The Promenade Plantée (officially Coulée Verte René-Dumont) runs about 4.7 km through the 12th arrondissement. Opened in 1993 on a disused railway line, it was the world's first elevated park — New York's High Line came later. In places you walk about 10 m above street level among greenery and facades. Nearby, Septime (1 Michelin star) is a 15-minute walk; for classic bistro food in the same arrondissement, Bistro Paul Bert on Rue Paul Bert is the reference.
From the Vincennes line to elevated park
In 1859, Napoleon III opened the Vincennes Line, a steam railway linking Bastille Station to eastern suburbs as far as Verneuil-l'Étang. It carried millions of commuters until the RER A made it redundant in the 1960s.
The last passenger train ran on 14 December 1969. Bastille Station was demolished in 1984 for the Opéra Bastille (1989). The elevated tracks and red-brick viaduct lay abandoned for nearly two decades.
In the 1980s, Mayor Jacques Chirac's administration chose to preserve the Bastille Viaduct rather than demolish it. Philippe Mathieux and Jacques Vergely designed the Promenade Plantée; Patrick Berger turned the viaduct spans into the Viaduc des Arts with artisan workshops. Opened in 1993.
What to see along 4.7 km
Viaduc des Arts (Avenue Daumesnil): 64 restored arched bays house luthiers, glassblowers, carpenters, jewellers and galleries. Walk the avenue sidewalk and watch craftsmen at work through the glass fronts.
Elevated section: a linear garden atop the viaduct, ~10 m high. Japanese cherry trees, limes, climbing roses, lavender and bamboo. You pass at third-floor window level and cross bridges over busy avenues — a unique view of Haussmannian facades.
Jardin de Reuilly and Passerelle de Reuilly: the 12th arrondissement's largest park, with a central circular lawn. The Promenade crosses via a 70 m wood-and-steel suspension bridge. The park has Paris's first public fountain with free sparkling water.
Reuilly Tunnel: a former underground railway passage turned into a damp grotto with ivy, ferns and small artificial waterfalls. A cool microclimate in the middle of the city.
Extension to Bois de Vincennes: the ground-level section, shared with cyclists, ends at Square Charles-Péguy. From there, walk on to the Bois de Vincennes — lakes, zoo and Château de Vincennes.
Practical information
| Item | Practical Information (2026) |
|---|---|
| Address | Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 75012 Paris. Main access on Rue de Lyon, just behind Opéra Bastille. |
| How to Get There (Metro) | Start (Bastille): Bastille (Lines 1, 5 and 8). Middle (Jardin de Reuilly): Montgallet (Line 8) or Gare de Lyon (Lines 1, 14 and RER A). End: Porte de Charenton (Line 8). |
| Opening Hours | Opens daily at 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends and holidays. Closing times vary by season: winter 5:45pm; spring and autumn 7–8:30pm; summer 2026 closes at 9:30pm. |
| Ticket Price | 100% free entry along the entire route. No advance booking required. |
| Official Website | paris.fr (Paris City Hall) |
Practical tips
Main access: entrance at 34 Rue de Lyon — stone staircase and lift up to the viaduct. Step-free alternative: enter via Jardin de Reuilly, where the path descends gently.
Best season: spring (April–May), when cherry trees and roses bloom. Walk between 8:30 and 10am to avoid crowds — the park is nearly empty, used mainly by locals.
Combined route: explore Place de la Bastille, walk the Promenade to Jardin de Reuilly, lunch at Marché d'Aligre (5 minutes on foot) and descend to browse Viaduc des Arts workshops. To stay in the neighbourhood, Hôtel Fabric occupies a former textile factory a few blocks from the Promenade.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I cycle on the Promenade Plantée?
Not on the elevated section (Bastille to Jardin de Reuilly). Allowed on the ground-level section from Jardin de Reuilly to Square Charles-Péguy, with a marked cycle path.
2. Is the park accessible?
Yes. Public lifts connect Avenue Daumesnil to the viaduct top — at Rue de Lyon, Avenue Daumesnil (~No. 100) and Jardin de Reuilly. The elevated path is flat and step-free.
3. Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a leash along the entire route. One of the few linear green spaces in Paris that welcomes dogs.
Combine with guides on this site
To keep exploring on this site, these guides pair well with this article: Septime, Bistro Paul Bert and Hôtel Fabric.
Editorial note: prices, opening hours and booking conditions in this guide are references checked against official and institutional sources in July 2026. Confirm on the official website before your visit, as details may change.