Located in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris, Aulnay-sous-Bois is a sprawling commune on the doorstep of Charles de Gaulle Airport. It’s traversed by the Canal de l’Ourcq, which was excavated in the early 19th century to facilitate trade with Paris. Aulnay-sous-Bois flourished following the arrival of the French Northern Railway in 1875.
Things to do in Aulnay-sous-Bois
On the southern side of the railway line is Parc Dumont, a picturesque park with two children’s playgrounds, a merry-go-round and plenty of benches for watching the world go by. It was established on land once dominated by the Bondy Forest and several magnificent oak trees still dot the grounds today.
In the far north of Aulnay-sous-Bois is Labyrinthe Parc des Sausset, which encompasses 200 hectares of meadows, forest and marshes. It has been classified as a Natura 2000 site due to its biodiversity, not only in terms of wildlife but also plant species. You can stretch your legs on one of the scenic walking trails that ring the park’s lakes or get lost in the hedge maze.
Aulnay-sous-Bois makes an excellent base for sightseeing in Paris, with the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower just a short train ride away. Marvel at the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and get lost in the bohemian streets of Montmartre or shop for high-end designer fashions along the Champs Elysees. In addition to the flower-filled Tuileries Garden, the Luxembourg Gardens are not to be missed.
Getting around Aulnay-sous-Bois
Aulnay-sous-Bois is around 30 minutes' drive from the centre of Paris and 15 minutes from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Aulnay-sous-Bois railway station and buses travel throughout the commune.