District 19th - dix-neuvième - Butte-Chaumont Far from Paris center, and usually not a point of attraction to the accidental tourist, yet the local Parisian love this open space area of the 19th district, especially on a sunny summer day, and I too found it enchanting and worth the visit even on a cold cloudy weather.
Historically it was the home of the working-class to the city’s traders and craftsmen, and many immigrants particularly from North Africa.
Today, the 19th is one of Paris’ up and coming neighborhoods,
Situated on Northeastern corner of the city, on the right bank of the Seine, it is known as Butte-Chaumont. It is blessed by 2 parks: Chaumont and Villette and crossed by 2 canals - the Canal Saint-Denis and the Canal de l'Ourcq, which form a Bassin de la Villette connecting the 2 body of water near the vast Parc de la Villette.
A rural woodlands covered the current site of La Villette, until the end of the 18th century. In 1808, the area was linked to Paris via an aqueduct that was turned into the navigable Ourcq canal.
Ora and I strolled leisurely through the park area, taking in and admiring the vast open space, the changing trees' leafs colors of the season, the canal on its passing boats, with the bridge above it, and the amazing architecturally imposing structures.
Parc de la Villette complex
Cultural, recreational, and scenic attractions fill this park's community space, which contains the city's largest artificial lake, and serves as a "beach" and as the site of summer festivals/concerts, outdoor sports, and indoor children’s space. The space is dimpled with many red functional structures, that stand-out on the background of the park's greenery.
On the park's premises are also multiple museums:
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie- a museum and exhibition center,
Since 1986 it is the biggest science museum in Europe, one of the three dozen French Cultural Centers of Science, Technology and Industry (CCSTI), promoting science and science culture. The structure was designed by the architect Adrien Fainsilber constructed around the vast steel trusses of an abattoir sales hall. The most notable features of the "bioclimatic facade" facing the park are Les Serres – three greenhouse spaces.The facades of Les Serres were the first structural glass walls to be constructed without framing or supporting fins. The goal of the Cité is to spread scientific and technical knowledge among the public, and to promote public interest in science, research and industry.
A planetarium, a submarine (the Argonaute), an IMAX theatre (La Géode) and special areas for children and teenagers are the attractions of the museum.
Music Complex includes:
Cité de la Musique - music museum on the history of music with a display of more than 1,000 instruments and art objects, spaces for educational activities and several areas that can accommodate orchestras.
The Philharmonie de Paris, Stunning architecture
Most modern spectacular architectural concert hall complex in Paris, Constructed in 2015,
designed by Jean Nouvel and Christian Porzamparc. The space space is equipped with the latest sound technology and comprised of 3 concert halls, the Philharmonie can seat over 3,000 people and is very affordable
For Visits
And the Conservatoire de Paris, one of the most renowned music schools in Europe.
The other attractive public park is Parc des Buttes Chaumont, One of the biggest and original green spaces in Paris, constructed on quarries, which explains its impressive steepness and change in levels and heights. It was opened in 1867 and is located on a hill overlooking the city, with stunning views especially of the Montmarte. It has caves, waterfall ponds, suspended bridge and gardens of exotic indigenous trees and numerous birds. We left a visit to this park for another occasion. "Butte Bergeyre" Village There is also a small hidden village composed of few cobbled narrow and winding streets, just next to the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. A quaint reminder of old Paris . A walk up the Rue Georges Lardennois will take you back in time and will offer great views of Montmartre.
Yesterday was the first afternoon I dedicated to some shopping, at a quaint neighborhood street recommended by Ora.
Magasins rue de Rennes -Montparnasse
inaugurated in 1852, rue de Rennes of Montparnasse, was created during era Haussmann works to facilitate an access to the old Montparnasse station, thus planned as large road stretching from the train station to the Seine. It consist of numerous great boutiques, many quality shoe stores, restaurants and movie theaters all of small size without the glitz of Champs Elise
On the corner of rue Rennes and rue d'Assaas there is "GEMO Kids"
great children store were I stoked up on presents for my grandchildren
And just across from the kids store there is a Chocolate artisan boutique, with amazing chocolate sculptures called
Jean-charles Rochoux -16 Rue d'Assas
To be continued....
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