Prior to the automobile, urban industrialists moved things around big cities using the steam engine. In the 20th century, these urban rail lines were gradually replaced by roads and trucks leaving miles of unused tracks. In 2009, New York City opened the High Line Park, a highly acclaimed project that took an out of use elevated rail bridge and turned it into a long, narrow park towering 25 feet over the city. To many city lovers and urban planners (myself included) this recycling of blighted urban space seemed really creative, yet one Paris park had done the same thing nearly 20 years before.
The Promenade Plantée (“tree-lined walkway”, also called La Coulée Verte or “green course”) is a 2.9 mile long elevated linear park that crosses over the southeast corner of Paris. The park starts near the Bastille metro station, where a historic rail station once stood (now home to the Bastille Opera House).
If you climb the stairs, you’ll reach a narrow pedestrian path lined with gardens. I visited the park around lunch time and most benches seemed to held by people eating or reading on their lunch break.
I was there on a warm day at the very beginning of spring so lots of parkgoers were anxious to soak in the sun.
It seemed strange to see sunbathers laying on a hard, wooden walkway but I guess that’s what you do when you are over a hundred miles from the nearest beach.
Like the High Line in New York, the Promenade Plantée project raised property values and spurred new construction and residential development in the area. Some new buildings were even built over and around the park.
In addition to the modern development, the walkway provided a great view of more traditional Paris rooftops.
Near the east side, the promenade passed over a lovely neighborhood park called the Jardin de Reuilly.
This popular park was packed with picnickers enjoying the mid-day sun. I suspect that there was a high school or university nearby because most of the groups were young. I enjoyed looking down over the patchwork of people.
And if I thought it was strange to see sunbathers on the promenade, bikini-clad Parisians on beach towels made me see…
This colorful and creative Paris park is a valuable urban retreat, especially after a long grey winter.
Have you been to Paris? What is your favorite Paris park?
This looks absolutely wonderful! I was in Paris in September, but never made it here. However I did go to the High Line in New York, and absolutely loved it. I won’t have a chance to make it to Paris this year, but my mum and stepdad are heading there in March or April I think, so I’ll send them this post 🙂
Thanks a lot, Tom! These photos were taken in mid-April last year so I really hope they get weather like this! It is a nice park and a bit longer than the High Line (as it is right now) so it makes a satisfying scenic walk. It’s a little far off from the normal tourist sights, but I think that’s a really good thing in such a crowded city 🙂 Safe travels to them!
Wow Mid-April. How hot does it get there. I’m going in late May.
No warmer than this, this was one of the first sunny days of Spring after the long winter so people were especially eager to see the sun 🙂 May would be in the 70s (F) most days, I would guess?
Thanks, Jaclynn! I did not try that maker but I would love to find out what you think! If you are interested in writing a guest post to share your favorite macarons in Paris, that would be great, too. Enjoy your trip!
That is super cool!
Like Tom, I’ve only been to the High Line (at dusk, which was magical). This park looks amazing though. Our time in Paris was only okay weatherwise, but I definitely notice Europeans take any chance to sunbathe out in parks…
Oh, the High Line would be a great place to watch sunset over the river. That does sound magical! It is such a really creative way to turn unused city development into much needed park space for locals a draw for tourists, too!
We’ve been to Paris several times and finally made it to La Coulée Verte in 2012, so glad we did, it’s a great way to escape the city without leaving it.
As much as I love big cities, some of my favorite places in them are parks like this that allow a temporary escape 🙂
Love the Promenade Plantée! I was there in autumn so got a lot of golden and red leaves, but those spring flowers look beautiful.
Oooh, the fall colors in Paris would be nice! I never realized it but I don’t often see photos of Paris in the fall. Have you posted any photos? Share the link when you do!
Some photos of the Promenade Plantée in autumn here: http://ontheluce.com/2011/11/03/paris-promenade-plantee/ I spent 6 weeks housesitting there a few years ago in September/October so most of my photos are of that time of year!
Thanks, I love the fall colors!
We loved the High Line Park in NYC when we visited this past June! I was not aware of Promenade Plantée! Hopefully we can add it to our agenda when we are there in a few weeks!
Excellent! It’s such a gorgeous place for a walk!