(Last Update: 11.09.2024) Do you like railways? Who doesn't love it? What about walking on the railways or even lying on the rails like me? No no, don't be afraid, I'm not after adrenaline; In this article, I would like to introduce you to another hidden beauty of Paris: The Little Belt (la petite senture or la petit sentüğğ)
In the years when I first settled in Paris, an abandoned railway line I had heard that it was, but I couldn't figure out where it was because there wasn't enough information on the internet at that time. Always here and there I was coming across the news and photos thinking there was one, but I couldn't fully master the subject; finally 2016 In the autumn, I understood what was what, I got up and made my discovery, and then I wanted you to be aware of La Petite Ceinture by sharing what I learned in this article.
La Petite Ceinture, 19th century The surroundings of Paris in the middle of today's périphérique – peripheral It was formed by the construction of a railway line that wraps around. Paris 12 at that time boroughfrom 20 boroughWhen it was increased to 1.000 m and grew, that is, its borders expanded and it became known in its current meaning. Grand Paris dead.
This line I told you about to connect the new borders of Paris at that time, that is, The Little Belt created. In the 21st century too Grand Paris The work has started with the implementation of the new version of the project, which will surround the enlarged new Paris. Grand Paris ExpressThus, we can better understand the purpose for which it was made. So history is just repeating itself.
La Petite Ceinture “Small BeltWe can translate it as " but I prefer "Small Ring" I want to say because this railway line will pass very little within the current borders of Paris. périphérique – peripheral It forms a ring all around.
The Little Belt 1934Starting from new metro ve RER With the opening of the lines, it gradually began to fall out of use because it was no longer needed. Lastly too 1993It is almost completely disabled in . I say “almost completely” because very little of it is still available today. RER-CIt is actively used on the route of .
Well for us Why is Petite Ceinture important?? because part of this line Nowadays, albeit in fragments sightseeing and hiking trail It is used as. You can find the locations and entrance points of this walking path and recreation area, which you can only visit at certain points around Paris, on the map in the official web page link at the end of the article.
I did not see all of the navigable sections, because I did not go to the areas where all of them were. That's why in this article, I will only share the information and impressions of the places I have visited. You can add new and different memories to your life by exploring other parts and share your experiences and impressions with us.
Then, if you wish, you can explore La Petite Ceinture on the 16th day. boroughLet's start from . M9 metro When you get off at La Muette station using the line and walk up the street to the right of the newsstand and pharmacy you will see, you will see the cafe-restaurant today. The Train StationYou will see .
I always guessed that this used to be a station building, but I couldn't figure out which old line it was, turns out it belonged to La Petite Ceinture :) The Train Station It deserves to be the subject of a separate article, but if you wish, let's continue on the right side of this restaurant for now and enter the small park right behind it.
If we walk a little further, we will see a sign stating that we have reached the head of La Petite Ceinture. Here we go through that door and this is where we are parisian We step into a completely different world, outside the neighborhood.
The path you enter seems like a normal walking track at first. It is lush green depending on the season, and the leaves of the trees have different colors depending on the season; If it's winter, of course it's drier. Then, as the road slowly starts to go down, you realize that you are on an old railway track, but there is still no real railway. Although this may seem a bit disappointing, such a soft start It's still nice to do.
I'm the only one in Paris Bastillestarting from Bois de Vincennescontinuing until Promenade Plantée – Coulée Verte I thought it was such an old railway, but it turned out that there was actually this La Petite Ceinture and it was much more impressive.
"There are so many things to discover in Paris," one wonders as he walks through the greenery and surrounding buildings, on an old railway route.
About 1,5 kilometers Then the road ends and you reach the street by going up the stairs on the left. where you reach Auteuil gate… Getting to the second part of the track from here is a bit complicated; Because it's not that close, but let me tell you anyway:
Walk to the right on the street you come out of, continue by always turning right in the square you reach, and then walk up. A little further on the left, across the road PC1 numbered public bus It has a stop, get on that bus and get off at its last stop, Hôpital Européen, where Ballon de Pariswhere Parc André-Citroën there is. You can take a stop from here if you wish. T3 tram You can take a ride, or if you wish, you can walk to the next station, Balard.
Or another day M8 by metro Come to Balard, walk back from here, pass under the bridge you will see on the opposite side, then turn left. You can discover the second part of La Petite Ceinture. No lie, I loved this part especially. You go up and the path begins to the left. Here are the rails you dream of walking on...
These rails are going more and more. Feels like a train will come at any moment You feel it, but there is nothing like that, don't worry. That's why this is a very nice route for both walking and taking photos. of the article cover photo I've already taken many photos here, including:
Many people, young and old, children, athletes and wanderers, come and go on this line. This time Coulée Verte – Promenade Plantée As our road is above the ground, we also enjoy the pleasure of watching the buildings of Paris from a little above. We can either try to keep our balance on the wooden/dirt road or on the rails... Believe me, it's a lot of fun.
About 2 kilometers Then you come to a tunnel entrance. I don't know if this place will be open at any other time, but it was closed when we went, so we couldn't continue our walk any further. by elevator We went up and said “to real life” we are back.
If you exit the elevator and turn left, you will see a kindergarten "Ecole Maternelle". If you pass through the door on the right side as if you were entering the school and follow the road, you will continue to move forward like a path on the right side. When you finish that road, right in the left corner, you will see a park that is medium sized on the scale of Paris but still quite large and worth seeing. Parc Georges-Brassens It will come out, do not forget to go inside and wander around. Immediately after that, there was a school established only on weekends. Secondhand Books Bazaar – Le Marché du Livre Ancien Yes, if your trip falls on a weekend, it would be very enjoyable to go there and take a stroll.
Of course, La Petite Ceinture is not limited to this, there is a large part waiting to be discovered. As I said, you can access the map showing their entrances from the official web page link at the end of the article. Let me just add the Google Maps links at the end showing the entrances of the two regions that I have visited and that I recommend to visit, so that your work will be easier and your life will be better 😉
as a matter of fact Parc Georges-BrassenAfter visiting , we tried to explore a little more, but we were both tired and lost :) At least Montsouris ParkI intended to explore the part that goes next to , but I couldn't make it. Also Porte de Clignancourt'in The RecyclerieThere's a short section there; I saw it from above, but I never walked in the section where the rails are. Maybe you can act before me and see the parts that I haven't visited and share them with us?
Because life is better when shared...
Pleasant trips, pleasant discoveries.
Web address: petiteceinture.org/acceder-a-la-petite-ceinture
Address: 1- La Muette Entrance 2- Ballard Entrance
6 Comments
I forgot for a while, this is Little Kemer, after the trains were stopped, buses took their place. In fact, these lines were PC1, PC2 and PC3.
Part of these bus lines have been converted into trams, known as T3 and are being extended.
This tram passes through the surrounding streets of Paris, but originally the street competed with Küçük Kemer in the project.
Reportedly, since the Little Arch is owned by SNCF, the municipality chose to pass through the street in preference to the RATP, which runs the Paris metro, to distance it from the French railways.
Since the Little Belt does not block the driveway, the operating speed could be high (28km/h), however, the average operating speed of the T3 is very low, while the original 20km/h was expected, it started at 16km/h and was increased to 2017km/h in 18.
The profit is very low compared to the old bus, but of course the main choice of this choice was to facilitate connections with buses and subways.
This is the part you visit that is open to the public.
There are a few of them and unfortunately the Paris municipality is increasing their number.
Why unfortunately? Because this railway has turned into a wilderness because it is closed to the public, and the municipality is destroying this nature to open it to the public, trees are being cut down, concrete is being poured...
In other words, this ring belongs to the French railways (SNCF), a large part of it is closed to the public and dangerous (bridges, for example). Fans of this place enter and wander around illegally, but they are not the only ones. Dangerous people may also be encountered.
At this time, of course, it is forbidden to enter these closed sections and there is a fine: the railway police are on the move (Sûreté ferroviaire).
By the way, as with the Catacombes museum, the forbidden part of it, the limestone quarry of Paris, also called the Catacombes, is visited by some people. There is a penalty here and the danger is much higher, it is the same as the risk of death lost in the furnace!
While coming from La Muette station and walking towards La Gare, there is a French/Japanese patisserie called "Yamazaki" on the right side of the street. I advise!
Thank you very much for the recommendation, Mr. Vincent 😉
It was a very good article, we are waiting for the continuation. 🙂
Thank you very much sir 😉