Coulée Verte René-Dumont (Promenade Plantée)

The Basics

High above the city, jog, walk, or skate along the Promenade Plantée, a fantastical urban escape unique to Paris. Explore the walkway as a tasting-walking tour of the Bastille district where peasants famously began their revolutionary revolt against the king. Walk the promenade and dip into gourmet shops along Rue d'Aligre and Rue de la Roquette and throughout the Viaduc des Arts to sample delicacies at local eateries and shop at traditional food markets for wine, artisan breads and cheeses, before having a sweet confection at Alain Ducasse’s famed chocolate shop.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Promenade Plantée is an ideal spot to relax or exercise in a unique natural spot.
• At this height, you have a unique perspective from which to inspect Gare de Lyon and Romanesque-Byzantine Church of Saint-Antoine des Quinze-Vingts.
• The path ends at Bois de Vincennes, an enormous, hilly park perfect for bike-riding.

How to Get There

Promenade Plantée follows an old railway track in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, from Opéra Bastille to Bois de Vincennes. The path starts at the crossroads of rue de Lyon and avenue Daumesnil, with staircases, bike ramps, and elevators along the route. Take Métro lines 1 or 8 to Bastille and walk about five minutes down rue de Lyon, bearing left at the fork.

When to Get There

Promenade Plantée is open year-round, with closing hours varying slightly with the season. Beat the crowds by exploring the landscaped walk during the week. Come mid-June for the two-day Festival Coulée Douce, a theater, music and arts festival along the promenade.

Revitalizing the City

The creation of this extraordinary elevated nature path kicked off a dramatic revitalization of the streets below. The renewal is the most dramatic at Viaduc des Arts, the first segment of the promenade where it crosses over an old viaduct where each of its vaults has been transformed into a shop, eaterie or art gallery. Elsewhere, some 80 buildings that had fallen into disrepair have been restored since the walk opened.

Ways to explore

The Coulée Verte René-Dumont is often missed on standard sightseeing tours of Paris, so look for excursions that focus on local spots and hidden gems instead. For the full experience, take a walking tour of the Bastille district starting at Place de la Bastille, where you’ll find the Bastille Opera House (Opéra Bastille) and the Canal Saint-Martin.

Nearby, the Viaduc des Arts, filled with artisan shops and galleries, marks the start of the high line walkway. Climb the steps to the top to reach the elevated path, which runs to Bois de Vincennes.

Accessibility

The pathway is mostly wheelchair accessible, and an elevator is available at Hector Malot Street.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, reusable water bottle, umbrella, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes; light, breathable clothing

Not allowed

Smoking/vaping (banned from public parks in Paris), off-leash dogs

Amenities

Public restrooms, water fountains, free Wi-Fi hotspots

Address

The Coulée Verte René-Dumont starts at the crossroads of Rue de Lyon and Avenue Daumesnil in the 12th arrondissement, a short walk from Place de la Bastille, and ends by the Bois de Vincennes. The majority of the route is pedestrian-only, but there is also a bike path along the eastern section. Other entry and exit points are located along the elevated walkway.

Driving

Driving in central Paris isn’t recommended, and with the start and end of the walkway located about an hour’s walk apart, it’s far more convenient to use public transport.

Public transportation

To reach the start of the path, take metro lines 1 or 8 to Bastille, from where it’s about a 5-minute walk. The end of the trail is near the Montempoivre tram stop (T3a), and a 15-minute walk from Porte de Vincennes metro station on line 1.

Best times to visit

If you’re visiting in summer, time your walk early or late in the day to avoid the hottest hours. Whenever you visit, be sure to check the weather forecast before you set out. Note that the trail opens slightly later on weekend mornings and closes earlier

Best days to visit

Popular sections of the walkway can get busy on weekends. Opt for a weekday stroll outside of peak season, and you might have the trail all to yourself.

Best months to visit

The trail is prettiest in spring and early summer when the roses, tulips, and jasmine trees are in full bloom. September and October are great months for walking with cooler weather and changing fall foliage.

Special events

Festivals and special events: You could time your walk to attend one of the open-air music concerts held on summer evenings in Bois de Vincennes.