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
"Rue du Montparnasse" in Paris is THE place to be to try authentic French savory crêpes, aka galettes, just like they make them in Brittany.
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"Jardin Catherine-Labouré" in Paris was an orchard that belonged to the Filles de la Charité convent; today, it's the perfect place to take your kids!
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"Les Copains du Faubourg" with its English bulldog mascot makes a perfect egg & bacon roll that never fails to draw me in...
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"Maison POS" in Paris is a fruit & veg seller is focused on organic fresh produce. It's a pleasure pantry where you can discover local tastes!
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"Chez Antoine" in Paris is great any time of day! It's the kind of place they always remember my order - a Pizza Sicilienne usually...
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"La Kabane" in Paris is a go-to place of mine for citron, coconut, triple chocolate and granola cookies! I love their dog...
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"Refuge BD" in Paris is a local comic book or BD shop where I've been doing 'click & collect' during the lockdown...
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"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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168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
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