Country:
District:
Starting point and access: Porte d'Orléans.
- Metro - Line 4. Take the Avenue du Général Leclerc exit (odd numbers).
- Tram - Line T3a. Cross Boulevard Brune towards the centre of Paris and join Avenue du Général Leclerc on the right-hand side.
(S) Follow Avenue du Général Leclerc on the pavement on the odd-numbered side. Take the first right, Villa Virginie, a pretty cobbled street with the old Petite Ceinture railway line below on the left. At the end, cross Rue du Père Corentin and continue straight ahead on Rue Paul Fort. Cross Rue de la Tombe Issoire and continue along Avenue Reille, passing the impressive Montsouris Reservoir on your left.
(1) Take thefirst right, Square de Montsouris (a private road, but pedestrians are allowed). Note the charming houses lining this cobbled lane. At the end, turn right onto Rue Nansouty. Turn right and walk to the end of Rue Georges Braque (a dead end), then continue up Rue Nansouty. Take the next street on the right, Rue du Parc de Montsouris, which forms a U-shaped loop. At the end, continue straight ahead uphill, as Rue de Nansouty becomes Rue Émile Deutsch de la Meurthe. At the top, turn left and cross the street at the traffic lights.
(2) Then enter Parc de Montsouris. At the fork immediately ahead, take the wide tarmac path on the right. When another path joins from the left, continue straight ahead to the Observatory's sighting post (or southern sighting post). Then take the first gravel path on the left, pass the foot of a chimney on your left and you will reach an esplanade (benches, viewpoint).
Go down the lawn opposite (the lawns are open to the public). Cross a gravel path, continue across a lawn, pass at the foot of an animal sculpture (panther and snake) and arrive at a crossroads. Continue straight ahead (north), walking alongside a playground on your right and passing at the foot of the column in homage to the Flatters Mission. Walk gently down a wide tree-lined path.
(3) At the next crossroads (Colonne de la Paix Armée on the left), turn right and pass under the railway line (RER B line). Shortly afterwards, take thefirst path on the right and head towards the small lake. Then turn right and, at the next fork, take the left path to walk along the lake on your left. At the end of the lake, turn right and climb a few steps. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead uphill with steps. On the left, you will come to a rotunda with stone benches (viewpoint).
Return to the main path and follow it to the left. At the crossroads immediately ahead, take thesecond path on the left. Walk along the RER line on your right below. At the T-junction (bridge on the right), turn left. After about 50 metres, go down the steps on the left. At the bottom (gatehouse on the left), cross a tarmac path and go down the stairs leading to the park exit.
(4) Cross Rue Gazan and take Rue Liard opposite. At the end, go around the crossroads on the right, crossing Rue d'Arcueil and Rue de l'Amiral Mouchez in succession. Continue straight ahead into a pedestrian street starting at the foot of a small building with wooden cladding on the right-hand side (Rue Cacheux on the map). Continue along Rue des Longues Raies (end of the pedestrian street). Take thefirst left, Rue Annie Girardot, and immediately turn right onto Rue Madeleine Brès. Walk down the cobbled street and you will find the Petite Ceinture railway line below on your right. At the bottom, turn right and walk a few metres.
(5) Then turn left into the Jardin de la Petite Ceinture. Walk along the old railway line on your right, with the Super Italie Tower on your left and the Cambord Tower on your right. At a roundabout just before a gate blocking the railway line (central shrub), turn right and cross the railway line. Climb the stairs on the left and leave the garden.
Then follow Rue Damesme to the left and cross the old railway line. Immediately turn right onto Rue André Pieyre de Mandiargues with the old Petite Ceinture railway line below on your right. Cross Place des 44 Enfants d'Izieu and, opposite, slightly to the left, enter the Jardin du Moulin de la Pointe.
Go through a chicane and continue straight ahead. After about 20 metres, turn right and walk along a high pergola. Cross a perpendicular path and, after about 20 metres, turn left onto a narrow footbridge. Pass the ping-pong tables on your right, turn left, go under a sort of high metal trellis and climb a flight of steps. At the top, turn right and continue straight ahead to exit the garden. Pass under a decorated porch and then turn left. At the end of the street, follow Boulevard Kellermann to the left to reach the Porte d'Italie (E).
To return home:
- Metro - Line 7, immediate access at the corner of Boulevard Kellermann and Avenue d'Italie.
- Tram - Line T3a, station in the middle of Boulevard Kellermann, beyond Avenue d'Italie.
Visorando member
Moderate 
