Parc Nautique de l'Île de Monsieur

When Paris’s parks overflow in summer, those in the know will head to this out-of-town Eden at Sèvres – a former island (on a tributary of the Seine which was blocked up in the 19th century) that’s now a 7.5ha ecological park, found just at the end of the metro line 9. As well as the requisite tranquil greenery, the park features a small café, open daily, which serves soft drinks, sandwiches (€4), waffles (€4), and even beer and wine. Once provisioned, there’s more to discover: a wooden terrace overlooking the duck-scattered lake, where you can also hire canoes, kayaks and sailing boats. The ‘Grande Prairie’ sunbathing area is lovely and peaceful, and the departure point for a series of short paths that lead between beds of unusual plants, aquatic horticulture projects, and even a set of beehives. And if you’ve still got appetite for more, just follow the signs for the Ile Saint-Germain, another prettily landscaped park just a little bit further on.