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Bois de Boulogne One of the most spectacular parks in Europe BOIS DE BOULOGNE One of the most spectacular parks in Europe is the Bois de Boulogne. Horse-drawn carriages traverse it, but you can also drive through. If you want to discover its hidden paths and pleasures however, you have to walk. You could spend days in the Bois de Boulogne and still not see everything. You can certainly try however. Simply allowing yourself to get lost for a few hours wouldn't be a problem in this spectacular public park. Porte Dauphine is the main entrance, though you can take the Métro to Porte Maillot as well. West of Paris, the park was once a forest kept for royal hunts. It was in vogue in the late 19th century: Along avenue Foch, carriages with elegantly attired and coiffured Parisian damsels would rumble along with their foppish escorts. Nowadays, it's more likely to attract run-of-the-mill picnickers. When Napoleon III gave the grounds to the city in 1852, they were developed by Baron Haussmann. Separating Lac Inférieur from Lac Supérieur is the Carrefour des Cascades (you can stroll under its waterfall). The Lower Lake contains two islands connected by a footbridge. From the east bank, you can take a boat to these idyllically situated grounds, perhaps stopping off at the cafe/restaurant on one of them. |