How to Visit Parc de la Vallée aux Loups, Hauts-de-Seine
Last Updated on 17th May 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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If you’re looking for a quick and calming excursion from Paris, then the Parc de la Vallée aux Loups (also known as Parc Vallée aux Loups) is a beautiful spot to visit in the Hauts-de-Seine department of Île de France. Boasting an arboretum, one of the most impressive bonsai collections in France, and plenty of beautiful landscapes, here’s how to visit Parc de la Vallée aux Loups, as well as what to know before you go.
Parc de la Vallée aux Loups is translated into English as Valley of the Wolves Park.
The Parc de la Vallée aux Loups is actually split into two parts; the eastern part is where all of the points of interest are, whereas the western part (the park is cut in two by the road of rue de Chateaubriand) is simply forest.
Please note that picnics aren’t allowed in the eastern part of the park. There are a number of picnic benches close to Chemin des Martyrs de la Resistance. There are public toilets close to Jardin de l’Aigle Blanc, in the centre of the park.
You’ll want to wear comfortable footwear and bring some water and snacks. The best time of the year to visit the park is either in the spring (when you can enjoy early buds and wisteria) or during the fall, when you can admire the changing of the colours, especially thanks to the large collection of maples trees within the arboretum.
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A history of the Vallée aux Loups
The arboretum in Île de France came about in the 18th-century when the owner of Châteaubriand decided that an English style garden would make a nice addition to his estate. In the beginning of the 19th-century, pharmacist to Napoleon, Charles-Louis Cadet de Gassicourt, started growing rare plants and trees in the space.
Between 1809 and 1835, under the guidance of Marquis de Châteaugirons, the space was re-landscaped, and it is this layout which can be enjoyed today. In 1890, Gustave Croux acquired the gardens and used them to showcase specimens for Croux Nurseries.
The Hauts-de-Seine departmental council took ownership of the estate in 1986 and has cared and managed Vallée aux Loups ever since. Today, the park is situated within Val d’Aulnay and is the most visited place in Hauts-de-France.
The park is even more visited than the destination which many imagine is the most popular spot in hauts-de-France: Musée Albert Kahn. Two of the trees are of such importance that they have since been listed as ‘remarkable tree of France’ by the A.R.B.R.E.S association.
Things to do in the Parc de la Vallée aux Loups
Bonsai Collection
Truth be told, one of the biggest highlights of a visit to the Vallée aux Loups is a chance to tour around the incredible greenhouse which houses dozens of unique and special bonsai tree specimens. Several are over a hundred years old and there is even a bonsai tree that is approaching 250!
Interesting trees
When you’re wandering through the park, you’ll soon notice that there are a number of breathaking and unique trees. The rarest of the trees include the weeping Atlas blue cedar (which you can walk beneath and there is even a bench under the canopy) and a myrsine leaf oak.
The Atlas blue cedar (known scientifically as Cedrus atlantica Glauca) is especially unique as a random genetic mutation means that the cedar actually has a weeping appearance, making it the only known tree of its kind in the world. What makes the tree extra special is that all of the seeds which come from it create normal Atlas blue cedars.
How to visit the Park of Vallée aux Loups
The garden and park is free to visit, including the bonsai collection, though be aware that the bonsai collection opening times changes depending on the season and which day of the week it is, so check online ahead of your visit. The Bonsai Collection greenhouse is also closed for lunch.
It’s actually surprisingly easy to reach the park as a day trip from Paris. You can get the metro line 13 to the terminus, stop Châtillon Montrouge. Then you’ll have to walk five to ten minutes (depending on your pace) to reach the bus.
The bus is the 194 and the journey takes around twenty minutes to reach the Jean Jaurès stop. It’s then a two minute walk to enter the park. Alternatively, the park is around a half an hour walk from the park at Sceaux and so the two destinations can be seen as a day trip from Paris.
