A Hidden Paradise in the City of Light

While researching about Paris I came across a paragraph in a book that talked about an old raised railway line that had be transformed into a walkway with gardens for around 3 kms, starting near Bastille.  It was difficult to find more information, but the trail of breadcrumbs led us to a slice of heaven on a sunny Paris Saturday, away from the maddening crowds.  Coulée verte René-Dumont (also referred to as La Promonade Plantee) is a hidden oasis among the buildings (sometimes going straight through the middle of buildings) that runs about 2 stories above the Paris streets.

Oasis in Paris, 2 stories up

This is the entry, no wonder it’s still a hidden gem


The smell was exquisite (until we decided to 
doff the shoes and socks for a km or so)


The streets below are stunning



Just build around the path why don’t you?


La Promonade was our relief from a day of crowds, rally’s, protest and a little chaos.  And it was all fun, from the political rally as we headed for the train, to the crazy crowds at Sacré-Coeur and Galeries Lafayette, the stunning streets and buildings as we ambled our way down, and even the Legalise Canabis protest with a marching band and free samples.  Phew, what a day…now where are the cookies?

Thanks to those who recommended Sacre Coeur, and warned us about
the climb and the people

Worth the climb

Crowd in the square at Sacre Coeur.  The wait to get in looked to be 2+ hours

We didn’t wait

Rooftop at Galeries Lafayette 

Important dude who’s probably dead now



Why did it have a windmill in the first place?



By the way, we have a few tips for those who may be planning a trip to Italy in the future based on stuff we’ve picked up that wasn’t obvious from other research we’ve done (or was just plain wrong). 

10 tips for planning Italy can be found https://corksdrivel.blogspot.com/p/a-few-tips-that-may-help-when-youre-in.html

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An idiots reflections of Italy…

Image
Tomorrow we depart Italia after 20 wonderful days.  At this point I felt it was important to share my deep (not really), thoughtful (doubtful) and insightful (cmon Corks, you’re just taking the piss now) reflections with all you seasoned travellers. A few hours in Milan before we head for Paris via Switzerland (or Sweden, something starting with an “S” anyway) Driving in Italy  I could write an entire blog on this, however let me just point out a few key suggestions: Don’t bother with a Sat Nav - they rarely work and when they do they send you through farm paddocks, one way streets, and towns that you’re not allowed to enter. Find a navigator who can distinguish and articulate left from right. Find a driver who can distinguish which side of the road to drive on, and how wide his car is. Get a small car…a  really small car.  Streets are small, buses and trucks are big, you do the math. Moped or motorbike is about the size we’re talking here, however if you do go that ...
Read more

Ahhhh, Venice ❤️

Image
Another day, another stunning Italian vista.  We’ve fallen in love with Venice already and only been here a few hours.  A bit of rain has helped keep people off the streets and freshened up the town as we lazily explore despite the damp. Venice, made famous of course, by James Bond’s “Moonraker”, is everything I had hoped.  I wasn’t prepared for the volume of gondolas, seriously there are freaking hundreds and traffic jams in every canal! However the tiny streets and canals, bridges and buildings are delightful to get lost in.  Top floor yellow building is our Venice home Our apartment is huge, and right next to Rialto Bridge 30 mins, €100, and 30 foot covered…. Famously where James Bond drove his hydrofoil-enabled gondola to escape Drax’ henchmen Antonio Vivaldi was Master of the Violin, a composer, a Choir Master, and a priest.  Everyone knows his “Four Seasons”, but he also has a number of other notable violin concertos to his credit.  He lived and worke...
Read more

Our Villa in Tuscany

Image
 Well, not really our Villa, but we can pretend for a little while can’t we?  After the hustle and bustle of Roma where we averaged 30,000 steps and a little under 20km a day, Bagno Vignoni in the Val d’Orcia region in Tuscany is the epitome of serenity.  The plan for the next few days is rest and relaxation.  Oh, and food and vino.  Though that will surprise no one reading this blog.  And a few words on driving in Italia…they are all batshit crazy!  Bad enough they put the bloody steering wheel on the wrong side of the car, but then they make you drive on the wrong side of the road as well (at least I did when I remembered; my scared shitless passenger may attest to me forgetting on the odd occasion). 160km on the Autostrade with everyone weaving in and out is an adventure only remembered over strong alcohol.  Doing my George Cluney impression  Zoro says hi Rob On the way we stopped off at the hillside fort town of Montapulcino. Another awes...
Read more