Bois de Boulogne Paris: A Visitor's Guide

One of the lakes at Bois de Boulogne

Bois de Boulogne forms the western edge of Paris, with lakes, woodland, gardens, walking paths, and recreation areas spread across the landscape. Created during the reign of Napoleon III, it is one of Paris's two great parks, paired with Bois de Vincennes on the eastern side of the city. While visitors spend their mornings at the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, Bois de Boulogne offers a different side of Paris, with lakes, gardens, cycling paths, and broad stretches of green space.

In the park you find Fondation Louis Vuitton, Jardin d'Acclimatation, Parc de Bagatelle, and two Michelin-starred restaurants. Lakes, gardens, walking paths, cycling routes, and riding trails occupy much of the landscape.

Why Visit Bois de Boulogne?

The Château de Bagatelle and its formal gardens - Wikimedia, Patrick Giraud

Bois de Boulogne provides something that is rare in Paris: space. Covering more than 2,000 acres on the western edge of the 16th arrondissement, the park stretches around lakes, woodland, gardens, walking paths, and riding trails. It is larger than New York's Central Park and large enough that a visit can easily fill an afternoon.

You can rent a rowboat on the lake, walk through the rose gardens of Parc de Bagatelle, visit Fondation Louis Vuitton, take children to Jardin d'Acclimatation, or spend an afternoon on the park's walking and cycling paths. For visitors who enjoy parks and gardens, Bois de Boulogne provides a very different experience from the historic center of the city.

Things To Do In Bois de Boulogne

Walking and cycling beside one of the park's lakes

Bois de Boulogne is much more than a park with walking paths and lakes. Within its grounds are Fondation Louis Vuitton, Jardin d'Acclimatation, Parc de Bagatelle, rowing lakes, riding trails, and miles of paths for walking and cycling. You can visit a museum, spend time in the gardens, rent a rowboat, take children to the amusement park, or reserve a table at one of the park's Michelin-starred restaurants.

Lakes & Rowboats

The park's two main lakes, Lac Supérieur and Lac Inférieur, are connected by artificial streams created during the redesign of the park under Napoleon III. Lac Inférieur is the larger of the two and is known for its small islands, waterfowl, and rowboat rentals.

Walking & Cycling

Miles of paths cross the park, passing through woodland, gardens, and open spaces. Cyclists, runners, and walkers use the park throughout the year, while several routes provide a quieter alternative to the streets of central Paris.

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Designed by architect Frank Gehry, Fondation Louis Vuitton has become one of Paris's most recognizable contemporary buildings. The museum hosts major temporary exhibitions and sits just inside the eastern edge of the park.

Fondation Louis Vuitton Visitor Guide →

Jardin d'Acclimatation

Located beside Fondation Louis Vuitton, Jardin d'Acclimatation combines gardens, rides, playgrounds, and family activities. Opened in the 19th century, it remains one of the best-known family destinations in western Paris.

Parc de Bagatelle

Parc de Bagatelle occupies the northern section of Bois de Boulogne and is known for its landscaped grounds and rose garden. The park was created in the late 18th century around the Château de Bagatelle and provides one of the quieter corners of Bois de Boulogne.

Dining In The Park

La Grande Cascade restaurant in Bois de Boulogne - Mark Craft

Two Michelin-starred restaurants are located in the park. Both have been part of the park for decades and provide a very different dining setting from the restaurants found in central Paris. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekends and during the warmer months.

La Grande Cascade

Located beside the park's artificial waterfall, La Grande Cascade occupies a former hunting lodge built for Napoleon III in 1859. The Belle Époque dining room looks onto the surrounding greenery through floor-to-ceiling windows, while the restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2004.

Our Review of La Grande Cascade →

Le Pré Catelan

Restaurant Le Pré Catelan stands in the northern section of the park and traces its history to the mid-19th century. Today it holds three Michelin stars under chef Frédéric Anton, who also oversees the kitchen at the Eiffel Tower's Le Jules Verne. The restaurant occupies a pavilion surrounded by gardens within Bois de Boulogne.

The History of Bois de Boulogne

Bois de Boulogne in the early 20th century – vintage postcard

The origins of Bois de Boulogne stretch back more than eight centuries. In the early 1200s, Philip Augustus set aside part of the ancient forest west of Paris as a royal hunting reserve. Later French kings expanded and enclosed the grounds, while Louis XVI opened the area to the public in the late 18th century.

The modern park dates from the reign of Napoleon III. Inspired by London's public parks, he asked Baron Haussmann to transform the former royal hunting grounds into a large recreational space for the growing city. Lakes were dug, streams and a waterfall were created, roads and paths were laid out, and hundreds of thousands of trees were planted.

Much of what visitors see today dates from that mid-19th-century redesign. The lakes, woodlands, gardens, and broad avenues established during the Second Empire remain the foundation of Bois de Boulogne, which became part of the City of Paris in 1929.

One of the park's best-known landmarks is the Château de Bagatelle and its surrounding gardens. The château was built in 1777 for the Comte d'Artois, brother of Louis XVI, after a famous wager that the residence could be completed in just sixty-four days. Today the estate is best known for Parc de Bagatelle, whose rose garden and landscaped grounds occupy a quiet corner of Bois de Boulogne.

Frequently Asked Questions

IS BOIS DE BOULOGNE WORTH VISITING?
Bois de Boulogne is worth visiting if you enjoy parks, gardens, walking, cycling, or spending time outdoors. The park offers a different side of Paris from the city's museums and monuments, with lakes, woodland paths, gardens, restaurants, and attractions such as Fondation Louis Vuitton and Jardin d'Acclimatation.

HOW DO YOU GET TO BOIS DE BOULOGNE?
Several Metro stations provide access to different parts of the park, including Porte Dauphine, Les Sablons, and Porte d'Auteuil. The park occupies a large area on the western edge of Paris, so the best station depends on which section you plan to visit.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU SPEND IN BOIS DE BOULOGNE?
A walk around one of the lakes may take an hour or two, while a visit that includes Fondation Louis Vuitton, Parc de Bagatelle, or Jardin d'Acclimatation can easily occupy most of an afternoon. The amount of time depends on which parts of the park you choose to see.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN BOIS DE BOULOGNE?
The best-known attractions include Fondation Louis Vuitton, Jardin d'Acclimatation, Parc de Bagatelle, La Grande Cascade, Le Pré Catelan, and the park's lakes and gardens. Walking, cycling, rowing, and picnicking are also popular activities throughout the park.