No one in their right mind, or for that matter - in any state of mind - should ever visit Paris…read morewithout spending at least a few hours wandering in and around one of the world's greatest Parks, the Bois De Boulogne. A Parisian will tell you it is, in fact, The World's Ultimate Public Park.
To appreciate this incredible landscape you have to imagine Great Richmond Park in London because it is just as vast and it's beginnings go back to the oak forest of Rouvray in the 8th century. Therefore, in anyone's terms, this is an ancient part of Paris. During The Hundred Years War, the forest became the haunt of highwaymen, robbers and scoundrels. The troops of the Duke of Burgundy burned part of this Forest - which proves that vandalism is not just a British Phenomena - Then under Louis XI, the estate, now called the Bois de Boulogne, was reforested and two roads were opened through it. As we all know now Louis X1 was not always vicious and cunning, but gave some vague and passing thought to his people.
This beautiful forest is full of activities on weekends. A joggers paradise as well as biking, boat rowing, and where picnics are held. During the summer season the Park also holds a 3 day weekend party in July with over 50 bands and singers. Similar in many ways to the Glastonbury festival in Somerset, UK.
My advice though, that while the park's glory deserves high praise as a magnificent forest set in the centre of the great Metropolis of Paris, at night, it has a history more in tune with sexual shenanigans - not always without severe damage to one's wallet or one's 'chosen' sexuality.
The aristocracy in the 18th Century found a more fun and sensual use for the Park which is illustrated in my video below. As well as explaining how many of the ethnic citizens of Paris in 2011 use the park for relaxation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ppb4ENiTM&feature=relmfu