The traditional Seine banks were in 1967 to a
large extent – fortunately not totally - replaced by an expressway (Voie
Pompidou), considered necessary for the increasing car traffic. Since then,
some efforts have been made to make the river again available for pedestrians,
bikers… who can use part of the expressway on Sundays and during a few summer
weeks, “Paris Plage” . This summer, some
transformations were made on the Right Bank (Rive Droite) to make part of it
available more permanently. There are projects for further modifications,
including on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche).
A sunny and
warm September day, I decided to check the “pedestrian availability” on the
Right Bank. On the plan you can see my walk, some 10 km (6 or 7 miles).
Before the
start of the red dotted line, the expressway offers hardly any space for
walkers – actually walking there is definitely not recommended.
Just after
the “Pont de Bir-Hakeim” you can start the walking…
… but
approaching the “Pont d’Alma” you must take some stairs and leave the bank
(yellow dotted line).
This gives
you the opportunity to see the favourite restaurant of the Paris professional
soccer players and the copy of the Flame of the Statue of Liberty, which has
become some kind of place of homage to Lady Diana who died in the tunnel below
now 15 years ago.
Crossing
the street and the bridge, you can again walk on the quays for quite a while…
… but when
you reach the end of the Louvre, the car traffic takes over….
… until you
reach more or less a point facing the edge of Ile Saint Louis, just after the
“Pont d’Arcole”. From this point, a lot of modifications have been done; the
space for pedestrians has been widened, traffic lights have been installed…
… and you
can continue to the entrance of the Canal Saint Martin. Actually,
you can cross the canal entrance by using a closed lock.
The walking
space gets then a bit narrow … and then again wider.
Reaching,
the “Pont de Bercy”, there is again a need for a short while to leave the
quay….
… but you
can find it again and continue on wide, a bit empty space. After the
“Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir”, the banks are still there, but it gets a bit
industrial, so I decided to stop the walk here. (… and I was thirsty.)
I have
referred to different bridges – I once made posts about all the Paris Seine
bridges, which you find here.
21 comments:
les bords de Seine, je me souviens quand j'etais a l'ecole sur paris, c'est sur les bords de seine que je venais secher mes cours ;)
This was something I wanted to do and when we were there in April, the weather was so miserable, we just didn't. Thanks for the comprehensive and excellent walking map. I know that will help lots of people (and someday, me!)
On a totally unrelated note, it looks like you may have passed by my lock! Made me smile!
Brings back memories of last summer, strolling under the bridges...which reminded me of the movie Ratatouille! Paris is evocative in so many ways.
Je suis très heureuse de vous retrouver après ces plusieurs semaines d'absence... je rentre à peine ! Et quel bonheur que d'admirer vos merveilleuses photos... J'ai bien regardé, non! je n'apparais sur aucune d'entre elles! Cela aurait pu arriver, à la mi-août je me trouvais à Paris. J'y ai passé une semaine à me promener. Des kilomètres et des kilomètres de marche... Je séjournais à Montmartre...
Merci pour ce merveilleux reportage.
Gros bisous
Bonjour Peter!
Great article with lots of information and beautiful images!
I think I would not take sunbath, laying down on the stoned floor. Certainly I would prefer the beautiful green grass like that one at the Tuileries Garden :)
Weather is changing here and I see some signs of Autumn, the color of green is changing!
hugs
Léia
Une belle et longue promenade, il y en a pour tous les goûts, je choisirais la promenade en bonne compagnie avec quelques haltes pour boire un petit coup et regarder de plus près ce qui se passe autour. Un joli récapitulatif que tu nous offres ici.
La remontée des fleuves est toujours un exercice difficile...l'idéal est d'avoir un bateau.
Oh, how I wish I were there. But no, I'm busy preparing my exhibition and it's making me crazier than usually! Wish me patience and luck!
Super.;-)
Je vois que Delphinium est levée à 09:11 !
Quelle belle balade tu nous offres là Peter. Voir les quais de la Seine sans bouger de chez moi, c'est super chouette. Faire la même chose sur les rives du Loir, me paraît assez difficile, et pourtant il faudrait que je marche.
Je me suis régalée de ce post. Merci.
Tu crois que je peux marcher de Montparnasse à St Lazare dans le temps qui m'est imparti.
Very nice walking, Peter.
Besos.
A 10km walk through Paris on a hot day - no wonder you needed a drink!
It does look a lot better from the Ile Saint Louis now.
ET que disent les automobilistes?
C'est certain, une promenade le long de la Seine est bien plus agréable sans voitures.
A great post, Peter! I almost felt I was there, walking with you. It seems so right that they have reinstated the walks along the Seine. Thank you for the walk and the photos.
Quelle ballade, Peter! Merci, et bravo. On s'y croirait... De beaux et bons souvenirs de Paris. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
I'm exhausted and must stop for wine. Only you could walk these distances Peter and never stop. I love walking along the Seine and I think we should do more of it! Put that on the list although it will be chilly.
V
Not only did you take us on this walking tour but you even showed us the map describing the spots where we would have to come up from the river. Do they allow bicycles along this route?
You truly captured a slice of Parisian life along the Seine and it looks totally different at the water's edge! Can't wait!
Bises
Genie
Thank you Peter for this fantastic tour!
Maria
an ambitious promenade
and an inspiring one!
merci carolg
Excellent post. Made my day to "walk" along the Seine with you.
Annie
my fave bridge so far would be the Pont de Alexandre. ^0^
i can't imagine "summer" and basking in the sun sur la seine. ^0^
the view's breathtaking either way.
glad you did this loong walk. ^0^
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