Coulée verte René-Dumont

Paris has a long history of repurposing buildings and structures to new uses.  Examples include the Louvre, once a palace and converted to a museum in 1793, and the Musée d'Orsay, once a train station and now an art museum since 1986.  

Another example is the Coulée verte René-Dumont, a raised garden walkway in the 12th arrondissement.   Coulée verte means green belt in French.  The walkway is named to honor French agronomist Rene Dumont.

The walkway, like the Highline in NYC, was once an elevated train line, built in 1859.  The line was closed in 1969 and later converted to a greenbelt in 1993.   The walkway is about 3 miles long and is lush and tranquil.  Let's take a walk together.

Along the way, there were many arbors to walk under and many places to sit and relax. 

There was even a pool flowing with very green water.

We also spotted some insect hotels located along the coulée verte to promote biodiversity.

Marie-Chantal standing next to a 5-star insect hotel

A Holiday Inn insect hotel

A Knight's Inn insect hotel

The walkway passes through former train tunnels and, like the Highline in NYC, between modern buildings.

The walkway is planted with many types of beautiful flowers.  

Marie-Chantal and Jean-Claude enjoying a walk along the coulée verte René-Dumont

Thanks for walking with us along the Coulée verte René-Dumont.

P.S.  One of the insect hotels had a sign on its door.

"A garden, even a small one, is the door to Paradise."