The Story Behind Paris Park Chairs: What You Need To Know About the Iconic Green Chairs

It’s impossible to spend time in a Parisian garden and not notice them: the iconic green chairs. Clustered around fountains, perfectly placed in front of flowerbeds, or scattered under chestnut trees, they invite you to pause, read, sunbathe, or share a quiet moment with a friend. But beyond their inviting form lies a rich, uniquely Parisian history.

Here’s everything you need to know about the famous green chairs in Paris parks—and why they’ve become one of the city’s most beloved design icons. Learn how Paris earned its luminous nickname →

A Quick History: From Paid Seating to Parisian Staple

The story of these chairs begins in the 18th century, when benches dominated the city’s public gardens. As cafés and open-air lounging became part of Parisian life, the idea of renting individual chairs emerged. By 1843, the French government purchased 1,500 chairs to rent to the public, setting a precedent that lasted into the 1970s.

In 1923, a new chair design commissioned by the French Senate appeared in the Jardin du Luxembourg. Known today as SENAT chairs, these were heavy, practical, and painted in a now-famous muted green (RAL 6013). They were eventually placed throughout Paris in gardens like the Tuileries and Palais-Royal.

Fermob & the Luxembourg Chair

By the 1990s, the original SENAT chairs were showing their age. Paris issued a tender for updated designs, and Fermob, the celebrated French outdoor furniture company, won the contract. They produced 2,000 new chairs with slight ergonomic improvements.

Later, Fermob asked designer Frédéric Sofia to reimagine the SENAT chair for public sale. His creation, the Luxembourg chair, is now one of Fermob’s bestselling models worldwide. Although inspired by the originals, it’s lighter, more comfortable, and available in dozens of colors.

Today, you can even shop the Luxembourg Collection to bring a piece of Paris to your own backyard—though sadly not in the original green.

Where to Find the Iconic Green Chairs in Paris

You’ll spot these chairs in several of the city’s most beautiful public gardens. Here are the best places to enjoy them:

Jardin du Luxembourg

Perhaps the most iconic setting, the chairs here are arranged around the Grand Bassin, Medici Fountain, and shaded walkways. A favorite for locals, students, and tourists alike. See more romantic ideas here →

Jardin des Tuileries

Located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries are the city’s central garden. Green chairs cluster near fountains and along manicured paths, offering prime people-watching spots.

Palais-Royal

A quieter park lined with plane trees, the Palais-Royal garden has chairs positioned around its central fountain. It’s a peaceful break from the nearby hustle of the 1st arrondissement.

Other Spots

You’ll also find green chairs in the Parc Monceau, Parc Montsouris, and scattered across smaller gardens in nearly every arrondissement.

From Nostalgia to Icon Status

The chairs have inspired everything from mugs to art prints, and countless expats and former residents associate them with dreamy afternoons in Paris. They symbolize not just public design, but the Parisian way of living: slow, thoughtful, and a bit poetic.

So next time you pass one of these chairs in the city, take a seat. Read a book. Watch the world go by. You’re not just relaxing—you’re partaking in one of Paris’s most cherished rituals.