Behind the buildings of the 20th arrondissement, the Bois de Charonne has everything you need for a rejuvenating stroll. Open to the public in July 2024, this new green space allows visitors to follow a little-known section of the Petite Ceinture while watching a forest gradually take shape right in the heart of the city.
The trail begins near the Porte de Vincennes and extends for about 600 meters to Rue du Volga. The old railroad tracks have been preserved in some places, complete with their ballast and rails, while an accessible path winds through meadows, groves, and small clearings. The entire area covers 3.5 hectares and leads directly to the Charonne Station Garden.
The Bois de Charonne, an urban forest planted on a former brownfield site
Before its transformation, the land belonged to the SNCF and had previously housed an RATP bus depot. Part of the soil, which was once covered with tar, was de-sealed and then replaced with topsoil. More than 7,500 trees and forest seedlings were then planted, including oaks, birches, Scots pines, service trees, and several Mediterranean species better suited to hot summers.
Here, there are no large landscaped lawns or spectacular amenities, but rather a walking path where railway history coexists with a landscape that is still young. The rails are a reminder of the former Paris circular line, which was closed to passengers in 1934 along this section, while the plantings are intended to enhance biodiversity and mitigate the heat island effect in the neighborhood.
The Bois de Charonne can easily be explored in about thirty minutes, though it takes longer if you continue your walk toward the Jardin de la Gare de Charonne. It’s an outing well-suited for those seeking a quiet spot without leaving Paris, as well as for those who enjoy seeing how old infrastructure is repurposed. The area is expected to become even more appealing over the years, as the trees grow and the vegetation becomes denser.
Location: Bois de Charonne, 103 Cours de Vincennes, 75020 Paris
Hours: Through August 31, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.