Chalet de la Porte Jaune

Squirrelled away on an island deep in the Bois de Vincennes, the Chalet de la Porte Jaune is a kind of paradise lost. Lost, that is, to all but Napoleon III – who used it as a hunting pavillon – and the hordes of ravers who flock here every summer to attend the aptly named Marvellous Island Festival. The annual knees-up set a precedent, and the chalet is becoming a favoured venue for club promoters looking to try something different. If you're more of a stroller than a raver, by day the island is a lovely destination for a family outing, a bike ride or an all-you-can-eat brunch (steep at €38).