Bercy

I have rather lived in the western part of Paris and have not so regularly and closely visited the more eastern parts. I have recently taken the time to stroll around a bit behind the Place de la Bastille with three different posts (1, 2, 3) and here is a fourth one, more or less touching the same area.

If from the Bastille you walk eastwards along the Seine (here open for walking, biking and roller skating), you will reach the Bercy area. Once you have passed

- the very modern Ministry of Finance with its “feet” in the water,
- the Bercy Bridge - with two double lanes for traffic, a viaduct in the middle for the metro and biking lanes under the viaduct - and
- the relatively new grass covered Palais d’Omnisport – the biggest indoor arena in Paris with a capacity of some 18.000 –

you will again find a quite new park, Parc de Bercy. Paris is getting greener and greener.

This was still in the 70’s a large area of wineries with paved lanes and rails connecting with the riverside. I remember having then made a few more or less professional visits here. During the 90’s the whole area has been transformed into a large park. Some old trees, paved lanes and buildings have been preserved.

You can today find a lot space for picnics, some nice basins and a “waterfall”, one of Paris’ vine yards, different garden types….and also the Cinémathèque Française in a modern building which used to be the American Center (closed for lack of funds). I will revert later this week to one particular thing which you find on the top of the “waterfall”.

By a large new wooden pedestrian bridge, you can reach the other Seine riverside, where for the moment a second Paris Beach (Paris Plages) is installed and a large swimming pool is floating in the river. It also offers an easy access to the new National Library, to a huge cinema centre… In the extreme east of the garden there is a “village”, where some of the wine merchant buildings have been saved and transformed into shops, cafés and restaurants. You have here again direct access to a large cinema centre and to Paris’ most recent metro line (station Cour St.Emilion). Around the park there are some newly built apartment houses with a nice view.

You can find the original photos from this post on my other blog, "Peter - photos".