Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Owing to its proximity to Gare de Lyon, which opened Paris
to southern Europe and then to Africa, this has long been a
varied area, changing once again with the influx of young,
professional Parisians. Although housing blocks intrude on
the otherwise low-rise residential
quartier
, the neighbourhood
spirit persists.
Almost a secret in the eastern area of the
arrondissement
is the Allée Vivaldi, a hidden greensward surrounded by
modern offices and residences. Across an arched footbridge,
the open Jardin de Reuilly has gardens, playgrounds filled
with children and a grassy expanse; it too is surrounded by
pleasant, unobtrusive, modern housing. To the northwest
of the garden, connected by a footbridge, is the charming
Promenade Plantée, a landscaped, 4.5-km path on a
former elevated railroad bed. How welcome is this bucolic
promenade that originates at the Bastille and how interesting
the arched vaults below, now called the Viaduc des Arts!
Its galleries and artisans' ateliers draw visitors into what is
becoming a lively, upmarket area, despite its proximity to
the Gare de Lyon.
The
quartiers
of Picpus, Bel-Air and Daumesnil at
avenue de Saint-Mandé and below have long been a solid,
unpretentious, residential district. Increasingly as this area
is revitalised with new shops, offices and housing, it will be
even more in demand.
To the south, the former wine warehouse district of Bercy
was once isolated from the rest of Paris by the train yards of
the Gare de Lyon. No longer! Bercy, one of the dynamic
Grands
Projets
, is now one of the liveliest areas of the city, reached
easily by the high-speed
métro,
Météor. At one end of the
exquisite Parc de Bercy is Bercy Village, an attractive complex
that includes a long promenade of upmarket boutiques and
stylish restaurants, culminating in a huge cinema complex. At
the other end of the park, which incorporates ruins and old
plane trees into its varied modern landscaping landmarks, is
the Stade de Bercy, which is the venue for major sporting and
musical events. To the sides are commercial areas, both old
and modern apartments (many with balconies overlooking
the park), artists' studios and some hotels. This is one of
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