At the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Denver, poetically named the Mile High City, combines the lushness of parks and gardens with the vibrancy of metropolitan life. Discover the highlights of Colorado's capital.

Denver: A City of History, a City of Museums, a Verdant City with Many Facets

When people speak of Denver, images of bison, wild mountains, and golf courses beneath an azure sky captivate the imagination. The Big Blue Bear, a major icon of the city, appears on all travel websites. Once there, you'll realize Denver has far more to offer than its street art. Nearly 200 urban parks, over 12,000 acres of parkland in the mountainous areas, including the legendary Red Rocks Park… The capital has carved out a substantial place in the entertainment industry. Mountain wilderness lies just beyond the urban center, and the countryside is moments away from art museums, historic buildings, burger bars, and Michelin-starred restaurants frequented by Hollywood celebrities. These are just some of Denver's attractions, or Mile High City, as Coloradans affectionately call it. Book your flight to Denver without delay and fulfill your dreams of an authentic journey in Colorado State.

Echoes of the Past

Denver's founding was part of the American West's expansion, a land of opportunity for gold seekers. The city takes its name from James William Denver, a former governor of Kansas. As for the Mile High City nickname, Denver owes it to its elevation.

The city was officially founded in late February 1861. The economy was initially built on gold mining. Small shops sprouted up along the routes. There were gambling houses and saloons to entertain the miners.

Denver's development faced multiple obstacles. First, it was necessary to forcibly expel the Cheyenne and Arapaho. Enjoying a frontier position between the Great Plains and the Rockies, the city attracted increasing numbers of immigrants. However, gold fever created corruption problems. The mob ruled during the second half of the nineteenth century, even bribing the sheriff and city council members. Around 1893, a drop in silver prices weakened the economy, fortunately offset by agricultural expansion.

The face of the city changed profoundly from the twentieth century onward. At the mayor's invitation, architect Reinhard Schuetze came to Denver to undertake landscape development projects. Parks, lawns, and botanical gardens multiplied in the urban center. City Park, Washington Park, and Civic Center Park date from this period. A touch of German inspiration gives them distinctive character. Denver also acquired extensive properties in the mountains, which were converted into recreation parks and winter sports resorts. This beautification phase paved the way for tourism's arrival.

Today: A Modern and Prosperous Metropolis

With its parks, historic neighborhoods, and world-renowned museums, Denver stands out as a major tourist destination in the United States. East of the Rockies and west of the Great Plains, the Mile High City also distinguishes itself through the quality of its natural sites. The latest 2018 census recorded 716,000 residents. Like American metropolises, the number of skyscrapers is incalculable. Glass buildings are massively concentrated in the business district, while in LoDo, the lower downtown area, you'll find late nineteenth and twentieth-century buildings that the state has carefully preserved. Denver with its picturesque character has not disappeared.

Must-See Attractions

Welcome to Denver, the joyful and vibrant capital of Colorado! Are you torn between touring museums or venturing into mountain parks? Draw inspiration from our selection to organize your itinerary.

Natural Heritage

Red Rocks Park

Red and pink sandstone blocks form a natural amphitheater of unparalleled proportions. Take a seat in the stands and share spectators' enthusiasm during a rock, pop, or classical music concert. This concert venue is simply unique! For hikers, Red Rocks offers hiking trails that wind through geological formations with incredible mountain views. Located a half-hour drive from Denver.

Garden of the Gods

Connecting with wild nature often requires traveling a good distance. Not so with Garden of the Gods, a public park established in the heart of Denver. Crowned with delicate rock formations and pink sandstone columns, the Garden of the Gods illustrates Colorado's geological evolution process. Plains alternate with colorful rocky cliffs. The park offers comprehensive sporting facilities, including mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and via ferrata. It's also an excellent observatory for birdwatching.

Historical and Cultural Heritage

Colorado State Capitol

Reaching 272 feet tall, the Capitol delights with its white granite neoclassical facade. Linger over its brilliant stained glass windows depicting historical events or portraits of Colorado's political figures. Admire its gold-plated dome. The building's plan, designed in 1894 by architect Elijah Myers, draws inspiration from the Washington State Capitol. The building houses the offices of the governor and senior members of the executive branch.

The Giant Blue Bear

It's impossible to miss the Big Blue Bear during a walk through downtown Denver. Larger than life, over 40 feet tall, the bear peers through the window of the Convention Center. The city owes this sculptural masterpiece to Lawrence Argent. The artist chose a red or pink touch referencing Colorado's rock formations, but the blue tone, which occurred by accident, was ultimately retained.

Union Station

In the heart of the old town, Denver's historic train station is far more than a simple railway station. It is a monument in its own right. It's a meeting place for passengers arriving by bus or train in the capital. You'll find some of the finest dining in the Mile High City: a luxury palace, restaurants, ice cream parlors, and bars. The station, beautifully restored, is an example of Beaux-Arts architecture.

Museums and Recreation Parks

Denver Art Museum

Housing over 70,000 artworks in itself, the Denver Art Museum is celebrated throughout the American territory. Its collection of pre-Columbian artwork is remarkably rich.

Denver Zoo

Opened to the public in the late nineteenth century, the Denver Zoo is a premier family attraction. Adorable creatures from land and sea inhabit the park, imported from around the world. Hand-feeding giraffes, watching experts care for sloths, meeting llamas, porcupines, or okapis, learning the language of parrots… The zoo offers visitors unforgettable moments!

City Park

City Park is to Denver residents what Central Park is to New Yorkers. It ranks among the most visited recreation parks. Fountains, tree-lined lawns, and sports fields offer escape opportunities for everyone. The highlight is a paddleboat ride on the lake to approach pelicans.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Created in 1951, the Denver Botanic Gardens is known for its rich selection of plants from cold and temperate countries. It awaits you next to Chatfield Park. Seven themed gardens, grassy meadows, and rivers make this a haven for horticulture enthusiasts.

Washington Park

Established in the neighborhood of the same name, Washington Park invites a leisurely stroll, a moment of respite away from the capital's hustle and bustle. Beyond flower beds, the park offers an outdoor swimming pool, cycling paths, and a lake with pleasure boats.

Nature and Science Museum

This educational museum occupies the grounds of City Park. You'll find a planetarium and an exhibition center dedicated to dinosaurs. Children will be delighted learning about the history of Colorado's flora and fauna.

Practical Information

When to Visit Denver?

Denver enjoys 320 days of sunshine. The weather is beautiful regardless of season, but be warned—when the sky turns angry, expect hail, thunderstorms, and violent snowstorms. To visit Denver with favorable weather, choose dates in summer, between June and August. With fewer crowds, affordable hotel rates, and pleasant temperatures, May, June, September, and October are also recommended. Winter is a slow season for tourism.

Denver is accessible by air from European capitals. Regular flights connect the Mile High City to the City of Light. The most active airlines on this route are Air France, Delta, and American Airlines. Paris is about 16 hours by air from Denver. You can find a direct flight through Norwegian Air, but for budget vacations in Denver, a flight with a layover is your best option.

You'll Love

- Photographing the Blue Bear, Denver's flagship monument ;

- Visiting the Colorado State Capitol ;

- Admiring Native American artwork displayed at the Denver Art Museum ;

- Planning a family day at the Nature and Science Museum ;

- Exploring the geological wonders of Garden of the Gods ;

- Walking through recreation parks ;

- Savoring excellent hamburgers.