The Bois de Boulogne was an ancient hunting forest but was landscaped in the 1860ís under the direction of Baron Haussmann. The Bagatelle Gardens, built around the Chateau de Bagatelle - where classical concerts are often held - are a not-to-be-missed part of the Bois particularly in the late spring and early summer; tulips in April, irises bloom in May, August is the month for water lilies, all amazing, but the highlight is the June 21st rose exhibition when the rose garden is breath-taking.

There are several restaurants in the Bois, the most famous being ‘Le Pre Catelan’, romantic, good food, expensive. The Park contains two racecourses, Longshamp and Auteuil, and there is a wonderful childrenís amusement park, the ‘Jardin d’ Acclimatation’.

A reminder that at night the Bois is seedy and associated with kerb-crawling.