Château de Saint-Ouen walks

A journey through the northern districts of Paris in a new light, with the old Petite Ceinture railway line as a common thread. The many flower-filled passages, squares and gardens allow us to forget the hustle and bustle of the capital for a while.

Until the advent of the railway, fishmongers brought fish to Paris from the ports of the North Sea and the English Channel in horse-drawn convoys. Their route through Paris, as far as Les Halles, has left its mark in the names of a number of lanes that this urban itinerary more or less follows, with a few detours through streets and alleyways that deserve it.

A walk from station to station around Villeneuve-la-Garenne, along the Seine and then to Île Saint-Denis via the park’s water sports centre, passing by the Chantereine Farm (visiting hours are in the afternoon only); a walk without too much distance or elevation gain.

An itinerary almost entirely surrounded by greenery in a densely urbanised area! The circular paths within the park are complemented by a walk along the banks of the Seine. The charming Jardin Ombre et Lumière (Shadow and Light Garden) and the reed beds of the lake are sure to delight enthusiasts.

This walk takes us in the footsteps of famous men and women, through the cemeteries of Clichy, Asnières and Levallois. The route is flat and is covered at a moderate pace to allow time to locate the graves, which can sometimes be difficult to find.

Starting from one of the masterpieces of Gothic art in Île-de-France, the Basilica of Saint-Denis, this urban route crosses a vast park where lawns alternate with flowerbeds, woodland and lakes. There is a commemorative aspect to the commune of Le Bourget, which was the scene of fierce fighting in 1870–1871.

The first stage of this urban journey consists of two distinct sections. The first section, the historical trail, invites us to trace the passage of time from the legend of Saint-Denis and the city’s origins right up to the 21st century, with the help of some twenty richly documented information points. Next, we follow the Canal Saint-Denis along its pedestrian quay back to Paris.

The 17th arrondissement of Paris is distinguished by its great urban and social diversity. The eastern part of the arrondissement combines working-class neighbourhoods with areas undergoing regeneration. Formerly a railway and industrial area, it has undergone significant recent transformation, notably with the Clichy-Batignolles eco-neighbourhood. Martin Luther King Park exemplifies this urban regeneration, designed according to ecological principles. But visitors also appreciate the charm of the Square des Batignolles or the Square des Épinettes, with their typical 19th-century landscape, or the tranquillity of the Square de la Villa Sainte-Croix.

The 17th arrondissement of Paris is distinguished by its great urban and social diversity. The western part of the arrondissement is more residential and middle-class than the east, with the Ternes and Monceau neighbourhoods. It is characterised by varied architecture ranging from Haussmann-style buildings to contemporary blocks. Well-served by public transport, it combines Parisian traditions with modernity. The western part of the arrondissement offers two long walks and around twenty green spaces, including picturesque gardens such as the Square Saint-Odile and the undulating Jardin Claire Motte.

An approximate north-south crossing of the 17th and 8th arrondissements of Paris in search of animal representations. The architectural styles evolve throughout the route. The crossing of Parc Monceau offers a slice of greenery.