Alright, I’ll spill the beans: I’ve discovered the spot of the summer! Yes, I really mean it! For some, this might not be a discovery, but for me, it truly was, right at the beginning of this April.

The Chalet des îles Daumesnil is nestled in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes, on the Île de Reuilly, just a few minutes from the Porte Dorée and the new Zoological Park. It is truly a place to recharge your batteries over brunch, tea time, or an evening out, far (but not *that* far) from the Parisian hustle and bustle.

For a bit of history, the Chalet building dates back to the 1864 World’s Fair. In fact, the city of Paris had purchased the Swiss pavilion and installed it on the Île de Reuilly.

At the time, this refreshment bar welcomed park strollers. Scoops of ice cream were sold there, and customers played mini-golf to the sound of the orchestra playing under the bandstand (so picturesque, you can almost imagine being there!).

Starting in the 60s, the Chalet was transformed into a restaurant, and since 2005, Chef Stéphane Paulet and his team have been serving seasonal market cuisine in this magnificent bucolic setting.

Well, obviously, I won’t hide the fact that for sunny days, it is THE terrace of the summer (a subject I plan to expand on in a future article to hunt down the best terraces for this summer, as a matter of fact), with several outdoor spaces that are just magical. I have a slight preference, for my part, for the Pergola that overlooks the lake.

The indoor lounges are not left out and also allow you to enjoy this place, even when the temperatures are a bit cooler or in the evening.

What I really appreciated, besides the sublime setting of the Chalet of course, is the quality of the cuisine served, and you know how attentive I am to that kind of detail.

Cuisine based on fresh and seasonal products, with some exotic notes and beautiful presentation on the plate.

Another appreciable point: the restaurant is committed to a sustainable development approach, and the kitchen meets this requirement as well.

And the icing on the cake (yes, I love that expression), the venue can be privatized for events, and naturally, the wedding season is already fully booked for the Chalet, which works for such occasions with floral designer Laetitia from Reflets Fleurs. Those who are going to say ‘I do’ in this enchanting place are certainly very lucky…

Well, the main obstacle to this place remains: getting there! So you don’t get lost on the way, here is a map showing the location of the Chalet des îles Daumesnil.

If you are coming by public transport, the easiest way is to take line 8, Porte Dorée stop (Place Edouard Renard exit) and then come on foot (about 10/15 min walk).

Plus, the walk along the lake to get to the Chalet will immediately put you in the bucolic mood of the place and will calmly lead you to this cocoon of relaxation.

Le Chalet des îles Daumesnil

île de Reuilly - Bois de Vincennes 75012 Paris

Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan
Photos not royalty-free, photographer's authorization mandatory before any use