The Bois de Boulogne is in the of Paris, on the western edge of the city.The Bois de Boulogne is a remnant of the ancient, which included the present-day forests of Montmorency, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Chaville, and Meudon., the King of the Franks (629-639), hunted bears, deer, and other game in the forest. His grandson, gave the forest to the monks of the, who founded several monastic communities there. (1180–1223) bought back the main part of the forest from the monks to create a royal hunting reserve. In 1256, sister of, founded the Abbey of Longchamp at the site of the present hippodrome.The Bois received its present name from a chapel, Notre Dame de Boulogne la Petite, which was built in the forest at the command of (1268–1314).
In 1308, Philip made a pilgrimage to Boulogne-sur-Mer, on the French coast, to see a statue of the which was reputed to inspire miracles. He decided to build a church with a copy of the statue in a village in the forest not far from Paris, in order to attract pilgrims. The chapel was built after Philip's death between 1319 and 1330, in what is now.During the, the forest became a sanctuary for robbers and sometimes a battleground.
In 1416-17, the soldiers of, the Duke of Burgundy, burned part of the forest in their successful campaign to capture Paris. Under, the trees were replanted, and two roads were opened through the forest.In 1526, began a royal residence, the, in the forest in what is now Neuilly and used it for hunting and festivities. It took its name from a similar palace in Madrid, where Francis had been held prisoner for several months.
Le Pique Nique
The Chateau was rarely used by later monarchs, fell into ruins in the 18th century, and was demolished after the.Despite its royal status, the forest remained dangerous for travelers; the scientist and traveler was murdered by thieves in the Bois de Boulogne in 1564.During the reigns of and, the forest was enclosed within a wall with eight gates. Planted 15,000 trees, with the hope of beginning a local silk industry. When Henry annulled his marriage to, she went to live in the, on the edge of the forest.In the early 18th century, wealthy and important women often retired to the convent of the Abbey of Longchamp, located where the hippodrome now stands. A famous opera singer of the period, Madmoiselle Le Maure, retired there in 1727 but continued to give recitals inside the Abbey, even during. These concerts drew large crowds and irritated the Archbishop of Paris, who closed the Abbey to the public.and his family used the forest as a hunting ground and pleasure garden.
Pique-nique Au Bois De Boulogne France
In 1777, the, 's brother, built a charming miniature palace, the, in the Bois in just 64 days, on a wager from his sister-in-law,. Louis XVI also opened the walled park to the public for the first time.On 21 November 1783, and the took off from the in a hot air balloon made by the. Previous flights had carried animals or had been tethered to the ground; this was the first manned free flight in history. The balloon rose to a height of 910 meters (3000 feet), was in the air for 25 minutes, and covered nine kilometers.Following the defeat of in 1814, 40,000 soldiers of the British and Russian armies camped in the forest. Thousands of trees were cut down to build shelters and for firewood.From 1815 until the, the Bois was largely empty, an assortment of bleak ruined meadows and tree stumps where the British and Russians had camped and dismal stagnant ponds. The French tennis player shakes hands with at the in 1926.Public park On weekends, the Bois de Boulogne is full of activities such as biking, jogging, boat rowing, horseback and pony rides, and remote control speed boats. Picnics are permitted in most parts of the park, but barbecues are not allowed.The Bois de Boulogne hosts several races, like the 10 km (6.2 mi) of Boulogne and the Boulogne half marathon.
Pique-nique Au Bois De Boulogne Park
Since its creation, the last part of the Paris marathon ends by crossing the Bois de Boulogne from 35 km (22 mi). Boulogne Wood is an important place of running in Paris.The Bois holds a three-day weekend party in the month of July, with over 50 bands and singers, attended mostly by students who camp out overnight.Though soliciting for is illegal in France, at nighttime parts of the Bois de Boulogne are a popular rendezvous place for prostitutes, usually working in vans parked by the side of the road. The French government has been trying to eliminate this business from the park. Features Lakes and streams.