Les Berges de Seine – Breathing Room in Paris
THIS is the place to go for a breath of fresh(er) air in Paris. A long stretch of asphalt offers Parisians a bike path dotted with a myriad of other things to do and see. There is even a Vélib station in the middle ofthe quai. There are places for kids to play (with adult supervision provided by you), there are tables for checkers and other boards games integrated so you can pick-nick and play at the same time, there are plenty of plants and foliage and flowers to make your stroll pretty, there are cafés, and benches and views… and there is space, room, a rare luxury in Paris.
So often we are smushed together in the metro, on the buses, even on the small sidewalks there is often little room to pass eachother comfortable. You know, if you live here, what it’s like to receive someone slamming into your shoulder as the “brush” past. They don’t do so lightly here. And it gets even worse when it rains. All those umbrellas are literally weapons.
The Berges de Seine reminds me of what Henri IV did for Paris. He was the first to have the river banks turned into strolling grounds for Parisians. Thanks Henri the 4th for being the first to offer Paris the fantastic river views and the chance to stretch our legs beyond the frantic city sidewalks.
There is an absolute delight in finding a place where there is room to stretch your arms, (especially for kids) and swerve your bike a little and feel almost like your were on a boardwalk somewhere on the West Coast…
It’s little things like this that make all the difference sometimes.
Bring your own checkers!
Bring your own kids!
The perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon, escaping the tourist crowds at the museums.
Merci infiniment pour cette jolie ballade ! It’s wonderful to catch a little glimpse of a sunny afternoon along the Seine.
With pleasure hmunro!
I’m an addict. Love running down there!