Île Brise-Pain

What kind of name is “Brise-Pain”? Bread-Breaker? That’s the question that might pop into your head when you first hear of this island. We are now standing on Île Brise-Pain. Île Brise-Pain is one of those little secrets of the Marne River, tucked away in the town of Créteil. This small island, only about 900 meters long and 160 meters wide at its widest point, is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Paris. Île Brise-Pain is connected to the mainland by the Avenue de Verdun. This road runs along the northern part of the island and crosses the Marne River on two bridges. One bridge connects the island to the eastern bank of the river and the other to the western bank. Besides this main access point, several pedestrian bridges link Île Brise-Pain to other islands in the Marne. One bridge leads to the western bank, another to Île de la Gruyère in the southwest, and a third to Île Sainte-Catherine in the south. Another footbridge crosses the main branch of the Marne. It connects the eastern part of the island (near its center) to the eastern bank of the river. Île Brise-Pain is a peaceful oasis of green. It’s home to many houses and the Domaine Sainte-Catherine. The Domaine Sainte-Catherine is the last remaining “guinguette” in Créteil. This type of establishment was a popular destination in the 19th century for Parisians looking to escape the city. Guinguettes were known for their festive atmosphere, lively music, and of course, dancing.