After the eco-friendly "tiers-lieux" in the 18th arrondissement and the walk among the rose bushes in the 17th arrondissement, we're now heading for a nature trail criss-crossing the city, between three Parisian arrondissements. While it's possible to do all the sections of the Petite Ceinture open to the public at once, it's advisable to break up your walk, as the kilometers go by quickly. Indeed, the different sections don't yet meet up, and you often have to walk or take public transport in between. For today's three sections, you'll need streetcars, buses and, above all, good shoes!
We begin our journey in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, at 36 boulevard de Beauséjour, near the Ranelagh metro station on line 9 of the Paris metro. An area is reserved entirely for dogs, offering them a shady stroll away from the hustle and bustle of Paris. On this stretch of the old railroad line, there are no tracks, but a quiet, pleasant wooded path, about 1.2km long. Six "nature stops" along the route provide an opportunity to learn more about the biodiversity of the former railway site.
The section, part of the Auteuil line, offers an astonishing landscape of lush green clearings close to the buildings. The treetops have been brought together to create canopies that let in the sunlight. At the end of this stretch, you come to the Brasserie Auteuil, formerly the Gare d'Auteuil-Boulogne, the former terminus of the Auteuil line. Then take bus 88 from Porte d'Auteuil to the Leblanc-Delbarre or Place Balard stop, close to the Petite Ceinture in the 15th arrondissement.
Unlike the previous section, which started at street level, here you have to take the stairs (or the elevator when it's not out of order), to get a good view of the neighborhood. That's the beauty of the 32km railroad line, with its many styles and landscapes. Here, in the 15th arrondissement, nature intermingles with the remnants of the tracks and pieces of the buildings, which seem to be cut in two by the track. A striking contrast, which allows you to admire their architecture up close.
Nearly 220 species of plants and animals roam in this environment, alongside humans, between Parc André Citroën and Parc Georges Brassens. No lights are installed on the tracks, to preserve their biological rhythms as much as possible, and the embankments are inaccessible to passers-by, to limit disturbance. Nature is king here, and onlookers are asked to respect the ecosystem. This section is the second largest open to the public, after that of the 12th arrondissement. Once you've reached the end of the accessible track, head for the T3a tramway, from Georges Brassens to Didot, for the last section in south-west Paris.
Although the Petite Ceinture in the 14th arrondissement is very short compared to the other two, at just 750m, it does hold a few surprises, with its raised planted lanes. Here, street art rubs shoulders with ivy, in a blend that transports us to another world, where we feel far removed from Paris. At the end of the walk, we pass under a surprisingly wide tunnel where works of art share the space with graffiti. To regain your strength after this long walk, take a break at Poinçon, a lively place located in the Montrouge-Ceinture station, in a warm setting, with an interesting cultural program.
Discover other parts of the railroad :
A guide to walks on the Petite Ceinture in Paris, for walks in the heart of nature
Do you know the Petite Ceinture? This abandoned railway line, 32km long, encircles Paris and offers nice green spots, far from the Parisian tumult. Shall we go for a walk off the beaten track? [Read more]
Location
16th arrondissement inner ring road
36 Boulevard de Beauséjour
75116 Paris 16
Prices
Free
Average duration
2 h
A guide to walks on the Petite Ceinture in Paris, for walks in the heart of nature
