NY Times correspondent Elaine Sciolino, who lives in Paris, describes several hard-to-find parks (some within well-known parks) throughout the city. The Alpine Garden (Jardin alpine) is the one I hope to track down next month.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/tr...anted=all&_r=0

The square Bela Bartok in the 15th is quite nice. Friends with a pied-à-terre a couple blocks away did not know of its existence.

Bookmarking

A lot has evolved since that article was written 7 years ago. I recommend finding a more recent document.

The Alpine garden in the Jardin des Plantes is a real gem. I haven´t seen much of it this year as it has been closed every time I have passed. I was closed again last Friday; the rest of the Jardin des Plantes was open however.

If you like gardens, I would take M10 to the other end, Boulogne/Pont de St Cloud, and visit the Jardin d´Albert Kahn. It is open from Tuesday through Sunday, 11h00 to 19h00. There is a 1.50€ entrance fee. It´s probably the best garden overall in Paris.

That article might be interesting for people who don't walk around on their own, but the idea that Square Rene Viviani across from Notre Dame, next to Shakespeare & Co. book store, is hidden or hard to find is laughable. It's usually full of homeless people, some dead drunk. And I doubt if that hospital (which I've been in as a health professional on a tour) wants tons of tourists coming into it to view the garden.

marking - the type of info I love - have been to most but interesting to read about them.