Viaduc des Arts
The Viaduc des Arts is in the 12th Arrondissement in Paris and runs from the Opéra Bastille to the Jardin de Reuilly. It is a part of an abandoned railway area now restored and revitalised.
The viaduct contains 64 arches, which now house shops, craft workshops and galleries, cafes and restaurants.
There are violin and cello restorers, umbrella makers, porcelain and jewellery artisans, shops sellingembroidery work, stores specialising in furniture restoration.
I would love a silk umbrella, but not at €650!
Photograph of restaurant in the Viaduc des Arts by David McSpadden, sourced from Wikimedia Commons, with thanks
The shops are open on Sundays so this is a good weekend excursion.
Above, on the old railway proper, is the world’s first elevated park, the Promenade Plantée. So you can walk and shop, shop and walk.
Getting There
The nearest stations are Bastille on line 1, 5 and 8 (near the Bastille opera house) and Montgallet (line 8) or Dugommier (line 6) (at the eastern end of the viaduct, near the Jardin de Reuilly). You can also walk to the Reuilly entrance from the Gare de Lyon and the Gare de Paris-Bercy.
Photograph of the start of Viaduc des Arts by Tangopaso, sourced from Wikimedia Commons, with thanks
Photograph of an atelier by LPLT, sourced from Wikimedia Commons, with thanks
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