Parc de Bercy: A Green Oasis on the Seine Southeast of Paris

Today we take you to the 12th arrondissement, to a green corner off the beaten paths: yes, because Parc de Bercy in Paris is located in a more residential and quieter area compared to the more well-known and touristy parts of the City of Light; it will feel almost like strolling through a large private garden!

Metro (Line 14), get off at Cour St-Emilion or Bercy. Here we are in the Bercy neighborhood in Paris; we can reach the park in just a few minutes, entering from one of the entrances on:

Rue François-Truffaut, Rue de l'Ambroisie, Rue Paul Belmondo, Rue Joseph-Kessel.

Parc de Bercy borders the Seine in the 12th arrondissement; it is located between Gare de Lyon, the AccorHotels Arena, and Bercy Village-Cour Saint Emilion, where in the 19th century there were the old wine warehouses, among the most famous in all of Paris!

A fun fact: Parisians would come to drink wine at the numerous guinguettes (taverns) in the area and "having a Bercy fever" was a popular Parisian motto for getting drunk.

Soon it was decided to completely redevelop the neighborhood, and since then Bercy has taken on a completely new look. The old wine warehouses have been converted into a shopping and entertainment center, Bercy Village, yet even today there are hints of the past: architectures reminiscent of the old warehouses and cellars, the vineyard, the ancient tracks found in the park, and... it's up to you to discover more!

Parc de Bercy is known for its three very picturesque gardens, each with its own name and theme.

The park is very vast, but you can easily orient yourself by following the maps and signs found along the avenues and at the various entrances.

The garden that is furthest east, near Bercy Village. Start your walk by entering from the entrance on the Cour Saint-Émilion side: you'll come across a small lake, aquatic plants, ducks, fish, oaks, and willows.

Here you'll also find the Maison du Lac, a former wine cellar now hosting exhibitions on garden and plant art, the statue "Demeure X" in a pond surrounded by water lilies, and the "philosophers' garden."

Two walkways that cross Rue Joseph Kessel allow you to pass into the "Parterres," the garden dedicated to activities related to plants and gardening.

The central part of the park includes an orchard, a vegetable garden, a "fragrance garden," a beautiful rose garden, and a vineyard that was planted to commemorate Bercy's winemaking past.

Here you'll find the Maison du Jardinage that resembles a wooden country house with a garden and a large greenhouse, where workshops and botany courses are held - if you have a green thumb, you can come and pick up some tricks of the trade!

This area is shaded by century-old trees and has huge lawns, ideal for playing, strolling, or enjoying a bit of relaxation: at the foot of the former Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy (currently the AccorHotels Arena), it's not hard to witness an impromptu soccer game or see gatherings of skaters and rollerbladers!

A few minutes walk and you'll arrive at the Cinémathèque, and by crossing the Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge over the Seine, you'll reach the François Mitterrand Library.

A visit to Parc de Bercy is not complete without taking a selfie with the sculptures of children from around the world, by French artist Rachid Khimoune. There are 21 bronze sculptures, all adorably representing the respect for children's rights.

Remember that you can also reach Parc de Bercy by hop-on hop-off bus: by choosing the yellow line route, you can get off at the Gare de Lyon stop; an audio guide in Italian is available on board.

With the same combined ticket (valid for 2 or 3 days), you can get on and off as you like, both from the sightseeing bus and the cruise boat on the Seine!

A shopping center, a very unique museum, and an arena for events...

Following the park along Quai de Bercy, you arrive at Rue François Truffaut where the entrance to Bercy Village is located, a large open-air shopping center that hosts around thirty shops, cafés, and bistros perfect for a Parisian aperitif and international restaurants. Especially on weekends, exhibitions and cultural and musical events are scheduled.

For a wine tasting, go to "Chai 33," a restaurant with a cellar. The fusion menu is exquisite, and the highlight is the cellar where you can choose your wine together with the sommelier.

Bercy Village is the ideal place to shop and dine late into the night, with all the charm of the past linked to the history of Parisian wine! It's also open on Sundays.

Historical rides, restored and operational, old-style stalls, carousels, swings, billiards, and vintage bicycles await you. It is among the most unusual and particular museums in Paris!

The Paris Cinema Museum: here you will find projectors, cameras, and cinema equipment from all over the world, and major masterpieces are also scheduled to be screened in three rooms.

A huge arena for events with a mega system! It hosts pop-rock concerts, equestrian shows, skiing, and over 150 sports and music events each season.

From April 30 to August 31, 2018, it is open from 08:00 AM to 09:30 PM

From September 1 to December 30, 2018, it is open from 08:00 AM to 08:30 PM

Looking for a hotel in the Bercy neighborhood of Paris? In our selection of Ibis hotels in Paris, you can consider the Ibis Styles Paris Bercy Hotel.

Parc de Bercy is a short walk from the AccorHotels Arena, the Cinémathèque française, and Bercy Village.

41 Rue Paul Belmondo

Neighborhood: Bercy

Bercy

24 - 87