Hi guys,

Once again, we meet in Paris.
I am going to show you “La Coulée Verte” (->French for “green course”), near Bastille.
I would say that probably more than 80% of the people going there are Parisians.
I didn’t know about this place myself until I saw the romance movie “Before Sunset” (sequel of “Before Sunrise“) in 2007.
The story of that movie (released in 2003) took place in Paris.
There was a scene where the 2 main characters were walking along a beautiful green promenade.
It was so beautiful that I asked one of good my friend who had been living in Paris all her life
if she knew where that scene was shot.
She told me -> Ohh, I know. That’s the “Coulée Verte“, near Bastille.
I went there a few days after to see it with my own eyes and it was as beautiful as in the movie.

We start our little walking tour near the métro station “Bastille“.

Before going towards the “Coulée verte“, let’s go have a quick look at the “Port de l’arsenal“.
The “Port de l’arsenal” links the “Canal Saint Martin” to the river “La Seine” between “Place de la bastille”
and “Quai de la Rapée”. Take a little stroll along the water and enjoy the moment.

Now, leave the “Port de l’arsenal” and walk 350 meters along the street called “Rue de Lyon“.
You’ll end up walking on the “Avenue Daumesnil” -> This is were the fun begins.
Look to the left and you’ll see a very long Viaduct made of red bricks and cut stones.

This viaduct (now called “Viaduct des Arts”) houses a set of craft workshops and other kind of shops (on ground level).
Originally, the viaduct used to be a railway line linking Place de la bastille to the city of Vincennes along the Avenue Dausmenil.

What we want my friend is go up there, on the viaduct, 10 meters above the ground.
To do just that, take the stairs at the intersection of “Avenue Daumesnil” and “Rue Marceau“.

Here we are at last-> La Coulée Verte.
This linear park that was built in the late 1980s on the top of an obsolete railway infrastrure.
Now look around you. You see how green it is ?

Trees, flowers and many kinds of plants have been planted all along this old railway line.
If you walk all the way until the end of this green belt, you’ll arrive at the Park of Reuilly (1.5 km further on).

Walk along this beautiful green promenade and take your time while doing it.
It is pretty funny to think that while walking along this promenade, you hear the sound of the traffic 10 meters below.
But quite oddly, after walking 10 minutes in this green realm of tranquility, you do not hear the sound of traffic anymore.

When, you’ll arrive at the Park of Reuilly, wander round in this park and sit on a bench.
During the summer, Parisians living in this area like to go there, lay on the ground or play with their kids.

Nice insider tips for yo guys -> Bring an empty bottle of water with you.
If you like sparkling water, there is a Sparkling Water Fountain just next to the exit of the park,
near the city hall the 12th district of Paris.

My tips for the Coulée Verte:

1/ Walk towards Bastille untill the beginning of the promenade.
2/ Walk in the opposite direction until you reach the Park of Reuilly.
3/ Do not walk fast (enjoy the moment).
4/ Go there with friends.
5/ Wander around in the Park of Reuilly.
6/ Watch the 2 movies Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.