Experience Paris through a local lens in Chelles, a low-key neighbourhood set on the banks of the River Marne. Explore scenic riverside trails and visit local attractions like the Museum of Urban Transport. Trains whisk you to the centre of Paris, where you can ride the elevator up the Eiffel Tower, stroll around the bohemian Latin Quarter and visit landmark churches like Sacré-Coeur.
Things to do in Chelles
Tree-lined hiking and cycling trails stretch along the banks of the River Marne. You’ll pass historic sites like Ruines du Moulin de Chelles, which is a good place to take a breather and watch kayakers paddle past. Cross the pedestrian bridge and enjoy coffee and croissants at a riverside café.
Admire horse drawn-carriages, vintage trolleybuses and electric trams at the Museum of Urban Transport. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in Paris and is a great place to bring the family. The collection of Parisian buses ranges from the early 1900s to the present day.
Pick up lunch supplies and enjoy a picnic in Fort de Chelles. The urban park is perched on the highest point of the town and protects the ruins of a 19th-century fort. It was commandeered as a depot for the German Army in World War II but has since fallen into ruin.
Château de Champs-sur-Marne is a slice of the Loire Valley on the outskirts of Paris. The magnificent Neoclassical chateau is set in beautifully landscaped gardens, complete with bubbling fountains and clipped hedges. Wander through sumptuously decorated rooms and peer into the Rococo-style saloon decorated with paintings by famous French artist, Christophe Huet.
Getting around Chelles
Chelles is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot and by bicycle. The neighbourhood is a 40-minute drive from the centre of Paris and 15 minutes by train. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 30-minute drive away.