Treat yourself to an unusual trip along the Petite Ceinture

When you think of Paris, the capital’s many famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe naturally spring to mind. But one of the charms of the City of Light is its ability to surprise you with a host of less well-known venues or even downright obscure attractions, each of which have a magic and a fascination of their own, and which definitely deserve to be a part of the itinerary of your visit. 

Paris: the city of a thousand walks

To enjoy every moment spent in Paris and have easy and convenient access to public transport links to take you wherever you wish to go, it’s important to select a hotel capable of fulfilling all your requirements. To enjoy high quality services and a strategic location close to the heart of Paris, the Hotel Sophie Germain should be your accommodation of choice. This fine establishment benefits considerably from a privileged location, enabling guests to move throughout the capital quickly and easily. This doesn’t just apply to public transport, either, as there are also some utterly charming scenic walks available in close proximity to the Hotel Sophie Germain. Not far away, one of the most refreshing strolls in the capital awaits your discovery: the Petite Ceinture (Little Belt). To explore a little known aspect of Paris which still retains the charm of the capital’s past, and illuminates a fascinating facet of its history, embark on this unusual, picturesque and seductive journey.

Stroll the Petite Ceinture and discover a hidden side of Paris

Besides its proximity to some of the most picturesque districts of Paris, such as Montmartre, the Hotel Sophie Germain is also an excellent starting point for a stroll to the Petite Ceinture. If you’ve ever been seduced by the majestic High Line linear park in New York, you’ll discover a similar level of excitement in following the route of this old railway line that once acted as a circular connection between the major railway stations of Paris.

Established in 1852 during the reign of Napoleon III, the Petite Ceinture had been mostly abandoned by the mid-1930s due in part to the popularity and convenience of the Metro, so that today it is a haven for a wide biodiversity of plants and animals. The cuttings, tunnels and bridges of the system, although reclaimed by nature in many places, are still available today for exploration by urban adventurers and anyone who enjoys a pleasant stroll amidst unusual surroundings. For your first venture into the Petite Ceinture, you might wish to take Balard Station as the starting point for your walk, as this gives access to a section of the route that is officially open to the public. Your journey will then take you through the bustling Parc Georges Brassens to Convention.

Embarking on this adventure from the Hotel Sophie Germain, you will see a side of Paris that is little known, forming a significant contrast to the more conventional type of tour of the capital, but one that has its own particular charms. Explore one of the hidden wonders of Paris. You now know what you have to do...

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Learn more:
• Information by the Safeguard Association
• Montmartre village

Hotel Sophie Germain, a charming 3* hotel on the left bank of Paris