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Coulée Verte – Paris’ high line

The Coulée Verte is one of the many projects to improve the quality of life and recreation in the urban environment of Paris. If you’ve been to Paris a few years ago and would come back today, you’d probably realize the green difference already. But we’re just at the beginning!

The world’s biggest urban farm is about to open on the rooftop of the Paris Expo and plans to create a park that links the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower are already approved. We can also look forward to the transformation of the forecourt of the Parisian Town Hall – from a concrete desert to an oasis of trees and greens.

However, the Coulée Verte! What is it?

You probably heard about the high line in New York – it’s quite a popular spot for locals and visitors to hang out or more interestingly, to get a unique glimpse of Manhattan from an elevated level.

But did you actually know that the world’s first high line was inaugurated in Paris? Yep, that’s right! That’s the Coulée Verte (or Promenade Plantée)! It is opened for public since1993 and follows the former tracks of the Vincennes railway through the 12th arrondissement – from Bastille down to the Paris city limits.

Coulée Verte Fun Facts

The Vincennes railway line operated from 1859 to 1969 between Bastille and Verneuil-l`Étang, a town 60km outside Paris
The Coulée Verte was the world first and only elevated parkway for a few years, until the New York Highline was inaugurated in 2009
If you’re a fan of Ethan Hawk and Julie Delpy, the setting will seem familiar: The Coulée Verte was one of the filming locations of “Before Sunset”
Many Parisians considered it a waste of money at the time

The Paris Highline has a total length of 4.7km and is subdivided into different sections. The elevated section starts at Avenue Daumesnil on top of the arcades of the Viaduct des Arts. After the Jardin de Reuilly, the Promenade Plantée descents to the street level and follows the rail track that leads out of Paris.

How to access the Coulée Verte?

You best start your walk on the Paris high line at the Viaduct des Arts near Bastille.

1, 5 and 8. Take Rue de Lyon with the Opéra on your right and after 200m you’ll hit upon the Viaduct des Arts. Take the stairs to access the Promenade Plantée and start your walk!

opening times

Every day! From 8am (9am on weekends) to 5:30pm (winter) to 9:30pm (summer)

The promenade Plantée or the coulée verte are Paris highline - a green belt trough the 12th arrondissement and a highlight for everyone who wants to visit Paris without the crowds — The Viaduct des Arts at the Avenue Daumesnil – access the Promenade Plantée and start your walk on top of the arcades of the old viaduct

The arcades of the Viaduct des Arts are filled with artisan stores and manufactories

visit an alternativ Paris and take a walk on the coulée verte - an unusual thing to do in Paris! — The Coulée Verte is an elevated park on the old railways of the Vincennes railway

Promenade Plantée: Activities

First of all, you can obviously walk. You can walk the entire length of 4.7km. You also can just walk parts of it and use one of the many exits that bring you back to street level – or that are intersections between the different parts of the Coulée Verte.

The first section between the Viaduct des Arts and the Jardin de Reuilly is a pedestrian area. It’s a very popular track for runners, especially on Sunday mornings. The Jardin de Reuilly is a green patch and a nice spot for a picnic or just to take a break and relax a bit.

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The eastern section from the Jardin de Reuilly can be cycled! The official track for the cyclist isn’t too long though but it’s a nice treelined stretch. It also pretty save though, especially if you visit Paris with kids: there are 2 lanes separated by a green batch, one for pedestrians and one for cyclists.

Tips for visiting the Coulé Verte:

Tip 1: zero waste No need to pack bottled water for your walk! The coulée verte is equipped with water fountains, pack a reusable bottle and keep your footprint small!

Tip 2: If you want to grab some food for a picnic later – there’s an Ari’s Bagel store just across the street of the entrance at the Viaduct des Arts.