La Petite Ceinture: Paris’s Charming Abandoned Railway Track

By Ann Binlot December 23, 2016

Petite Ceinture

Paris is a city full of wonders.

It has the usual tourist destinations like the iconic Eiffel Tower, which was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. There’s also the gothic masterpiece, the Notre Dame de Paris, which sits on the Ile de la Cite in all its glory, one of the first structures to use flying Buttresses. Then there’s the museums — we can go on and on about this, from the Impressionist-filled Musée d’Orsay, to the Mona Lisa’s home, the Musée du Louvre to the contemporary art haven, the Palais de Tokyo. And the parks, from Park Monceau to the glorious Jardin du Luxembourg.

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But did you know, that there’s a little-known hidden gem that surrounds Paris? It’s called the Petite Ceinture (Little Belt), and at almost 20 miles long, the Petite Ceinture is a long abandoned train track that was built some 150 years ago around the periphery of Paris. In many ways, it’s like the High Line of Paris. The lush green space attracts flora and fauna of all sorts, and while it’s still far from being a fully developed park, the Petite Ceinture has several trails where you can get a moment of peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of Paris.

For a hip eatery along the Petite Ceinture, head to Le REcylerie, where you can sit outside along the Petite Ceinture. You can grab everything from a relaxing glass of wine to a coffee to energize you for the rest of the day. Go for a soups or salads if you want lunch and they also have a brunch menu as well. If you want to get away from the lights of Paris and have an experience that is tranquil, relaxing, and something that’s a little different from your typical Paris tourist experience, check out the Petite Ceinture, and see the greenery and charm away from the throngs of people in the City of Light.

For more information, visit en.parisinfo.com.

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