrito across the street which I thoroughly enjoyed. There is a dedicated exercise area, that includes a nice variety of equipment. Then there’s a complete playground for the bigger kids and a nice one for the smaller kids. There are also toilets on site which makes for a great day outing, as well as a multi-court (basketball or futsal), ping-pong tables, and green space for a nice picnic. The Green space in this park is a little less than other locations, not allowing for a large place to kick a soccer ball or to ride the bikes around, but there is a dedicated rocky path around the park that can be used for bikes and scooters. It ticks all my boxes for a pleasant park outing. The kids thoroughly enjoyed our quick visit and I got a burrito across the street which made it more than amazing!

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Petit-le-Roy in Chevily-Larue

If you find yourself in the southern suburbs of Paris, the Petit-le-Roy Park, located in Chevily-Larue is a great place for the kids to let off some energy! We were here for the day visiting some friends who lived nearby and really enjoyed a picnic in the park and a bit of sunshine. As a very expansive park, it definitely can keep the family entertained for hours. Apart from sprawling green spaces ideal for football games, frisbee throwing, volleyball, or whatever one may choose, the park also offers an large play area tailored for school-aged children. Climbing structures, numerous slides, bridges, and tunnels create a desert castle-themed adventure zone. For younger kids, there’s a smaller play area featuring rocking horses and a sandbox. The park’s thoughtful design extends to a trail that encircles the premises, catering to biking enthusiasts. Along this scenic path, you’ll encounter workout stations equipped with pull-up bars, dips, and sit-up opportunities – a bonus for those looking to incorporate a bit of fitness into their outdoor escapade. While the park provides a public bathroom at its center, it’s advisable to bring along snacks if you plan to indulge in a longer stay, as there are limited businesses in the immediate vicinity. Petit-le-Roy Park stands as a testament to the simple joys of outdoor recreation, offering a perfect blend of play, relaxation, and exploration for families seeking a memorable day in the southern suburbs of Paris. The park also offers a small splashpad in the summer! So vive l’été !

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Skate Park Sevines Gennevilliers

Parc des Sévines IN THE NORTHEAST SUBURB

If you find yourself in the northeast suburbs of Paris, you might want to find out more about Parc des Sèvines in Gennevilliers. Is it good for kids? Is there a playground? What’s there to do?  Well, I’m happy to report my young ones and I spent a happy afternoon here recently and enjoyed the parks’ offerings. The park itself is huge, occupying twelve hectares of green space, including gardens, playgrounds, soccer pitches, and even an equestrian space. Yet the part we explored was the south side, with an entrance at the Rue des Cabouefs and Avenue Laurent Cely intersection. Here one can find two play structures surrounded by green space. These are appropriate for kids up to twelve, and while not designed for younger climbers, they might still enjoy them with help. There is no specific toddler space. To the south of this is a newer area comprised of a small rock wall area, outdoor exercise equipment, a skate park, and a climbing area my son refers to as the “monkey area” as it contains a mini ropes course. The kids adored climbing a bit in this space and even the 4-year-old could get from one end to the other. The crown jewel of this area was the new skate park that contained mini ramps, a spine, a very big pool, a fun box, a flat rail, and a variety of ramps and edges for different ages and experience levels. As we visited on a Saturday afternoon, I was surprised at the number of kids who showed up with helmets and knee pads on their scooters and skateboards (mostly scooters). A crew of elementary-aged kids enjoyed the smaller ramps while some older kids showed off their skills, including a lot of spins, in the big bowl. It was definitely fun to watch and I was glad my kids brought their scooters and could join in. Note: Skate park terms found here. Besides the playgrounds and awesome skatepark, we also enjoyed simply a lot of green space as we scooted along the path and watched the many soccer matches that were going on. This park offers a variety of spaces for families and is definitely worth a visit if you live in the neighborhood.  A negative, however, was the lack of bathrooms in the immediate area. There may have been some farther afield, but there were no bathrooms or water fountains to meet those essential urges. Prepare accordingly if you visit.

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Asnieres-Sur-Seine Mairie Park

Marcel Leclerc Park in Asnières-sur-Seine

A fun family park in the Asnières-sur-Seine neighborhood, Le Square de Marcel Leclerc offers everything a family might need for a nice afternoon or morning in the park.  With ample green space, many families decide to picnic here under the trees or taking in a little sun. While others play on the playground with the kids. There’s a rather large play area with a climbing hill and some ropes to balance on as well as two playgrounds for smaller and bigger kids, as well as a dedicated toddler playground. For the adventurous, there’s a small carousel that will cost you a few euros a ride. There’s also a small refreshment station, with drinks, Cotton candy, and a variety of sweet snacks. Situated right next to Townhall (La Mairie), there are a variety of restaurants and shops nearby, including a Japanese restaurant right across the street. The Townhall often has events on its plaza as well, and the early afternoon I last visited, there were a variety of food trucks with a wide range of offerings. One of the favorite features of my kids is the small pond that has a beautiful white swan, ducks, and turtles. There’s also an area to play pétanque, but you’ll have to bring your own balls. Like many Paris parks, there’s also a built-in ping-pong table for which you should also bring your own rackets. Public toilets are available, though a bit stinky. Bikes and scooters are allowed in the park and there’s also a space to kick the ball around.

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Castle Park Suresnes Green space

A Gorgeous Day at the Castle Park in Suresnes – Northwest Suburb

The Castle Park at Suresnes is perfect for an afternoon out. Though my kids and I do not live in the neighbourhood, they love going here, mostly to enjoy the awesome playground itself. There is an extensive castle theme with slides and climbing for all ages. Bigger kids may enjoy climbing to the top of the tower (via a small inside climbing wall) and descending down the huge metal tube slide. They also love the swings, which not every Paris park has, and make me push them endlessly.  Beyond the playground, there is a nice paved loop that can be walked or ridden by bike or scooter. Along the way, there are exercise areas, including 8 different Parcours activities, scattered through the park along the loop. And a small duck pond and bird area are on the west end, including a gorgeous peacock and some other interesting birds. There is also a ton of green space that visitors are invited to picnic on or to play on, thus this time we enjoyed a bit of baseball in the park.  In the summer, there is a fountain that is on and bathers can be spotted playing in the water and an ice cream truck has been seen at times outside the gate. If you don’t bring your own food for a picnic, don’t worry as there is a Franprix just a few blocks north of the main park entrance and the downtown area of Suresnes is only a few blocks to the east.

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