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Paris is never short of associations with romance, but its picture-perfect setting hits its apogee in spring, when trees and flowers begin to bloom—adding pops of color to the cityscape—and milder temperatures make it easy to wander through its beautiful parks and gardens. Sandra Sigman knows this well. The renowned florist and author of French Blooms first came to Paris in the mid-'80s as a professional figure skater, and left with a dream to open a French-inspired flower shop. She returned home to Massachusetts in 1989 and opened Les Fleurs with her mother. Over 30 years later, it is a thriving space where Sigman and her team create seasonal flower arrangements and sell new and vintage French home and garden goods. Sigman splits her time between New England and her apartment in Paris, which serves as a launchpad for her sourcing trips across France.
In anticipation of spring, we asked Sigman to share a few of her favorite Parisian florists, shops, gardens, and parks—and she obliged with a ready-made itinerary for fellow flora enthusiasts. Her route is designed for walking, with one stop leading to the next, although it is not recommended that you try to cover it all in a day. If you walked it straight, without stopping, it would take you a couple hours and cover roughly six miles. But that isn’t the point of it, so take your time: sit in the gardens, marvel at the blooms, window-shop along the way, and bask in the romance of spring in Paris.
Note: With just one stop in the 5th arrondissement (Jardin des Plantes), this portion of the walk concentrates on the 6th and 7th arrondissement.
Jardin des Plantes
Initially established in the 17th century as a royal garden of medicinal plants under the patronage of King Louis XIII, this 68-acre wonder is home to an astounding 23,500 species of plants, as well as Paris’ oldest zoo, a prestigious school of botany, and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle.
Oz Garden Pour Flamant
Head to the back of the Flamant home shop on Rue de Furstemberg where you’ll find their petite floral shop, Oz Garden pour Flamant. “With flowers pouring out of the shop and into the square, it makes a great photo opp,” says Sigman. The charming surrounding area is made up of narrow streets packed with independent shops, including the tiny, fragrant spice shop, Compagnie Française.
Marin Montagut
French artist Marin Montagut’s enchanting cabinet of curiosities, with its glorious hunter-green facade, houses a whimsical collection of homeware and objets d'art. “I love finding unconventional items to use as vases, like Montagut’s beautifully illustrated bonbonnières,” recommends Sigman.
Alix D. Reynis
One of Sigman’s favorite things to do while in Paris is to discover local artisans, and for years now, she’s been a loyal customer of Alix D. Reynis. This shop specializes in exquisitely crafted jewelry and French porcelain. Every piece of porcelain dinnerware is handmade with superior craftsmanship in their Limoges workshop. From elegantly fluted vases to small petaled dessert plates, these porcelain works of art can be used for flower arranging or simply to decorate a beautiful tablescape.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Located in the 6th arrondissement, this majestic royal garden took its inspiration from the Boboli Gardens in Florence. In the center lies the impressive Luxembourg Palace, built in the 17th century for Italian-born Queen Marie de’ Médicis and modeled after the Palazzo Pitti of Florence to remind her of home. It’s a classic Parisian park filled with older men playing boules and couples strolling hand-in-hand. “I never go to Paris without stopping by the Luxembourg gardens,” says Sigman. “Head there in the morning and stroll until you find the Médicis water fountain. It’s such a peaceful way to start your day.”
Adriane M. Fleuriste
Located on the corner of Rue Saint-Dominique and Rue de Bellechasse in the 7th arrondissement, the expansive outdoor floral displays turn the sidewalk outside Adriane M. Fleuriste into an urban garden. Peek inside and you’ll be delightfully overwhelmed with the masses of plants and flowers.
Gardens of the Musée Rodin
Start by taking a tour of the intimate museum, located in the Hôtel Biron. From there, stroll through the seven-acre garden, where nature melds seamlessly with Rodin’s sculptures, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell. Come spring, when the garden fills with an abundance of roses, you can eat at the outdoor terrace of the café L’Augustine.
Les Invalides
A stunning, scenic walk with museums and monuments everywhere you look, including the Musée de L’Armée and Napoleon’s tomb.
Jump over to the 1st arrondissement to continue the wander….
Jardin des Tuileries
With a rich history dating back to the 16th century, The Tuileries Garden was first designed as a formal garden for the Tuileries Palace. Its manicured lawns, statues, fountains, and flower beds encourage leisurely strolls and fuel creativity. It’s French gardening at its finest, and the views of The Louvre are breathtaking.
Maison Vertumne
Nestled behind the Palais Royal, this ochre-green shop has a dramatic interior that features ceiling installations and murals, along with seasonal floral displays. Florist Clarisse Béraud carefully selects the color and type of bloom to tell her client’s story, meaning every arrangement is highly unique. “Her arrangements are voluptuous and exquisitely made with luxurious, seasonal flowers,” says Sigman. “It’s easy to see why clients have been coming back to Béraud and her prestigious shop for over 20 years.”
Jardin du Palais-Royal
The perfect spot to sit down, picnic, and take in the blooms and architectural beauty around you. “Grab a jambon-beurre sandwich at a nearby boulangerie,” recommends Sigman, “claim a seat on one of the benches, and enjoy a tranquil moment in this ever-busy city.”
