Paris Guide to the Outskirts of Paris

Things to Do in Paris 12th Arrondissement

Paris Guide to Exploring the Periphery - In recent decades, the Paris attractions in the 12th district located on the right bank of the River Seine have been significantly restored, especially in the areas of Cours-Saint-Emilion and Bercy, which now contain the French Ministry of Finances, the Bercy arena and Bercy Village.

Paris Guide Ideas - Discover Parc de Bercy

Parc de Bercy

Parc de Bercy is a group of three connected gardens and one of the most important parks in the city and Paris attractions. The park is serviced by Bercy and Cour Saint-Émilion Métro stations.

The gardens include the Romantic Garden, with fishponds and dunes; the Flowerbeds dedicated to plant life and the Meadows, an area of open lawns shaded by tall trees.

In the north-east of the park stands the former American Center designed by Frank Gehry, and on the raised terraces are the 21 sculptures of Rachid Khimoune's "Children of the World" installation, created in 2001 to honour children's rights.

The area used to be an important location for Paris vineyards, and some remains of the industry can still be seen in the park.

Bercy Bridge near Bercy Village

Paris Guide Ideas - Dine, Dance and Stroll Around Bercy Village

Bercy Village is located next to the Parc de Bercy and the Seine. This village provides you with a taste of the French countryside, with small wine warehouses from the late 19th Century that have been saved from decay and converted into shops and restaurants and a wonderful site of Paris attractions.

When I discovered Bercy Village, I was amazed that such a delightful getaway existed in Paris. If you want to see where the Parisians dine, dance and hang out when they want to relax, make sure to plan a day or evening in Bercy Village.

A visit to Bercy Village brings to life the spirit of market shopping inside Paris.

Ride the Ligne 14 Métro train to Cour Saint-Émilion. (This is the new "Météor" line between the Gare de Lyon and the Bibliothėque National de France.)

Simone de Beauvoir Footbride at the National Library of France

Simone de Beauvoir Footbridge

Paris Guide Ideas - Take a Walk Over the Famous Simone de Beauvoir Footbridge

The park is linked directly to the National Library of France by the Simone de Beauvoir footbridge over the Seine.

Jardin Yitzhak Rabin is nestled in the centre of the Parc Bercy and is a lovely, and truly peaceful, garden with several waterworks and other high-quality landscape-art pieces.

The Musée des Arts Forains is also located here.

The 12th arrondissement is one of the largest of the city's districts and contains the train station Gare de Lyon.

This will likely be your point of entry to Paris if you are coming from Switzerland, Italy, or the south of France.

The second largest Paris opera house, the Opéra de la Bastille, inaugurated in 1989, on the 200th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille is also in the 12th district, shared by the 4th and 11th arrondissements.

There are so many additional things to see in Paris 12th arrondissement.

Paris Guide Ideas - Visit Bois de Vincennes

Bois de Vincennes Park

The Bois de Vincennes - originally a hunting preserve for the kings of France, made into a public park by Napoleon III in 1860.

Château de Vincennes - the Medieval Castle in the Park

Paris Guide Ideas - Château de Vincennes

At the north end of the Bois de Vincennes stands the Château de Vincennes, which used to be a favorite second home for many 14th century kings.

Also on the edge of Bois de Vincennes is Palais de la Porte Dorée, an amazing Art Deco building built for the 1931 Colonial Exhibition and houses an Aquarium and an Immigration Museum.

Paris Guide Ideas - Stroll in The Port of Arsenal Harbour

The Bassin de l'Arsenal (also known as the Port de l'Arsenal) is a lovely harbour and one of the great Paris attractions.

Port of Arsenal Which Links the Canals in Paris

The Port of Arsenal links the Canal Saint-Martin, which begins at the Place de la Bastille, to the Seine, at the Quai de la Rapée.

A portion of the Parisian Canal Network forms part of the borderline between the 12th arrondissement of Paris and the 4th.

Paris Attractions - Palais Omnisport in Bercy

Palais Omnisports de Paris

Palais Omnisports de Paris in Bercy is an indoor sports arena.

A number of championships and tournaments are hosted here and the complex is also a venue for live concerts and the filming of DVDs by well known stars.