Just moments from the bustling Boulevard Périphérique, Paris’s traffic-choked ring road, a quiet transformation is taking place. The Petite Ceinture, a disused circular railway line encircling the French capital, has found new life as a network of green spaces, offering Parisians tranquil trails, vibrant shared gardens, and flourishing urban farms.
Built along the route of the Thiers wall, Paris’s last defensive barrier, the 20-mile railway was initially constructed to supply goods and passengers within the city. However, with the expansion of Paris’s modern Métro system, the Petite Ceinture gradually fell into disuse, closing entirely in the late 1980s. Since 2006, Paris and the railway’s owner, SNCF Réseau, have jointly revitalized approximately 4.5 miles of this historic infrastructure, with plans to open an additional 2.5 miles by 2026.
Diverse sections with unique identities
Each stretch of the Petite Ceinture reflects the distinct character of its surrounding arrondissement. In the 12th arrondissement’s quiet Bel-Air neighborhood, carefully maintained pathways blend harmoniously with allotments tended by local residents. Contrastingly, the northern 19th arrondissement hosts La Gare-Le Gore, a lively club occupying a former railway station, known for its vibrant jazz and techno nights.
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The busiest and most polished area lies in the 15th arrondissement between Pont du Garigliano and Parc Georges Brassens, echoing the aesthetic of New York’s famous High Line. Here, a converted railway station houses Voie 15, a popular restaurant and coworking space bustling with joggers and young professionals.
A haven for biodiversity amidst urban Paris
One of the primary goals of rewilding the Petite Ceinture is to reintroduce biodiversity into the urban environment. The lush stretch between Avenue du Général Leclerc and Rue Didot in the 14th arrondissement, for instance, now supports nearly 250 plant and animal species, including a winter colony of pipistrelle bats, foxes, and hedgehogs. In the affluent 16th arrondissement, the railway line has evolved into a thriving woodland featuring hazel, blackthorn, gooseberries, viburnum, and buddleia, inviting residents to experience nature’s seasonal rhythms and muddy trails—a rare treat in a city known for its manicured parks.
Community-focused green spaces thrive
Alongside its ecological rejuvenation, the Petite Ceinture nurtures vibrant grassroots community projects. La REcyclerie, located near Porte de Clignancourt, exemplifies this synergy, combining an urban farm and eco-centre with community-focused events. Marie-Eugénie Chanvillard, eco-cultural project manager, emphasizes its importance: “In a very dense neighbourhood with few green spaces, it seems important to let nature reclaim its rights and help agriculture in the city.”
Similarly, La Ferme du Rail, positioned near the fashionable Canal de l’Ourcq, pairs urban agriculture with social enterprise. It provides accommodations for students and disadvantaged individuals re-entering employment, who cultivate produce in raised beds along the old tracks. This fresh harvest is delivered just metres away to their on-site restaurant, Le Passage à Niveau.
Paris’s evolving relationship with nature
Traversing the various sections of the Petite Ceinture, it’s clear that this revitalized space is not just a sanctuary for nature but a significant social asset, catering to diverse community needs—from tranquil walks and leisure activities to cultural enrichment and social support initiatives.
As the city continues to expand access to these rewilded tracks, Parisians are offered a valuable escape from urban stress, enabling them to engage directly with nature without leaving the capital. The Petite Ceinture thus represents a remarkable urban renewal effort, redefining the boundaries between city life and natural ecosystems.
