Paris Carousels - Your complete guide on where to find them
Carousels or merry-go-rounds, have always been a favourite of mine. In reality they are little more than an amusement ride that moves round and round in a circle but I think they are magical and I cannot resist them, especially the beautiful carousels in Paris. Once you start exploring Paris you'll find them dotted over the city and if you're like me, they'll draw you to them with their lights, music and happy children.
Have you noticed that many carousels turn in an anti-clockwise direction? Historically this is because they were designed for children to be able to wave with their right hand (closest to watching parents and minders) while holding on with their left. The French claim the invention saying they are derived from Louis the XIV’s jousting competitions.
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The 1900s is when carousels became really popular, or reached their golden age, due to public interest in mechanical movement and the seeking of new amusements. In Paris many of the carousels are situated near tourist attractions and in parks frequented by children and once you go discovering, you'll find there are about 20 carousels in the City of Light.
The word in French for carousel (or merry-go-round) is ‘Manège‘.
Carrousel de Saint-Pierre or Sacre Coeur Carousel
(Pictured above) At the foot of Sacre Coeur in Place Saint-Pierre is the traditional, double-decker carousel called Carrousel de Saint-Pierre, or as it's also more casually known, Sacre Coeur Carousel. It is Italian made and decorated with a Venetian theme and has delightful bobbing horses, carriages, a spinning teacup and for those wanting a sedate ride, even wooden benches to sit on. The horses are made of plastic, but still look magnificent as they prance around.
Montmartre has such an interesting history and is artistic and hip read our History of Montmartre, Paris.
Location: Place Saint-Pierre, Montmatre, Paris 75018
Nearest metro station: Abessess
Jardin des Tuilieries
Old fashioned and with overlooking cherubs, this is probably my favourite carousel in Paris. I love its location within the Tuilieries garden and because there are chairs dotted around, I often choose this area to sit and read my book listening to the squeals of delight from the children.
As you might expect in this elegant Parisian garden, the Jardin des Tuilieries carousel is elegant and of classic design. It is of a classic Belle-Epoque style, but has some modern plastic horses most likely added over time.
Mostly white, its panels depict typical Parisian scenes, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Seine, which are bordered by white, almost silver lights. It features mirrors on the centre piece and has a broad wooden base. This carousel plays French nursery rhymes which is very sweet and in between reading my book I try and pick up a few new French words.
Location: Jardin de Tuilieries, Place de la Concorde, rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001
Nearest metro station is Concorde
Jardin du Luxembourg Carousel
Jardin du Luxembourg is the garden with something for everyone. Walking paths, statues, water ponds, children's play areas, tennis courts, formal flower gardens and shady areas for quiet sitting, rose gardens and even a carousel. The carousel is almost hidden in calm shade away from the main touristy areas of the garden and is beautiful in its simplicity.
This simple and unassuming carousel is one of the oldest to remain in Paris dating from 1879 and is designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Opera de Paris. Because of its age it has no lights, no music and even no floor. All this makes no difference to the kids (and I must admit me too) in the fun you can have taking a spin on this historical carousel.
Location: Le Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, 75006
Nearest metro station is Odeon
Montparnasse Carousel
This carousel is in the square just outside the large train station Gare Montparnasse. It is overlooked by the Tour Montparnasse which is the largest skyscraper in Paris and sits in the square rather by itself, a little overshadowed by the large skyscraper and train station.
It's small, but bright and is a great distraction for children if you have to amuse them between connecting trains at this main station south of the city. It however does not have the appeal of its older cousins in Jardin du Luxembourg or Jardin des Tuilieries.
Montparnasse Carousel is named ‘Le Petits Titi’ which is an old fashioned slang phrase for a street urchin child of Paris and alludes to a child who has a good knowledge of the city, knowing the boulevards and lanes inside-out.
Location: Avenue du Maine at Gare Montparnasse, Paris 75015
Nearest metro is Montparnasse
Jardin du Trocadero Carousel
The carousel at Trocadero is right next to the Warsaw Fountain in the Trocadero gardens in the 16th arrondissement. This magnificent double decker carousel, in the Belle Epoch style has a view of the Eiffel Tower and is quite traditional being made of wood and illustrated with Parisian scenes. Similar to the carousels at Sacre Coeur and the Tuilieries, it is deceptively smaller than its cousins. It mirrors their decor with scenes of Paris on the outer and inner panels and has simple yellow lights surrounding it. This is one of the more vintage looking carousels in Paris and a great one for those family photo shoots or Instagram shots. Angle your photos up so that you can capture the carousel and Tower together.
This favourite spot of mine, and of course of thousands of other visitors to the city, is one of the best places to take in a Parisian sunrise. The Eiffel Tower reflects beautifully in the impressive large flat water area that actually makes up the Fountain of Warsaw. This is the largest fountain in Paris, but when the fountain is not turned on, it is also creates the largest mirror in Paris.
Location: 18 Avenue Gustave V de Suede, Jardins du Trocadero, Paris 75016
Nearest metro station is Trocadero
Parc de la Villette Carousel
Parc de la Villette is where you'll find the Jules Verne Carousel which is aptly located near the Museum of Science and Industry. Even though the carousel is in within the modern Parc de la Villette, it is created in the beautiful Belle Epoque style. It is a grand double decker carousel decorated with scenes from Verne's novels.
Located in the 19th arrondissement of the city, in the heart of Parc de la Villette, the Jules Verne carousel is dedicated to the fantastic steampunk world of the man who came from Nantes and to all adventurers worldwide. With wonderful machinery, a hot air balloon that spins like a teacup, planes, motorbikes and even a rocket, this carousel rider is spoilt for choice.
The inside column is decorated with Mesulines that lead up to the roof on the second level of the carousel. A folkloric character connected to tales from Northern France, often depicted as a fish, here, she is depicted with two tails in a mermaid form.
The orchestral music is a nice feature of this carousel, matching well with its traditional look.
Location: Parc de la Villette, Paris, 75019
Nearest metro station is Porte de Pantin or Porte de la Villette
Hôtel de Ville Carousel
This carousel which at night time sparkles and twinkles like no other, is backdropped against the magnificent Town Hall of Paris, le Hôtel de Ville. Literally called the Belle Epoque, it's situated on the large square beside the Town Hall. This carousel is temporary, meaning it is sometimes there, depending on what events happen in the square.
If you visit Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and the carousel is not there but want merry-go-round photos or a ride, go for a short walk down Rue du Rivoli to the carousel at St Pauls. If you have time, I recommend exploring this area with its stylish boutiques and shopping at famous Le BHV Marais right across from the square.
Hôtel de Ville carousel plays circus music, mostly organ based, and the inside column also features an organ inset. This music is unique to this carousel and sets it apart from many of the other carousels in Paris.
Location: Place Hotel de Ville, Paris, 75004
Nearest metro station is Hotel de Ville, Châtelet–Les Halles
Jardin des Plantes Carousel
Jardin des Plantes Carousel in the 5th arrondissement, close to Gare d'Austerlitz, appropriately has jungle animals and dinosaurs which seem to draw children both very young and a bit older. In the cultural complex with the Natural History Museum, Mineral Room and Greenhouses, the carousel is quite unusual. It is dedicated to extinct and endangered animals.
Called the Dodo Manege carousel and sitting in the middle of Jardin des Plantes it is a popular carousel and erected at the turn of the 20th century. It literally has delighted people of all ages ever since.
Other Carousels in Paris
Jardin d' Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne has a couple of carousels.
Parc de Bercy Carousel mostly has horses to ride, but if you're lucky one of the lions, pigs or elephant may be free to climb on to and take a spin around on. Read more about the beautiful park Parc de Bercy Carousel.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont has a small carousel with swans and goldfish which is a little more unusual and for kids that like to sit on a bench style ride, there are also little cars.
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