Best for
Walkers, anyone wanting a quiet, local alternative to crowded parks
Time needed
45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much of the route you walk
Worth it?
Yes — a genuinely pleasant, under-the-radar Paris experience
Skip if
You have no interest in a longer walking route and limited time
About Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte René-Dumont)
Opened in 1993 on the former Vincennes railway line, disused since 1969, the Promenade Plantée — officially renamed Coulée Verte René-Dumont in 2013 — was the first project anywhere to convert an elevated rail viaduct into a public park, predating and directly inspiring New York's better-known High Line by nearly two decades.
The route runs 4.7 kilometres from close to Opéra Bastille out toward the Bois de Vincennes, with its most striking stretch elevated roughly 10 metres above street level atop the Viaduc des Arts, whose arches below house artisan workshops and galleries — meaning the park sits directly above a functioning creative-industry retail strip, a genuinely elegant piece of adaptive reuse.
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Planted with roses, lavender, bamboo and climbing vines along its length, the elevated section offers an unusual vantage point over the surrounding rooftops and streets of the 12th arrondissement, before descending back to ground level and continuing through the Jardin de Reuilly and toward the Bois de Vincennes at its far end.
Far quieter than the city's major parks, and free at all times, it's a genuinely pleasant, low-key walk for anyone wanting to see a less touristed slice of Paris, particularly appealing to visitors who've enjoyed similar elevated parks elsewhere.
What to See: Highlights
- 1The world's first elevated rail-to-park conversion, predating New York's High Line
- 24.7 kilometres running from Bastille toward the Bois de Vincennes
- 3The Viaduc des Arts, with artisan workshops and galleries beneath the walkway
- 4Roses, lavender and climbing vines planted along the elevated stretch
- 5A quiet, free, genuinely local alternative to Paris's more crowded parks
Insider Tips
Access via the stairs on the east side of Place de la Bastille for the classic starting point
It's free and rarely crowded — a good antidote to busier central sights
Browse the artisan workshops in the Viaduc des Arts arches beneath the walkway
An accessible ramp is available near the Jardin de Reuilly for those who can't use stairs
Combine with a visit to the nearby Bois de Vincennes if you walk the full route
Getting There
11 Avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris
Open in Google Maps →- 1Metro 1, 5 or 8 to Bastille, then take the stairs on the east side of Place de la Bastille to access the elevated walkway. Metro 1 to Gare de Lyon or Porte Dorée also work at other points along the route.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte René-Dumont) worth visiting?+−
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Is Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte René-Dumont) included with the Paris city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You enjoy elevated parks or urban rail-to-trail conversions
- You want a quiet, local walking route away from the crowds
- You're interested in artisan workshops in the Viaduc des Arts
- You have an hour or two free in the 12th arrondissement
Skip if...
- You're not interested in a longer walking route
- Your itinerary doesn't extend to the 12th arrondissement
- You're very short on time this trip
