Paris is not just about the the Champs Elysee, the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. Paris is also about great parks and interesting walks. One of my new favorites is La Promenade Plantée (AKA la Coulée Verte) which was the idea of a certain Philippe Mathieux and Jacques Vergely, who turned over the former railway track which connected the Place de la Bastille to Varenne-Saint-Maur. The result was a fantastic green space combining wild vegetation and a modern cultured garden of 6.5 hectacres taking you across the 12th district all the way to the Bois de Vincennes (another one of my favorite picnic spots). Underneath the former elevated track are the arcades (Viaduc des Arts), which are now occupied by various specialty boutiques.
There are two levels to the Promenade, the upper level is mainly for walkers and takes you along the vegetative track at about the level of a 3rd floor building. It is a unique way to see the Paris skyline and its beautiful architecture. At the end of the upper level is the Jardin de Reuily which offers a lovely picnic spot. We stopped off here for a light lunch and then headed onward on our bikes through the lower level promenade (also walkable), till the Bois de Vincennes.
This is a great chance to take a break from the city sidewalks and the traffic. Arrive at the Bastille metro Station and take Avenue Daumesnil. There are stairs that lead up from the sidewalk to the promenade.
I did this walk with my husband 2 yrs ago on a hot summer day ..Thank goodness for the shady trees, where we sat on a bench and had a picnic lunch before heading back. It's a great way to see another view of Paris and was good excercise!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. It is a lovely stroll and a wonderful way to love Paris even more. Thanks for your comment.
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