Bois de Vincennes

At 995 hectares, the Bois de Vincennes is the largest green space in Paris, well ahead of the Tuileries or the Luxembourg gardens. On the eastern edge of the capital, it combines lakes, wooded paths, a zoo, a flower park, and, at its edge, the imposing Château de Vincennes. You can wander here for hours without ever retracing your steps, on foot, by bike, or by rowboat on one of its lakes.

Highlights

Lac Daumesnil

The largest body of water in the woods is lined by two islands connected by bridges, including Île de Reuilly with its Buddhist temple. You can rent a rowboat or simply walk along its shaded banks.

Paris Zoological Park

Reopened in 2014 after renovation, the Vincennes zoo is dominated by its artificial Grand Rocher, a 65-meter rock formation visible from far away. It houses close to 1,000 animals grouped by geographic zone.

Château de Vincennes

At the northern edge of the woods stands the tallest medieval fortress still standing in Europe, with its 14th-century keep. It's a destination in its own right, reachable directly from the metro station of the same name.

Nearby

Château de Vincennes The Château de Vincennes, the only fortified structure in the greater Paris area, is... 21 min à pied

Bercy Village Facing the François Mitterrand Library and close to the Cinémathèque, Bercy Village is... 45 min à pied

Père Lachaise Cemetery At first glance, visiting a cemetery might seem like an odd idea, but Père-Lachaise is... 60 min à pied

Coulée verte René-Dumont Originally known as the "Promenade Plantée," the Coulée Verte René-Dumont is a park... 60 min à pied