What to See & Do in Île de la Jatte

Originally published on August 29, 2017, this article may have been updated to include additional information.

1. Discover Île de la Jatte, one of the historic islands in the heart of Île-de-France
   1. How to Get to Île de la Jatte
   2. A Brief History of Île de la Jatte
2. Suggested Activities to Explore Île de la Jatte
   1. Walk along the Parcours des Impressionistes
   2. Take the kids to Maison de la Pêche et de la Nature
   3. Go out for a romantic date night
3. FAQ
   1. Is it free to access Île de la Jatte?
   2. Is Île de la Jatte crowded with tourists?
   3. Does Île de la Jatte have family-friendly activities?
   4. Is it worth visiting Île de la Jatte?

Discover Île de la Jatte, one of the historic islands in the heart of Île-de-France

Most tourists are familiar with Île de la Cité, Île Saint-Louis, or Square du Vert-Galant in the center of Paris, France—but have you ever heard of Île de la Jatte?

Located a few metro stations from the Arc de Triomphe, Île de la Jatte has a lot going on for an island in the middle of the Seine. The island is split between two suburbs named Neuilly-sur-Seine and Levallois-Perret.

How to Get to Île de la Jatte

The easiest way to get to Île de la Jatte is by bus. By metro, it’s a 20-minute scenic walk from the Pont de Neuilly, Line 1 station along the Seine.

A Brief History of Île de la Jatte

In 1817, Île de la Jatte was once a park for the royal family of Duc d’Orléans—Louis Philippe, his wife Marie-Amélie, and their nine children—who lived in Château de Neuilly on the mainland.

Two hundred years later, the island is a bourgeois residential area with some impressive outdoor tennis courts, several office buildings, and restaurants. There are even a few fishermen who set up along the river—the water is noticeably clearer upriver with signs of natural life compared to Île de la Cité or Île Saint-Louis.

Suggested Activities to Explore Île de la Jatte

Walk along the Parcours des Impressionistes

The highlight of the island is discovering where several Impressionists painted on the island—Monet, Seurat (you’ll recognize A Sunday Afternoon at La Grande Jatte), Van Gogh and, of course, my favorite, Sisley.  The plaques around the island aren’t always easily visible, so you can check out the map in advance on the Hauts-de-Seine tourism website.

Take the kids to Maison de la Pêche et de la Nature

The island even has room for a museum, aquarium, and education center dedicated to fishing and preserving marine life. The museum holds special events that are listed on the website.

Go out for a romantic date night

Situated in the middle of the island is Café la Jatte, an Italian restaurant and pizzeria with incredible ambiance and service. If you’re not looking to splurge for dinner, the prix fixe menu for lunch includes an entree, plat (or dessert) and a drink for 26 euros.

Another restaurant that takes the cake for ambiance is La Guinguette de Neuilly. It’s a former boathouse along the Seine that boasts traditional French cuisine complete with red-checkered tablecloths.

FAQ

Is it free to access Île de la Jatte?

Yes, it’s free to walk the promenade and the island, but admission is required to access the businesses previously mentioned earlier in the post.

Be aware that the public spaces may be closed for holidays—check out the dates on the Paris Tourism website.

Is Île de la Jatte crowded with tourists?

No, not really. Île de la Jatte is mostly occupied by residents of Neuilly-sur-Seine and Levallois-Perret. The park offers a respite from the busier, touristy crowds in Paris.

Visiting Île de la Jatte may be a great option for visitors looking to enjoy the outdoors and get away from large crowds.

Does Île de la Jatte have family-friendly activities?

Yes. I would recommend checking out the programming at Maison de la Pêche et de la Nature.

Is it worth visiting Île de la Jatte?

Yes, especially for frequent visitors of Paris, France, who are looking to explore somewhere new without straying too far from Paris. Île de la Jatte is a great escape for art history and nature lovers.