If the 12th arrondissement is one of our favorite corners of the capital, there are a thousand reasons why… Passage du Chantier, Bercy Village, Bercy Beaucoup and a host of fine gourmet addresses: there’s no better reason to take a stroll in this corner of eastern Paris. Among them, the superb Coulée Verte is THE bucolic stroll par excellence. We invite you to discover it.
The Coulée Verte, an unmissable escape in the 12th arrondissement
The Coulée Verte in the 12th arrondissement is a little-known part of Paris. Also known as the Promenade Plantée, it links the area around Bastille (Avenue Daumesnil) to Porte Dorée and Porte de Vincennes.
It’s the ideal way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into the midst of nature. Built along the former Vincennes railway line, closed in 1969, the 4.5-kilometre walk is a real change of scenery. A good half of the Coulée Verte offers an ideal vantage point for overlooking the city, since the route is some 7 meters above the streets. After the footbridges, the walk descends to street level, passing under small tunnels. In short, the tour is far from monotonous!
The Coulée Verte is aptly named, for in addition to the endemic Île-de-France flora of the gardens that make it up (Jardin Hector Malot, Jardin de Reuilly and Jardin Charles Péguy), there are many trees and plants that are very rare in Paris. The Coulée Verte is also a rich architectural stroll, divided between Haussmann buildings and more modern constructions. Staircases and elevators make the walk accessible all along the way. For the more sporty, the second part of the route offers a cycle path in addition to the pedestrian walkway.
It’s up to you!
Coulée Verte – 1, avenue Daumesnil – 40, boulevard Carnot – 75012