Unusual: take a river shuttle for a ride on an island in the heart of Paris

In the 16th arrondissement, the Bois de Boulogne is a landmark for walkers: with its 850 hectares of vegetation, it's the largest green lung in western Paris. And it's no coincidence that in the 19th century, when the wood was still just a forest, Napoleon III pursued his ambition to make it accessible to all Parisians.

• To be read
• Tips for the week of September 9 - 15, 2024 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings
• What to do in Paris and the Paris Region in September 2024? Back-to-school ideas
• Amusement parks and funfairs in and around Paris, 2024 program

It was engineer Adolphe Alphand (who was also involved in the creation of Parc Monceau and Bois de Vincennes) and landscape architect Jean-Pierre Barrillet-Deschampswho imagined two lakes, the upper and lower, dug out at the site of the Varé river, naturally present in the area. Centuries later, the two lakes still flow into each other, and boating is a particularly popular way to discover the two artificial islands of the lower lake.

Today, these islands are still accessible to pedestrians - and not by boat, as docking is forbidden on the islands - particularly the largest, where you'll find the Chalet des îles, a famous Parisian restaurant. To get there, board the Canotière, a river shuttle that crosses the lake to dock on the island. If you have a Navigo pass, the crossing is free: otherwise, it costs €2 per person (one way). All that's left for you to do is walk around the island: a relatively short stroll (less than a kilometer), but one that has real charm, with its tall trees, beautiful lawns and the statue Les deux arbres, at the tip of the island, symbolizing a couple in love.

Unfortunately, the smallest and wildest island, where a small temple can be seen - it is said to have been used as a love nest by Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie - can no longer be visited, as the bridge linking the two islands is in danger of collapsing.

You can take a picnic lunch with you, or opt for a gourmet break at the Chalet des Îles. Then cross the lake again on the river shuttle, and discover the upper lake for the rest of your trip, where you can rent boats!