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Walk around the lakes of the Bois de Boulogne

An easy and quiet walk around the lakes of the Bois de Boulogne, passing by the Grande Cascade and the Pré Catelan gardens.

The Bois de Boulogne is a huge park inside Paris, it has existed for a very long time but it is Napoleon III who gave it the aspect that we know today. He wanted to copy the English parks that he had known during his exile in London.

The Bois de Boulogne is not a closed park, many roads cross it and it is very famous for its night activity. Although located inside Paris, the park is not so easy to access for pedestrians, the metro lines are quite far away and you have to walk a bit before reaching the center of the park.

This walk is a loop starting from the Porte d'Auteuil metro station. It allows you to walk around the lakes, the most enduring will be able to push to the Grande Cascade and the restaurant the Pré Catelan.

The Bois de Boulogne has many restaurants, most of which are superb gourmet restaurants but with prices to match. Most of them cost a minimum of €60 for a meal.

Interest: good (1 user)
Difficulty:
Duration: 3 h.
Practical information

The start of the walk - Porte d'Auteuil

The departure is located at the Porte d'Auteuil station. You have to go around the racecourse to reach the Bois de Boulogne. There is no metro station that goes directly into the Bois de Boulogne. There are other possible stations, but in any case you have to walk before entering the wood.

Le Pré Catelan

The Pré Catelan is a park in the Bois de Boulogne. This park is home to a charming little open-air theatre where plays are regularly performed. Admission to the performances is charged, but it's well worth the diversions.
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The entrance to the green theatre

The Green Theatre also includes a series of small gardens known as the Shakespeare Gardens. Access to these gardens is not free.
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The kiosk of the Emperor

The Kiosque de l'Empereur, located in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, is an emblematic monument steeped in history. Built in 1857 during the reign of Napoleon III, the kiosk was given to the Emperor by the city of Paris to celebrate his marriage to Empress Eugénie. You have to take a boat to get to the island.
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The Island Chalet

In the past, the chalet was an authentic Swiss chalet where people came to skate in winter. Today, it has been converted into a restaurant. As it is located on an island, you have to take a boat to get there. Access is free with the Navigo pass and costs €2 for tourists.
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The boats of the Bois de Boulogne

Canoeing is a great way to discover the lake and its islands.
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Swans

Along the way, you may come across the majestic swans, ducks and other water birds that inhabit the area. The banks of the lakes are also dotted with benches and rest areas, where you can stop to enjoy the scenery and soak up the tranquillity (if it's not too crowded).
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Driveway along the lakes

This walkway allows you to go around the Lower Lake.
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La Grande Cascade

For those who want to go further, they can go and see the Grande Cascade, it is totally artificial, the rocks come from Fontainebleau. We will not deprive ourselves of passing underneath to watch the water fall.
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Auteuil racecourse

There are almost two racecourses side by side in the Bois de Boulogne. The one in Auteuil specialises in jumping and the one in Longchamp is more oriented towards flat racing.
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View on the islands

You can find a lot of people in the Bois de Boulogne but if you choose early enough you can be very quiet on the banks of the lake.
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View of Lake Superior

The upper lake was dug in 1853 and is between 65 cm and 1.40 metres deep. These lakes, waterfalls and streams are totally artificial and have a lot of charm. Today, this creation of an ideal nature is no longer in the air.
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Other walks

At 1.76 Km

The garden of the greenhouses of Auteuil

At 1.79 Km

Walk in the Auteuil racecourse of the Bois de Boulogne

At 1.91 Km

Discovering the small belt of the 16th

At 2.28 Km

The Bagatelle Park
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