Barely a week after the openings of Vertical'Art in the Yvelines and Hardbloc in Alfortville, Arkose, the new bouldering gym in Montreuil, opens its doors.
For those still looking, there are no climbing gyms in Paris. Certainly for reasons of surface area, height and price. So you have to move around a bit to enjoy a climbing space. Arkose, the latest of the bunch, is without doubt the most accessible climbing gym in Paris. Located between Porte de Montreuil and Porte de Vincennes, it's served by 2 metro lines, the tramway and the RER. So, if you're from the east of Paris, there's no excuse not to take up the gym. That is, if you like playing spiders.
Speaking of sports, climbing is one of the most complete sports there is. It works your flexibility and muscles, and burns a lot of calories (a wink to the girls who made good resolutions this year).
Returning to Arkose, the room reveals a 900m2 site typical of the great industrial era of eastern Paris. The designers decided to keep the industrial aspect of the site and the original glass roofs, which give the space a beautiful luminosity.
Right from the entrance, the focus is on the bar area, which offers everything you need to relax, have a beer, refuel if you're feeling peckish, or have lunch or dinner on the go. The menu is simple, with healthy, home-cooked food made with fresh ingredients. Hot dishes at lunchtime and snacks in the evening are on the menu.
On the left is the indoor climbing area, with 150 boulders divided into 6 levels of difficulty (as in Fontainebleau), to enable both beginners and more experienced climbers to enjoy the experience.
Upstairs, in addition to the relaxation area that attracts young people looking for a place to unwind with free wifi access, there's a traverse for training or warming up, a torture area for building up hands and arms, and a small play area for children aged 2 and over.
Weak points include the absence of roofs (for climbing upside down) and a weight room. On the plus side, there are overhangs, a grotto and airy routes with not too many holds, reminiscent of the boulders of Fontainebleau.
In short, all you have to do is give it a try, folks. And don't leave the kids out - they love it. And if you're ever tempted to try your hand at it, you'll find courses for young and old alike.
Practical info:
Arkose, Montreuil bouldering gym
33, rue du Progrès - 93100 Montreuil
Open daily 9am-11pm weekdays and 8am-9pm weekends
Prices: €13 each, €11 reduced, €8 under 12, €5 under 5
Slipper hire: €4, reduced €3
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Location
Arkose climbing gym
33 Rue du Progrès
93100 Montreuil
Access
Metro: lines 1 (Saint-Mandé) and 9 (Pte de Montreuil or Robespierre) Tramway (Pte de Montreuil or Pte de Vincennes) RER A (Vincennes)
Prices
à l'unité: €13
carnet de 10: €110
à l'année: €450
More information
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
