We are currently spending a month in Paris, and I wanted to share some of our favorite spots, places a little off the beaten (touristy) path.
Today’s post is about the Promenade Plantee or Coulée verte René-Dumont
Out past Le Marais, in the 12th arrondissement is the Promenade Plantee (French for tree-lined walkway) or Coulée verte René-Dumont (green course), a lush, tree-lined walkway built atop an old railroad structure that dates back to 1850’s. The park opened in 1988, after the structure had been abandoned for almost 20 years. Sound familiar? It is the original “elevated park” and the inspiration for New York’s High Line park.
Starting just east of the Bastille, the park is 4.9 km (just shy of 3 miles) long and is almost entirely raised above street level. The easternmost section descends down to street level, but is magically encapsulated - it feels secret and hidden from the apartment buildings nearby.
The park is strikingly similar to it's New York sibling, but when we walked it in the morning, it was quieter and calmer than I remember the highline ever being. The expanse of trees and flowering bushes make for a beautiful, shady escape from the city below. There’s even a small shaded pool, complete with ducks.
The park is free and open from sun up to sundown every day. It’s easy to miss, but makes for a great morning stroll!