Most popular parks and gardens like Tuileries and the Luxembourg Gardens appear in every travel guide and become crowded quickly. Paris is also home to offbeat, enchanting green spaces with intriguing histories.
La Promenade Plantée – birth of a project
The Coulée Verte, also known as Promenade Plantée, offers an alternative stroll in Paris, stretching from Bastille to Vincennes, sheltered from cars, and built on an abandoned old railway viaduct. It is the world’s first elevated park with diverse flora that leads to larger parks. The elevated trail was restored into Viaduc des Arts including studios of arts, furniture showrooms and art galleries. Most people at street level don’t realise the secret parkway exists just above their heads.
The Coulée Verte inspired the High Line in New York City, which opened in 2009, and Seoul Skypark. This elevated linear park, just under 5 km long, is a delightful experience for both visitors and residents living along it!
La Coulée Verte is not only an urban oasis but also a street art heaven. In the guide below, I will highlight the most remarkable street art pieces along the Promenade Plantée.
How do I get to La Coulée Verte ?
See my Coulée Verte itinerary on Google Maps for more details.
From the Opéra Bastille, reach the promenade by taking the stairs on rue de Lyon marked with La Coulée Verte. Alternatively, access it at the level of the shops and artists’ studios under the Viaduct
Itinerary from Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes
The Coulée Verte is divided into three parts when walking from East to West: the Viaduc des Arts, the underground walkway, and the trail divided into the pedestrian and cycling paths.
1. Viaduc des Arts – the aerial walkway
Av. Daumesnil – Jardin de Reuilly (1,4km)
It begins near Bastille opera with the aerial walkway on Viaduc des Arts that leads till the Jardin de Reuilly. Several staircases lead to an elevated pathway featuring a pool and garden area adorned with diverse wild vegetation, including rose bushes, triton, lavender, bamboo, ivies, vines, wisteria, cherry trees, maples, and lime trees.
When you ascend the nearest staircase to the arcades of Avenue Daumesnil, you’ll encounter the first street art right at the top of the stairs. Just turn around to see the artwork of Loraine MTI.
As you follow the pathway, the unexpected views of buildings in the 12th arrondissement enhance the enjoyment of your stroll. Being elevated 10 meters (3.28 feet) above street level adds an intriguing dimension to the experience.
At the intersection of Rue Hector Malot, there is a mural created by the artist Anna Conda. She decorated two elevator shafts providing access to the walkway at the level of 40 and 86 av Daumesnil.
Under the arches of the aerial pathway there are multiple artisanal boutiques, shops, art galleries worth checking .
Jardin de Reuilly is the largest green space in 12th arrondissement, a perfect picnic spot with Sparkling water fountain. Take the Passerelle André Léo that runs along an elevated walkway 10 m above the Jardin de Reuilly.
Several prominent and visually striking street art installations can be found adjacent to Jardin de Reuilly-Paul Pernin on 12 Rue Albinoni such as the work of Ruben Carrasco.
2. Underground walkway
Jardin de Reuilly – Allée Vivaldi (260m)
At the end of Jardin de Reuilly, Allée Vivaldi splits into the street level pedestrian path and bike lane to finally enter Tunnel de Reuilly at the end of the allée. At the entrance and inside the Tunnel de Reuilly, you’ll discover the animal-themed artworks created by Anna Conda and Emy Art.
Now the walkway continues below street level where both sides are bordered by tall sloping hillsides and it goes through several old railroad tunnels. In the tunnel that passes under Rue de Pipcus, the street-art artist Caroline Laguerre and Thiago Goms made their mark painting the small separations between the pedestrian and bicycle paths.
3. Split into two trails
The Promenade Plantee splits as it goes to Rue de Sahel :
- One trail goes pararell to Rue de Sahel. At the intersection to Av. du Dr. Arnold Netter in Bel Air you will see the artwork of Ned Nedellec. This trail terminates at Square Charles Péguy with ping-pong tables and small ponds that cascade into one another. It’s right next to the former path of a branch line that once linked to the Petite Ceinture railway. Street art artist, Daco decorated the Charles Péguy square by creating a fish-themed artwork, next to the two deers painted by Ruben Carrasco. A truly beautiful composition that integrates perfectly into the setting.
- Another trail continues to the beltway (Périphérique). Continuing on straight a metal spiral staircase goes up to Boulevard Carnot leading to the Bois de Vincennes.
Reasons to visit Promenade Plantée :
- It offers a unique elevated garden experience. It is built on an old railway viaduct, providing visitors with a one-of-a-kind perspective as they stroll among greenery and flowers.
- Promenade Plantée offers a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. It provides an escape from the bustling city streets, allowing visitors to relax and unwind surrounded by nature.
- It features stunning architecture, blending historic viaduct structures with modern landscaping design.
- To enjoy artistic installations and street-art along its route, adding an extra layer of interest and creativity to the experience.
- The Promenade Plantée’s robust vegetation offers visitors a lush and immersive natural environment unlike any other in Paris.
- The reason to visit Promenade Plantée is to enjoy a picturesque setting for picnics or recreational activities like playing football in the charming Jardin de Reuilly.
Discover other beautiful unusual gardens and squares to visit in Paris. Looking for an unique stroll near Paris? Read our guide about the scented strolls nearby.