Mingle with athletic types who brave the cold Paris winter temperatures. Along Paris' Left Bank is where at one time the sounds of car horns were common, but since Summer 2013 the soundscape has changed. Today this 2.3km stretch is where you can hear a harmony of the ding-a-ling-ling of a bicycle bell alongside the din of conversations from a mix of tourists and locals who harmoniously glide through this urbanised, yet wild space.
Whichever the season, and it's great for a bracing autumn walk, it's a space that has been reconquered from the swell of car traffic, allowing people to get together smack in the centre of Paris and chill out, longboard, stroll, keep fit, picnic. Historically, Paris is famous for having 37 bridges along its river Seine. And this new artisanal urban project gives us the chance to appreciate five of them from their bellies.
The bridges are also a series of access points to get down along the 2.3km pathway of Voies sur Berges. Featuring Pont Alma, which although isn't pretty is really solid looking. Pont Invalides has decorative stone features. Pont Alexandre III is adorned with a two-tone scheme of pure-white against a shocking-jade.
My favourite is Pont Concorde which on a really sunny afternoon comes to life with reflections of the Seine dancing on its belly. Wind-up at Pont Royale and you're in good proximity to pay a visit to Musee de Louvre.
Find your way with 168 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Espace Niemeyer" in Paris is home to the French Communist Party, but also a space dedicated to artistic expression and creative architecture...
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"Clos Montmartre" is one of five remaining vineyards in central Paris! Their presence dates back to the 10th century...
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"Cimetière du Montparnasse" is not only a cemetery but also one of Paris' biggest green spaces. Many world-famous people are buried here, too...
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The "Beaupassage" in Paris is just as much a space dedicated to food as it is to nature and art. It's a 10,000 m² courtyard completed in 2018...
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"Le Réservoir de Montsouris" is the biggest water reservoir in Paris. It's a truly impressive structure that's more than 150 years old...
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"Librairie Galignani" in Paris is a bookshop with a long history and is without a doubt one of the city's most beautiful!
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"La Ferme d’Alexandre" is a cheeseshop like no other in Paris. With their over 350 types of cheeses, they've made it all the way to the Elysée Palace...
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"Théâtre de La Huchette" in Paris is known for its Spectacle Ionesco, which has hosted performances of the famous Romanian playwright since 1957...
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The "Promenade Plantée" in Paris is a 4.5-km corridor that's 10m above ground that will take you from the Place de la Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes...
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"La Mouette Rieuse" in Paris is an atypical bookshop. I like it because of the books & gadgets one can find there. I always find it surprising & joyful!
The neighbourhood of Ourcq in Paris hosts the Ourcq Living Colors Festival every year. The street art pieces change annually, so come see what's new!
The "Swiss Cultural Centre" in Le Marais, Paris is a welcome change of pace from the global brands surrounding it, a jewel of foreign culture in the city.
168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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