Description of the North Petite Ceinture

The Petite Ceinture (PC) is a former circular railway inside Paris, built in the mid-19th century. It aimed at connecting the 5 independently owned train stations of Paris and transported people until the 1930s when it was abandoned in favor of the metro and bus lines. It remained for freight purposes until the end of 1980s when it was completely decommissioned.

Location of the North Petite Ceinture

This section of the derelict railway goes through the edges of the 18th and 19th arrondissements of Paris, historically modest and ethnically blended neighborhoods. For a long time, these outskirts stayed in the shadow of the fancy and touristy Montmartre hill and later the cultural Villette park nearby.

Cultural Repurposing of Former Train Stations

For a decade now, this area has been undergoing a very interesting transformation, mainly through a repurpose of the Petite Ceinture: while in the South the focus is put on the walkway (#9 South Petite Ceinture), in the North cultural development takes center stage.

Indeed, several former train stations were brilliantly reassigned as mixed-use third spaces, either run by businesses or charities. Theses cultural venues offer a wide range of activities like food catering, art, nightlife but also project development, do-it-yourself, talks, often under a resolutely eco-friendly, inclusive and supportive banner.

The North Petite Ceinture Tour

On this tour, after a quick passage through a typical Parisian neighborhood garden, we’ll venture out on the PC to discover several cultural third spaces installed in former train stations.

The 3-hour tour will be concluded by a drink, while the extended 4-hour version of the tour can either include a concert in one of the most alternative jazz venue of Paris or a diner in a hidden spot by the tracks of the PC.