Less than an hour from Paris, visitors can now enjoy panoramic views in the midst of a natural area that had long been neglected. Located between Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-d’Oise, Butte Pinson spans 122 hectares and overlooks the northern part of the Paris metropolitan area. Its latest addition is near Villetaneuse: a large, seven-hectare clearing, set to open in spring 2026 and accessible in just a few minutes by tram.
A new seven-hectare clearing on Butte Pinson
Inaugurated on May 27, the Bas Jardins clearing serves as a new gateway to Butte Pinson. The landscape is organized around a vast meadow crisscrossed by 1.3 kilometers of walking paths and 600 meters of alleys. A metal observation deck offers a view of the entire area from a slightly elevated vantage point, while a wild rose garden echoes the narrow layout of the former farm plots.
The project also involved planting 844 trees and 465 shrubs of local origin. More than 26,000 square meters of woodlands were created to provide refuges for wildlife and connect the area’s various natural spaces. The site is partly built on a former quarry that has been backfilled: rather than hauling the soil away, 2,600 cubic meters of excavated material were reworked on-site to reshape the terrain and minimize truck traffic.
This new clearing thus extends the Ruban Vert, the Parc Sud, and the cross-town promenade, which have already been developed over the years. It is also less than a ten-minute walk from the Villetaneuse Université stop on the T8 tram line, making it a fairly easy outing to organize from Paris.
A former landscape of vineyards, mills, and quarries on the outskirts of Paris
Butte Pinson is sometimes described as Montmartre’s little sister: it is the first major hill north of Paris after the one in the 18th arrondissement. It offers several views of the Paris Basin, but its history is primarily linked to farming. Millers, winemakers, and market gardeners worked its slopes in succession before quarries began extracting gypsum—used to make plaster—until the mid-20th century.
The site then suffered several decades of neglect before the launch of a major revitalization program. Today, the walking path winds through meadows, woods, orchards, and community gardens. Forty-five family plots, a communal orchard, and a chicken coop serve as reminders of the hill’s agricultural past. The GR10 hiking trail also crosses the estate, as does a trail dedicated to Maurice Utrillo, who painted these landscapes with Suzanne Valadon.
Depending on your starting point, you can reach Butte Pinson via the T8 tram in Villetaneuse, via the T5 tram at the Butte Pinson stop, or from the Pierrefitte-Stains train station by continuing on by bus. A great idea for an outing this summer!
Location: Butte Pinson – Butte Pinson Regional Nature Area – Villetaneuse