#091 Le Petit Montrouge, Utterly Calm and Bourgeois

3 Hours

Tour Features

About Le Petit Montrouge Private Tour

Le Petit Montrouge borough, located in the south of the city, is rarely mentioned in Paris guidebooks —wrongly, dare I say! Slightly removed from the tourist center, this neighborhood, which was once part of the the separate suburb of Montrouge, is distinguished by its peaceful, almost country atmosphere.

La Petite Ceinture

La Petite Ceinture is a former circular railway inside Paris. It was built in the mid-19th century for the workers when the city enlarged itself by incorporating all the villages, pastures and market gardens around. With the advent of the metro and bus network, passenger transport on La Petite Ceinture was stopped in the 30s and the railway was derelict in the 70s.

A few years ago the PC in disused was turned into wild promenades. The section crossing through Le Petit Montrouge, being lower than the city level, is probably the greenest of all, like a small forest path in the middle of Paris!

The direction taken by the city here is at the opposite of the one chosen for the redevelopment of the #14 North Petite Ceinture.

Opulent Architecture and Rustic Alleyways

Before the takeover by Paris, the north part of Montrouge consisted mainly in factories and rural fields. After the incorporation, rich businessmen jumped on the opportunity to buy the rustic areas, and create housing developments for the Parisian bourgeoisie.

It resulted in numerous detached houses arranged in villas, the Parisian culs de sac. This naturally attracted bourgeois and artists like sculptors and painters, who found there an environment more conducive to creation. This upper middle-class presence is still very noticeable across the many residential alleyways of Le Petit Montrouge.

Le Petit Montrouge Private Tour

On this tour, we’ll see the city from an unusual angle, in a very relaxing and nature-in-the-city atmosphere.

In addition to the walk on the former rail tracks, we’ll see an example of former train station turned into a cultural venue, get a country-feel through flowered residential passages, and end with a short stroll in the lovely Montsouris Park.

Tour Options

Depending on the time slot, we might be able to conclude with a meal (in a bistro or as a picnic in a park) or a drink (NB: participants are responsible for their meal/drink costs)

Highlights

  • Flowered residential passages
  • Railway converted into a promenade
  • Village atmosphere at times

Send an inquiry for a private tour here.

#091 Le Petit Montrouge, Utterly Calm and Bourgeois

REDDIT