Parc de Sceaux, Antony (near Orly Airport)

Antony is a good place to stay for a night if you have a flight out of Orly Airport- it is on the RER line from Paris, and then you can take the OrlyVal monorail from there to the airport. It's not a very charming suburb but it has a beautiful park, Park de Sceaux, and an awesome restaurant! 

Parc de Sceaux is a favorite with joggers who run its shady, blissful trails- it is the only peaceful spot around. It has a grand canal, an impressively high fountain, flower beds, a chateau, and the loveliest trees. The canal glimmers pleasingly and reflects the tall Italian cypress trees. To the side of the main canal, are the cascades, or fountains. There is a very high fountain shooting straight up in the air, which turns on later in the morning. At the end is a terraced pool with side fountains, and even fireballs sometimes, leading to a wall with face sculptures breathing out water. To the other side of the grand canal is a chateau with flower beds and a field leading up to it. Throughout the park are old, grand trees that are just gorgeous. Many people come to walk around the entire canal in the morning, or to run the side paths. There is also a carousel, puppet theater (theatre de guignol), and cafe on the south end of the park.
You can tell that Park de Sceaux was designed by the landscape architect of Louis XIV, Andre Le Notre, because it looks similar to Versailles. In April, many Parisians visit the park for the Cherry Blossom Festival when there are flowers galore on the trees and there is traditional Japanese music in the air. 
The town of Antony has a terrible, busy main road, Ave Aristide Briand, but once you get off it, there are some nice side streets for strolls. La Luciana Ristorante Italiano (closed Sun and Mon) is by far your best bet for a meal- the owner is half French half Italian, from the South of Italy, and makes the most amazing daily specials. We had pasta with fennel sausage and we were still talking and thinking about it days after! It has a modern, elegant interior, plus a popular side garden with bamboo plants and colored glasses on the tables. The owner greets regulars and newcomers personally. The staff are happy, and they dine together communally before the restaurant opens at 7pm.

Directions

Parc de Sceaux is located at 38 Av. Alphonse Cherrier, 92330 Sceaux, France. You enter the park across the street from the RER station called La Croix de Berny.

Click on map for interactive view