Ile de la Jatte: a bucolic stroll along the water's edge in the Hauts-de-Seine department

With the Seine flowing through the Ile-de-France region, islands are not that rare. There'sIle-Saint-Denis in Seine-Saint-Denis,Ile des Impressionnistes in Yvelines andIle du Berceau in Seine-et-Marne.

In Hauts-de-Seine, the islands of Saint-Germain and Seguin are well known to local residents. But another island in the département is also well worth a visit. Do you knowIle de la Jatte? Shared between the communes of Neuilly-sur-Seine and Levallois-Perret, this island is far from uninhabited, with around 4,000 inhabitants lucky enough to live there year-round. Almost 2 km long and just 200 m wide, Ile de la Jatte offers local walkers a beautiful, bucolic stroll along the water's edge.

The southern tip of the island, overlooking the La Défense district, is a favorite spot for sports enthusiasts. There are several tennis courts and a stadium. At the far end, the most curious can also admire the Temple de l'Amour, a listed historic monument.

Continuing along the boulevard du parc, you soon come to the other half of Ile de la Jatte. A word of advice: once you've passed the Guinguette de Neuilly, don't hesitate to push through the barred gate to reach the banks and the small marina, to continue your stroll as close as possible to the Seine. With the birds singing and the water lapping, you get that strange feeling of being in the countryside, even though Paris is only two kilometers away. You may also come across sports enthusiasts rowing or paddling.

Then, at the end ofIle de la Jatte, other surprises await us, with the Seine aquarium-museum, followed by the Ile de la Jatte park with its educational garden, apiary and caniparc.

• To be read
• The most beautiful parks, gardens and squares in Paris and the Ile-de-France region to stroll in
• Parc de Bécon: cherry blossoms, Palais des Indes and history
• Parc André Malraux: the Central Park-like green space in Hauts-de-Seine

While Ile de la Jatte is a popular destination for Parisians and other residents of the Ile de la Franciliens, this island in the Hauts-de-Seine region is also a favorite with painting enthusiasts. It was at the end of the 19th century that Île de la Jatte became a place of inspiration for many Impressionist painters, such as Georges Seurat. Seurat made the island world-famous with his painting"Un dimanche après-midi à la Grande Jatte". The Ile de l'Ouest also offers an Impressionist trail, paying tribute to Alfred Sisley, Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh.

Painters who loved the island's charming setting, but also its festive atmosphere, thanks to the various guinguettes set up on the island's banks at the end of the 19th century. Today, these guinguettes have given way to a number of restaurants. Scattered around the island, they offer a unique setting on the Seine, including Les Pieds dans l'eau, La Guinguette de Neuilly and Le Petit Poucet.

So, would you like to take a stroll on the Ile de la Jatte for your next Parisian getaway?