Promenade Plantee (credit Gardenvisit.com)
You’ll find the entrance to the Promenade Plantée on l’Avenue Daumesnil just south of the Bastille Opera where you’ll head up the steps. This is a raised promenade that follows to a large extent the old chemin de fer de l’Est (railway line). It’s a real treat of a walk that allows you to get away from the hoards, sniff roses and look out over the Parisian rooftops whilst being mown down by passing joggers. (Only joking – pedestrians and joggers can co-exist – the path’s generally wide enough).
Dying Slaves Promenade Plantee
You’ll be walking through the rooftops of Paris, and will see amongst other things reproductions of “The Dying Slave” on top of a police station on the corner of Rue de Rambouillet (see photo above – credited to Paris Walking Tours.)
The promenade’s 4.5km long so you’ll get a decent amount of exercise and it ends a short way away from the Bois de Vincennes (and it’s a short walk to Metro Dorée to get you home). There’s also a cycle route running below, joining up with the promenade later, but still split into two paths – so you’ll not be mown down by cyclists either.
As an alternative to the raised area, between the arches of the Viaduct (the Viaduc des Arts) a number of artists and artisan workshops were established to complete the renovation of this crumbling piece of engineering in the late 1980s.
Born in Belfast and now living in London, Julie McNamee is involved in internet marketing as a day job and blogging as a hobby. She’s interested in all things quirky and Fortean, as well as art, photography and theatre. Her blog Quirky Travel, specializes in London and Paris top tips and off the beaten path information with subjects such as London film locations and unusual Paris museums.
