Paris is full of beautiful parks, and is the perfect city for a wonderfully relaxing promenade. Here are some of the places that I have visited, and definitely recommend exploring.
Summers in Paris are made for wandering along the Seine, and enjoying the beautiful sights of the city. There’s honestly nothing better than an aimless promenade, capturing the different views of the city. And what better way to enjoy being a flâneur, than treating yourself to the odd macaron as well! A promenade along la Seine, no matter what the season, is one of my favourite things to do in Paris.
It was by pure chance that I discovered this hidden gem in the Bois de Boulogne. What can I say, thank you Instagram! It was after some Instagram searching that I laid eyes on the enchanting Chalet des Îles in a photograph, and immediately knew that I had to visit it. Situated southeast of the Bois de Boulogne, the Lac Inferieur is the largest lake within the park. It is a delightful scene, where two manmade islands are a joined by bridge, but can only be accessed via boat. One day, a friend and I walked around the entire lake, intrigued with what we were seeing. Walking along the woody trails surrounding the lake, one is guaranteed to see a unique part of Paris. Located on one of the islands of Lac Inferieur is Chalet des Iles. As previously mentioned, this Chalet is truly enchanting. To access, visitors must take a boat across the lake, at the mere €1.50 for a round trip. Here at le Chalet des Îles, one can have a delicious meal …
Spring and Summer here in Paris is beyond beautiful. Not only does the sun finally come out, but so do all the delightful flowers. This spring, I headed over to the Champ de Mars, and spent a wonderful morning wandering around taking photos of the many beautiful flowers and blossom trees.
The Palais-Royal is one of my favourite places in Paris. Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Palais-Royal Jardin offers visitors the chance to take a break and enjoy the surroundings. In this elegant courtyard, one almost feels transported back into one of the many 18th century country gardens – with its symmetrical hedging and decorative fountain. There’s also something very captivating about the Palais-Royal Jardin. With every season, the Jardin seems to transform into a new and different version of itself. Having been there in both winter and spring this year (I will be blogging about Spring soon – better late than never), coming back and wandering around in the summer was almost like stepping into another new dimension of this exquisite garden. Welcoming those to the jardin, are a variety of beautiful full-blossom roses and various other flowers. I couldn’t resist taking a few photos of this delightful scene! Whether you want to go for a walk, or just relax by the central fountain, a visit to the Palais-Royal …
If ever there was a single road that could transport one out of the Haussmannian designed world of Paris architecture, and into a completely different sphere, then it would certainly be Rue Crémieux. Located in the 12th arrondissement, a stone throw away from Gare de Lyon, Rue Crémieux possesses a charm unprecedented within the city. The road is magnificent. Lined with beautifully coloured and decorated terrace houses, the rainbow-like facades could easily have been taken directly from Notting Hill’s very own Portobello Road and placed right bang in the middle of the French capital. As I was taking in the sheer variety of the houses, a sweet couple pointed out a signage to me, which marked the height in which a flood in 1910 reached – rising to around 6 feet tall. Rue Crémieux offers a delightful break from the hustle and bustle of Paris. Here you can wander at your own leisure, thanks to the road being pedestrian only, so you don’t have to worry about being run over when taking photos!
For those who don’t know, summer has officially arrived in Paris. This last week it has felt like we were physically on the surface of the sun (well, of course not, but a bit of drama adds to the retelling!), it was h-o-t. HOT. On Friday it got to over 32 degrees, and even went above that in certain areas around the city. Don’t get me wrong, I love summer. But it gets a bit draining when you feel as if you’re about to melt. Despite the constant sensation of imminent combustion, my friends and I headed over to the Jardin de Versailles to soak up the sun, and enjoy this magnificent weather. The last time I came to the gardens, and the Chateau itself, was back at Christmas. So it was refreshing to see the place during a different season. We spent most of the day relaxing by the Grand Canal, watching the people row. After an obligatory ice-cream stop, we headed around the gardens and the outside of the Palace to have a look. …
Roisin Grace 