île de l'Abreuvoir

Île de l'Abreuvoir is a small river island on the Marne, located in the Val-de-Marne department, within the commune of Champigny-sur-Marne, just outside Paris. It is not a headline monument, but it offers a rare pocket of riverine nature within easy reach of the French capital.

Where exactly is the island located?

The island sits on the Marne river, close to the borders of several communes on the eastern edge of the Paris metropolitan area. It is crossed from north to south by the Pont de Champigny, a road bridge linking Champigny-sur-Marne with the neighbouring town of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. The nearby Champigny RER A station makes the area easy to reach for residents of greater Paris relying on public transport.

Why is île de l'Abreuvoir part of a nature reserve?

The lower section of the island belongs to the Réserve Naturelle Départementale des Îles de la Marne, the Departmental Nature Reserve of the Marne Islands. The area was first given protected status in 1999 and formally converted into a departmental nature reserve in 2002. Alongside île de l'Abreuvoir, the reserve also includes two smaller islets, Îles des Gords and Île de Pissevinaigre. The goal of protecting this stretch of the Marne was to preserve a river habitat that has largely disappeared along other, more urbanised sections of the waterway near Paris.

What can visitors find on the island?

For such a modest area, île de l'Abreuvoir stands out for its biodiversity — researchers have recorded 113 plant species growing there. This makes the island a point of interest for anyone curious about riverbank flora and local wetland ecosystems, even though public access is limited given its protected status.

One of the island's most striking natural features is its winter roost of Great Cormorants, which gather at night in the tall trees of Île de Champigny. During the coldest spells of winter, the number of birds settling in for the night can reach several hundred, creating a memorable sight for birdwatchers exploring the area at dusk.

Can the island be visited?

Because of its nature reserve status, île de l'Abreuvoir is not freely open to the public year-round — access is regulated, and local authorities occasionally organise open days when residents and visitors can explore the island, often accompanied by guides or as part of organised nature events. These occasions offer a rare chance to see up close an ecosystem that otherwise stays largely off-limits.

Frequently asked questions

Where is île de l'Abreuvoir located? On the Marne river, within the commune of Champigny-sur-Marne, in the Val-de-Marne department of the Paris region.

Is the island protected? Yes, its lower part belongs to the Departmental Nature Reserve of the Marne Islands, protected since 1999.

What is worth seeing on the island? Rich riverbank vegetation (113 recorded plant species) and the winter gatherings of Great Cormorants roosting in the tall trees.

How do you get there? The nearest station is Champigny on the RER A line, and the island is crossed by the Pont de Champigny bridge connecting the commune with Saint-Maur-des-Fossés.

Can you walk onto the island? Access is limited due to its protected status — visits mainly take place during organised open days.