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Daumesnil Lake – an enchanting place in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes

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Daumesnil Lake, an enchanting place in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes is one of the four artificial lakes in this Parisian park. This lake has a water surface of ​​12 hectares and two islands, the Reuilly and Bercy Island, connected by the bridges. All around the lake is a nice path called “the Maurice-Boitel promenade”, perfect for a relaxing walk or if you are more sports type, this path is also great for jogging and cycling. Your children will adore this place, too. Here, they can go for a pony ride or take a rowboat tour.

Bois de Vincennes
Bois de Vincennes
Bois de Vincennes, 75012 Paris, France
The Lac Daumesnil
The Lac Daumesnil
Bois de Vincennes, 75012 Paris, France

Two islands

On Daumesnil lake exist two artificial islands. The Reuilly Island is a bean-shaped island that occupies the center of the lake. It is connected to the southeastern shore of the lake and the Bercy Island by two small suspension bridges. At the eastern end of this island is an artificial cave and waterfall with a romantic rotund, created in 1860 by the French architect Gabriel Davioud. But the main spot is the Temple of Sibylle, an almost identical replica of the one in the Buttes-Chaumont park. Here, you will also find a charming restaurant “Chalet des Iles Daumesnil”. The other island, the Bercy is accessible only by a single suspension bridge, which connects it to the island of Reuilly. On this island, you can admire several remarkable trees, like a 45 m high plane tree planted in 1860.

Perfect place for families

Daumesnil Lake is a perfect place for the entire family. You can rent a rowboat and spend your afternoon enjoying a peaceful and pleasant natural surrounding or go for a nice and relaxing walk around the lake. It is also a great spot for picnics, as well as jogging and cycling. And children will, for sure, enjoy the pony ride around the lake. From Daumesnil Lake, you can access the Vincennes Pagoda, located in a former building of the Colonial Exposition of 1931 and the Tibetan Buddhist Temple of Kagyu-Dzong. The “Chalet des Iles Daumesnil”, a restaurant at the west side of the island is situated in a Swiss chalet bought by the City of Paris for the Universal Exposition in 1867. In this restaurant, you can have lunch or dinner made entirely from the fresh and seasonal products, for an inventive cuisine in the 'New Brasserie' style, on the spacious terrace next to Daumesnil lake.

The Chalet des Iles Daumesnil
The Chalet des Iles Daumesnil
Île de Reuilly, 75012 Paris, France

Practical information

You can rent a boat at Daumesnil Lake, an enchanting place in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes every day except between February 15th to November 15th. The access to the lake is by the metro station Porte Dorée (line 8) and you should enter the Bois next to the Palais de la Porte dorée.

The Palais de la porte dorée
The Palais de la porte dorée
293 Avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris, France

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The author

Sladjana Perkovic

Sladjana Perkovic

Hello, my name is Sladjana, a journalist and writer living in Paris, France. I write about French well hidden places, gastronomy and cultural events.

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