The other day I took a rather long leisurely walk. I took 'our' métro (#8) almost to the end at the other side of Paris, and then walked nearly around the southern part of the city, following the new tram tracks. During that walk, I came across a former elevated railroad which is now disused and has been turned into a path/ecological area, right on the edge of the city. It is difficult to read the fine print or see the map, but the information indicates that this "Small Belt of the 15th arrondissement" is part of the city's growing reclamation of space from train tracks. Instead, they are simply allowing plants to grow as they wish. One sign indicated that three 'salaried' (full-time employees) are employed to look after this long trail daily.
Unlike another former elevated rail road (in a more wealthy part of the city), this one is not carefully planted, with waterways, flowers, etc. Here we have only a long packed-stone path which still retains the railroad ties, and along the way, trees have either been planted or allowed to grow. The result is a lovely green belt.
I liked this portion of the trail, where one track moves off to the left and downhill to the former industrial sites below the elevated tracks, while the other progresses at its elevated level.
I did not start at the beginning of the trail, so I only know that the path extends at least 10.75 kms. That's impressive in the midst of one of the world's major cities.
Every now and then, along the way, one can see through the thick tree foliage and be reminded that, yes, we are in the midst of a major city that is absolutely packed with condos and apartments inhabited by thousands of people who will never know what it is like to have a small plot of land to cultivate. But they can go walking on this elevated path.
Train tracks and their walls have been targets of graffiti artists for decades, likely ever since spray paint cans were invented. This stretch has some interesting 'art', usually highly stylized tags or signatures. Many people hate them, but I find the individualism interesting (of course it's not my property).
I was amused to see one lone poppy in the midst of everything else. I wonder if more poppies will appear. It would be great to have an elevated field of poppies.
I'm not sure how mothers with strollers managed these stairs, but the ascent would have discouraged all but the most determined.
This shows the end of the developed pathway (there is a fence blocking off the tunnel, to be continued?) Sturdy stairs take us back to the street level in this hilly part of Paris.
An elevator is being added, which will enable mothers with strollers and others easy access to the 10+kms of pathway.
I forgot to include a photo of a former station, or at least that's what I assume it was. I could not get close enough to examine things.
The day was on the cool side, obviously cloudy, so I enjoyed the 8 km (?) walk. I ended up at the Bistro Porte d'Orée, where we had a wonderful dinner with the Bloughs and Philippe Gonzales, from Geneva, who will be hosting us for dinner there next week Friday.
Well, all for now, with love from us both,
Evan
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