Bois de Boulogne

Today we went for a walk in the Bois de Boulogne (one of two forests just outside the city).  Unfortunately we were rained out about halfway through, but I will post the few photos I have.  I am hoping to go back before we leave, but we'll see if the weather allows.  The bois is 2.5 times larger than Central Park, and we only explored the lakes on the eastern edge.  This is Lac Supérieur (Upper Lake), the smaller of the two.

Across the street is Lac Inférieur (Lower Lake), the larger of the two lakes.  It has two islands in the center.

This group of swans were all lunching on plants growing on the lake bottom.  It was odd to see so many "headless" swans.

Two waterfalls pour into the lake.

Here is a cluster of Firebugs (Pyrrhocoris) and nymphs on a woodpost in the ivy.

Another view of the lake with a folly on the island.

The path along the lake, close up of some (I think) cotoneaster berries.

The central island is very neatly manicured.  It looks like a golf course at first glance.

This funny woman was riding her bike with her five (or six) unleashed dogs.  When she stopped to turn around and call to a straggler, one of the dogs jumped in the water.  "Oh là là!" she exclaimed at the dog, in English with a strong French accent, "You are in the wat-air!"  I think she spoke English for our benefit, since we were the only ones around.  Clearly we do not look French. 

Canine rescue

On the island is a restaurant called Châlet des Îles.  You can get to the restaurant by ferry.  The menu looked lovely, but we had brought our own picnic lunch.

Another way to reach the island is to rent a rowboat.

A stand of tall trees across the lake.

And some younger trees.  There was a whole field of recently planted saplings.

We wanted to explore more -- there's a rose garden, a small château, and a botanical garden -- but it started raining at this point and all those things are at the end of the forest far away from the Metro station.  So instead we took the nearest path to the park exit.