It's often said that the capital lacks greenery, yet gardens and parks can be found in every arrondissement. Just keep your eyes peeled for unusual, quiet spots where you can stroll away from the noise and crowds of tourists. And the Petite Ceinture is one of them, a veritable open-air haven of peace that can be explored at the very ends of Paris! Do you know its history?
The Petite Ceinture project was born at the very end of the 19th century, when railroads were developing in France. The city of Paris wanted to create a 32km rail link within the city, between the intra-mural stations. Freight transport became a key issue in the industrial revolution. Work began slowly, in view of the colossal site ahead. The Batignolles station opened first, in 1852.
Unfortunately, the Petite Ceinture was not to remain in the limelight for long, as the Grande Ceinture began to compete with it as early as 1886, with stations such as Saint-Lazare and Montparnasse. Passenger transport within the capital was favored over the suburbs, as the metro began to emerge in 1903. Some goods continued to transit until the destruction of the Auteuil viaduct during the Second World War.
Today, not all of the line's thirty kilometers are open to the public, as their redevelopment requires a great deal of time and effort. In 2007, SNCF Réseau and the City of Paris set out to make the line more accessible, even though nature had reclaimed its rights for almost sixty years. On these nature trails, footpaths rub shoulders with authentic rails.
Since then, several sections have been opened up, and many new living spaces have sprung up along the way. The diversity of the capital can be seen here, with third places, bucolic promenades and underground tunnels, for strolls both in the urban environment and in the heart of nature, as close as possible to the flora and fauna. For the moment, it's impossible to walk around Paris on the Petite Ceinture, but in a few years' time, the different sections could well join up! In the meantime, we invite you to discover the most beautiful walks on the capital's former railroads.
Strolls along the old railroad lines in Paris :
Jardin des Traverses: a space for relaxation and urban agriculture on the Little Belt
The Petite Ceinture continues to come back to life with the arrival of the Jardin des Traverses, a space open to all, combining an educational greenhouse, a market garden, a community bar and a cultural stage! [Read more]
La Coulée Verte de Paris, the unusual and hidden walk from Bastille to Vincennes
Paris's Coulée Verte René-Dumont, formerly known as the Promenade Plantée, is a beautiful, little-known walk for Parisians, taking us on a verdant journey from the Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes over the Viaduc des Arts. It's an unusual and shady way to discover Paris, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. [Read more]
A stroll along the 12th arrondissement's Petite Ceinture: an air of countryside from Vincennes to Porte Dorée
From Vincennes to Porte Dorée, you can enjoy a moment out of time, listening to birdsong as if you were in the countryside, on the longest stretch of the Petite Ceinture! [Read more]
Stroll on the Petite Ceinture of the 19th district: the aerial crossing, from Rosa Parks to the Canal de l'Ourcq
We leave on the tracks of the Petite Ceinture of the 19th district of Paris, between nature, city and canal! This little stroll in two parts goes from Rosa Parks to Ourcq districts and proposes some places where to spend a good time. [Read more]
Stroll along the Petite Ceinture from the 14th to the 16th arrondissement: a nature trail with a change of scenery
After the strolls along the Petite Ceinture in Paris's 18th and 17th arrondissements, we're off to the 14th, 15th and 16th arrondissements for an almost three-kilometre walk in close proximity to nature. [Read more]
A stroll along the 18th arrondissement's "Petite Ceinture": the Hasard Ludique and the REcyclerie, the must-sees
The capital abounds in beautiful natural spots, notably on the Petite Ceinture, a former railway line hidden from view. In Paris's 18th arrondissement, two must-see spots allow you to visit its rails: Hasard Ludique and REcyclerie. [Read more]
A stroll along the 17th arrondissement's Petite Ceinture: the Promenade Pereire, a little haven of peace
Along the Petite Ceinture in Paris's 17th arrondissement, you'll discover a quiet, bucolic stroll among rose bushes and climbing plants, just a stone's throw from Porte Maillot. [Read more]
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