Name: Bois de Boulogne
Address: Paris, France
Telephone: 01 53 92 82 82
Rating: 4.3

Former royal hunting grounds, now a huge public park with lakes, nature trails & botanical gardens.

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The Bois de Boulogne is over twice the size of Central Park in New York City, offering Parisians a vast green space.

Size Comparison

The Bois de Boulogne is home to the Hippodrome de Longchamp, a famous horse racing venue that hosts the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Horse Racing History

The Jardin Shakespeare within the Bois de Boulogne is an open-air theatre that stages performances of Shakespeare's plays.

Open-Air Theatre

The Bois de Boulogne was transformed into a public park in 1852 under the direction of Napoleon III, inspired by London's Hyde Park.

Transformed Park

The lakes and waterfalls within the Bois de Boulogne are artificial, created during its transformation into a park to add to its scenic beauty.

Lakes and Waterfalls

The Bois de Boulogne was once a royal hunting ground, used by French monarchs like Louis XVI before becoming a public park.

Royal Ownership

Bois de Boulogne

The Bois de Boulogne, a vast parkland on the western edge of Paris, is more than just a green space; it's a landscape steeped in history and intrigue. Originally part of the ancient Rouvray Forest, it transformed into a royal hunting ground before becoming the public park envisioned by Napoleon III. Its design, heavily influenced by London's Hyde Park, features winding paths, artificial lakes, and meticulously crafted gardens. Beyond its manicured lawns, the Bois harbors hidden gems like the Shakespeare Garden, a fragrant haven showcasing plants mentioned in the Bard's plays. The park also contains the Fondation Louis Vuitton, an architectural marvel housing contemporary art, seamlessly blending art and nature. Interestingly, the Bois de Boulogne has a somewhat notorious past, once known for its clandestine activities, adding a layer of complexity to its otherwise serene atmosphere. The Auteuil Hippodrome, a prominent horse racing venue within the Bois, hosts prestigious steeplechase events, attracting equestrian enthusiasts from around the globe.

Introduction

The Bois de Boulogne's landscape design transformation began under Napoleon III, inspired by London's Hyde Park. He envisioned a space with lakes and streams, accessible to all social classes, leading to a major redesign of the area. Jacques Hittorff and Louis-Sulpice Varé's initial plan, featuring straight alleys and a Serpentine-like stream, failed due to Varé's miscalculation of elevation, causing drainage issues.

Baron Haussmann then appointed Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand to create a new plan. Alphand's design moved away from straight lines, introducing meandering paths and an undulating landscape with lakes, hills, and groves, idealizing nature rather than replicating it. This design became a prototype for urban parks worldwide. The construction was a massive engineering undertaking, involving the creation of upper and lower lakes, artificial islands, and a cascade. A Swiss chalet was imported and reconstructed on one of the islands.

Alphand expanded the path network by 95 kilometers and planted over 200,000 trees, establishing lawns, botanical gardens, and nurseries. The water system required a new channel from the Ourcq River and an artesian well to supply the necessary water volume, distributed through 66 kilometers of pipes. Alphand also built 58 kilometers of carriage roads, 12 kilometers of horse paths, and 25 kilometers of walking trails. The Bois de Boulogne became a popular destination, embodying elegance and attracting high society.

Landscape Design

The Bois de Boulogne's architectural features are largely attributed to its mid-19th century redesign spearheaded by Emperor Napoleon III, who envisioned a park reminiscent of London's Hyde Park. This transformation involved Baron Haussmann enlisting architects Hittorf and Davioud, along with landscape architect Alphand, to overhaul the park's layout. Alphand demolished the perimeter wall, opening up the Avenue de l’Impératrice.

Alphand's contributions included the creation of Lac Inférieur and Lac Majeur, eight man-made ponds, and a waterfall. He ensured the smooth flow of the park’s water system and created the Ruisseau de Longchamps, which feeds into La Grande Cascade de Longchamps. A Swiss chalet was imported and reconstructed on the larger island of Lac Inférieur, now housing the restaurant Le Chalet des Iles. The Mare Saint-James, a tranquil pond with two islets serving as bird and small animal sanctuaries, was also established.

Architect Davioud contributed the Kiosque de l’Empereur, located on the western tip of the island. Alphand expanded the network of winding lanes by 95 kilometers and oversaw the planting of over 200,000 trees, along with the creation of lawns, botanical gardens, and plant nurseries. Little remains of the original Pré Catalan, except a sequoia tree and copper beech, both planted in 1872, as well as Le Grand Restaurant, constructed in 1905.

Architectural Features

The Bois de Boulogne, larger than both Central Park and Hyde Park, provides diverse recreational activities ranging from simple relaxation to sporting events. Originally a royal hunting ground, it was transformed in the 19th century to offer Parisians a natural escape. Today, visitors can explore the park's many paths by foot, discovering local flora and fauna, or jogging. Activities include fishing, rowing, and pony rides.

For sports enthusiasts, the Bois de Boulogne features the Auteuil and Longchamp racecourses, hosting horse races that draw large crowds. It is also home to the Stade Roland Garros, the venue for the French Open tennis tournament. Beyond these, the park includes gardens, such as the Shakespeare gardens, and the Jardin d'Acclimatation amusement park.

Those seeking a longer stay can utilize the seven-hectare campground, Camping Indigo Paris, offering 510 sites for tents, caravans, and camping cars. Reservations are available, including mobile home rentals. The park's design, featuring bridges, rivers, and lakes, was intended to mimic mountain and country scenery, offering a unique experience within Paris. Visitors can also admire fountains and waterfalls, or relax on the Bois de Boulogne's islets.

Recreational Activities

Originally part of the ancient Rouvray forest, the Bois de Boulogne's historical narrative began as a hunting ground for Dagobert I, later passing to monks of the Abbey of Saint-Denis. King Philip Augustus reclaimed it in the 13th century, transforming it into a royal hunting reserve. The Bois owes its name to Philip IV, who, following a pilgrimage, ordered the construction of the Notre Dame de Boulogne la Petite chapel in the adjacent village, now Boulogne-Billancourt.

During the Hundred Years' War, it served as a refuge and battleground. While Louis XIV invested in its maintenance, the Revolution brought severe damage. Napoleon I initiated its re-landscaping and opened it to the public. However, the forest's size was reduced in the 1840s due to the Thiers military wall construction. Further degradation occurred during the war of 1870-71.

Under Napoleon III, inspired by London's Hyde Park, the Bois was transformed into a public park, a key element of Haussmann's urban plan. The Emperor donated the land in 1852, envisioning lakes and streams. Jacques Hittorff and Louis-Sulpice Varé initially planned its layout, though Varé's design required adjustments. In 1929, the Bois de Boulogne was formally annexed to Paris’ 16th district. The construction of the A13 highway between 1970 and 1973 resulted in the felling of over 5,000 trees.

Bois de Boulogne

Did You Know?

Size Comparison

Horse Racing History

Open-Air Theatre

Transformed Park

Highlights from Reviews

Location