Cimetière du Père Lachaise walks

A stroll through the 20th and 19th arrondissements of Paris, taking in their diverse neighbourhoods. We cross Ménilmontant, roughly following the old Petite Ceinture railway line, then take a look at the old Belleville aqueduct. The neighbourhood around Rue de la Mouzaïa reveals its sloping streets lined with small houses decorated with flowers. We finish at the edge of the Bassin de la Villette and the Canal Saint-Denis.

A south-north crossing of the 11th and 20th arrondissements of Paris, in search of animal representations. Several alleys and passageways bear witness to the former presence of numerous workshops in these neighbourhoods.

An urban route that favours alleys, passageways and public gardens, in search of 19th and 20th century heritage.

A visit to the highest-altitude cemetery within Paris city limits, which boasts a rich variety of plant life and is home to the graves of several notable figures. A monument within the cemetery and a church outside it evoke a painful episode in the history of the Paris Commune.

This urban route crosses the 20th arrondissement of Paris from north to south in search of animal representations. From Place des Fêtes to Place de la Nation via the charming Église de Charonne, you will mainly walk along quiet streets and a few pleasant passages and alleys.

Paris’s 3rd arrondissement offers an elegant, residential atmosphere. An old neighbourhood, with narrow streets and hidden courtyards, it combines craft shops, art galleries and cultural institutions. Many of its green spaces reflect this historic neighbourhood with its majestic mansions: few playgrounds or lawns for sunbathing, but peaceful places to rest, rich in heritage.

A short walk through the Marais, which may take a little longer for a photographer… A detour via the National Archives (Hôtel de Soubise and its gardens) is possible, and indeed recommended. However, some parts of the gardens will be closed in 2025 due to building works.

The René Dumont greenway is built on the platform of the former railway line that ran from the Gare de la Bastille. After briefly following the Canal Saint-Martin before it flows into the Seine, you follow this green space through the city, first at a height and then at ground level or through short tunnels. The Jardin de Reuilly, Square Charles Péguy and the Friche Ferroviaire at the junction of the former Petite Ceinture line add to the charm of this route.

Paris’s 20th arrondissement is a working-class, lively and multicultural area. It is characterised by a high degree of social diversity and a strong artistic identity, with artists’ studios and alternative cultural venues. However, there are notable differences in atmosphere, urban layout and population between the north and south of the arrondissement. The cosmopolitan north of the arrondissement features a dense urban fabric, sloping streets, modest buildings and street art. It includes the Belleville and Ménilmontant neighbourhoods, with their relaxed, bohemian atmosphere. Here you’ll find one of Paris’s major parks, the Parc de Belleville, which offers a panoramic view of the capital, as well as peaceful little gardens.

In this first section of our "Brassens" walk, we first pass through the Belleville and Ménilmontant neighbourhoods, with their narrow streets, footpaths and stairways. Then, after crossing the symbol-rich Place de la République, we walk along the charming Canal Saint-Martin.