tour la villette

Tour La Villette, puis tour Pariferic

Cette tour à R + 35 compte 40 900m² de surface développée de planchers dont l’emprise au sol ? est de 1 313,64 m². Sa hauteur sans l’acrotère ? est de 110,20 m, sa longueur de 54 m et sa largeur de 25 m. En façade, des fenêtres carrées sont disposées régulièrement. Sur les façades sud et nord, le revêtement forme un motif géométrique à partir de couleurs bleue et bronze, rappelant les gratte-ciel new yorkais du début du 20e siècle. Le dessin de M. Holley proposait des baies ? en alvéoles caractéristiques des années 1970. En ce qui concerne la superstructure ? , au rez-de-chaussée ? et à l’entresol, des poteaux béton armé ? formant des portiques en V reprennent deux poteaux d’étage ; leur trame ? est de 7,20 m au sud et à l’est. Au nord et à l’ouest, un voile en béton armé reprend les charges des poteaux en étages courant. Aux étages courants se trouve un noyau central en voile de béton armé allant de 0,45 m d’épaisseur dans les niveaux bas à 0,25 m dans les derniers niveaux. Les planchers sont constitués d’alvéoles longitudinales modulées sur une trame de 3,60 m en façade.

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tour La Villette, puis tour Pariferic - Aubervilliers

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Parc de la Villette

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Dotted with red pavilions, or folies , the park was designed by Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi and is a postmodern feast (guided tours 08.03.30.63.06, 3pm Sun in summer). The folies serve as glorious giant climbing frames, as well as a first-aid post, burger bar and children's art centre. Kids shoot down a Chinese dragon slide, and an undulating suspended path follows the Canal de l'Ourcq.

As well as the lawns, which are used for an open-air film festival in summer, there are ten themed gardens bearing evocative names such as the Garden of Mirrors, of Mists, of Acrobatics and of Childhood Frights. South of the canal are Le Zénith , and the Grande Halle de la Villette – now used for trade fairs, exhibitions and September's jazz festival. It is flanked by the Conservatoire de la Musique and the Cité de la Musique , with rehearsal rooms, concert halls and the Musée de la Musique .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Getting around paris, paris travel guide, paris essentials, train travel, paris arrondissements, parc de la villette – from abattoir to arts & sciences.

Dedicated to the arts and sciences, Parc de la Villette's collection of buildings, thematic gardens, lawns, and walkways range from miniature to monumental. Construction began in 1984 and it took two decades to transform the 19th-century abattoir and meat market into the largest park in Paris, other than the two bois .

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Cultural Hub of the 19th Arrondissement

Although Parc de la Villette hangs on the edge of the 19th Arrondissement in the northeast of the city, it's one of the cultural hubs of Paris. Here you find Europe's largest science museum, a museum of music, three major concert venues, plus the Conservatoire de Paris .

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Discover what's on when you're here, history & design at parc de la villette.

In the mid 19th century, during the massive renovation of Paris driven by Emperor Napoleon III and his city administrator, Baron Haussmann, the city was not only rebuilt but expanded as well — bringing into the city limits nearby village and towns. One of those villages, to the northeast of Paris, was La Villette, with a history that went back to at least the Roman era. (In the 12th century, by the way, La Villette was home to a leper's hospital.)

In 1859, under Haussmann, La Villette was incorporated into the newly-created 19th Arrondissement. At the same time it was decided to create a new, central abattoir to replace five large slaughterhouses then located in Paris at Montmartre; at Ménilmontant (another village, incorporated into the new 20th Arrondissement); Roule, on the Right Bank not too far away from the Louvre; Grenelle (in the current 15th); and Villejuif, in the current 13th.

As the city grew over the next 100 years, the Villette abattoir was moved to locations outside of Paris. With the exception of the Grande Halle de la Villette (formerly called the Halle aux Boeufs and which still exists today) most of the Villette buildings were razed in the mid-1970s. Following an international design competition, the first stage of Parc de la Villette was built between 1984 and 1987.

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A new park is born.

The idea was to transform the 135 acres into a modern 20th-century park filled with activity — in sharp contrast to 19th-century parks where rest and leisure reigned supreme. One essential design feature was keeping the north-south perspective open to view. The park's central structure today is the Grande Halle de la Villette , with new buildings scattered around it.

The modern Parc de la Villette is home to museums, concert halls, performance theaters, themed parks, playgrounds, and thirty-five red architectural folies . In case you've forgotten your Architecture 101, folies are buildings meant for decoration rather than practical purposes.

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Cité des sciences et de l'industrie.

It's a long way from an abattoir to the largest science museum in Europe, but that's the story of the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie . The cité's planetarium, submarine, and exhibits of all sorts are well worth a visit. There are frequent special science exhibitions and the museum is often filled with Parisian students on school field trips.

The modern exposed blue structural details on both the interior and exterior may remind you of Centre Pompidou. The museum prides itself on its many interactive displays, including with an aquarium, a multimedia library, and the Cité des Enfants , for children up to age twelve. Explora on Level 1 holds the permanent exhibitions while on the top floor are the Planetarium and the temporary exhibitions.

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Cité de la musique.

The other large museum & arts complex at Villette is the Cité de la Musique , at once a museum of music history and a large performance center with numerous concert halls and rehearsal rooms. The museum displays over 1,000 instruments, including ones owned by Frederic Chopin and even Frank Zappa.

In 2015 an expanded musical complex was opened at Villette, Philharmonie de Paris , with an innovative, modernistic design and superior acoustics. This is now the largest music venue in Paris. While Cité de la Musique has been renamed Philharmonie 2 , we still have the original name stuck in our heads!

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La grande halle.

When the La Villette complex opened in the 1860s there were three market halls, but as we mentioned, only La Grande Halle aux Boeufs was preserved for its architectural value. Made of iron and glass as one of Napoleon III's projects, it was completed in 1867 by architect Jules de Merindol. In 1985, La Grande Halle was transformed into a multi-use exposition center. It's one of the few 19th-century structures that survive at Villette.

By the way, the fountain in front of La Grande Halle was originally located on the site that became Place de la République (where the 3rd, 11th, and 20th Arrondissements now come together). When Haussmann built this grande new place , he relocated the Fontaine aux Lions de Nubie (as it is called) out to the new slaughterhouse complex at Villette. Cattle used to drink from the fountain.

Ten Theme Gardens

A walk through Parc de la Villette also reveals ten themed gardens, playgrounds, and buildings housing theaters. Jardin des Miroirs is a quiet, shaded, hidden corner of the surrounding park. From a distance the garden appears to be filled with massive concrete blocks, but once you're within the garden, the mirrored surfaces make the concrete disappear. There are in fact, nearly thirty mirrors set among the pines and maple trees.

Other themed gardens to explore here include the Garden of Dunes, the Garden of Trellises, the Bamboo Garden, the Garden of Movement, the Garden of Balance with metallic kites, and even a Garden of Childhood Fears with a walkway where eerie music is played.

Other Villette Features & Folies

La Géode

La Géode is a geodesic dome with stainless-steel, mirror-like faces, that is located next to the Cité des Sciences . (Photo above.) It houses an IMAX(or OmniMax) theatre. Continuing north through the park, and crossing the Canal de l'Ourcq, you come to the Kiosque a Musique , which is surrounded by an outdoor dance area.

Argonaute Submarine

Launched in 1958, the Argonaute submarine spent 2,000 days at sea and 32,000 hours underwater. The submarine finally was retired in 1982. Seven years later, the Argonaute was transferred through seven locks of the Saint-Denis Canal to her final destination in the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie where she can be viewed today.

Zenith Performance Hall

Zenith, a 6,000-person performance hall, was intended to be temporary when it was built in 1983. (Same thing happened with the Eiffel Tower in 1889.) The metal framework and lightweight silver polyester fabric was quickly erected. Since then the theater has become a permanent part of the park and has inspired similar theaters throughout France.

Ourcq Canal

The Ourcq Canal runs through the middle of Parc de la Villette. Here you can catch a boat that connects to Canal St Martin and takes you on a cruise though its locks to reach the Seine. There are two pedestrian bridges than span the canal to the other side of the park. During the summer a mobile floating bridge is installed between these two bridges.

Parc de la Villette Resources

• 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019
• Metro – Porte de Pantin, Porte de la Villette
• Cité des Sciences Website …
• Cité de la Musique Website …
• Philharmonie de Paris Website …
• La Grande Halle Website …

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Why Paris’ Quirky Parc de la Villette is Worth a Visit

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

One place in Paris where you aren’t likely to see as many tourists wandering around? The sprawling, quirky, modern complex in the far northeast known as the Parc de la Villette.

Most people never even hear about it. While some guidebooks mention it as a good place to keep kids entertained, it usually doesn’t register as a “major attraction”– especially since it’s not in especially close reach of central Paris.

Yet there are several good reasons why this “cultural complex” (for lack of a better term) merits a detour. To call it a “park” is to vastly understate everything it has to offer.

Namely: inspired and odd thematic gardens, a science and industry museum, concerts, an open-air cinema– and even a gobsmacking geodesic dome .

Not to mention that the area surrounding it is one of the capital’s most vibrant and interesting these days. In short, as long as you’re up for something totally contemporary, La Villette is a place that’s likely to charm you (whatever your age.)

Without further ado, here are 7 good reasons to visit.

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1. The Sprawling Thematic Gardens Are Lovely & Intriguing

Anyone interested in botany, ecology, or whimsical gardening techniques will be inspired and intrigued by the 12 thematic gardens that grace the enormous grounds at La Villette .

The futuristic, ecologically minded gardens are presented in several quirky guises: there’s a mirror garden, a fog garden, bamboo garden, and even a garden of childhood fears, whose dense spruce and birch trees evoke the sinewy forest paths of Grimm’s fairy tales.

Throughout, curators have worked to achieve a sense of harmony between urban spaces and nature (well, a carefully cultivated and curated one, anyway.)

There’s the “island garden” that makes interesting use of the Canal de l’Ourq running through the park. And a moving installation called the Artery, a tribute to lives lost to HIV and composed of some 16,000 ceramic tiles. Inaugurated in 2006, it’s the work of French artist Francis Hyber.

Scattered throughout the Villette’s ground are sculptures, red footbridges traversing the park and connecting one area to another, and “folies”– red metal structures offering additional activities and services .

They serve as information desks, lookout points, and even a terraced cafe. On the whole, the gardens amount to an odd but compelling feat of postmodern architecture. Yet they feel accessible and whimsical rather than forbidding.

Entrance to all the thematic gardens and “folies” is free , and they’re open daily.

Access: Porte de la Villette, Metro Line 7. 

2. The Onsite Science & Industry Museum is Fascinating

This enormous center dedicated to scientific discovery and exploration is the city’s most recent science and industry museum, and Europe’s largest at an astounding 1.6 million square feet of exhibition space. This allows the Cité des Sciences to run several fascinating exhibits all at once, on an eclectic variety of themes.

Kids of all ages (including toddlers) can make genuine discoveries in interactive exhibits that cover everything from astronomy and space exploration to genetics, marine biology, aviation and and locomotion.

Read related: 5 Paris Museums That Are Great for Kids

There are special demonstrations and 90-minute workshops for kids aged 2-7 in the section called the”Cité des Enfants”, generally every 20 minutes or so. See this page for more info.

The permanent exhibition includes an aquarium, Planetarium, “Argonaute” submarine, and a 3D cinema named after Louis Lumière, one of the first inventors of moving pictures.

Built on the site of a former livestock market , the Cité opened in 1986 with an ambitious design from architect Adrien Fainsilber. The building itself is something of a modern feat, with its impossibly high ceilings, huge windows and interior courtyard areas curated by botanists and landscape artists.

Getting There: To access the Cité des Sciences, get off at Metro Porte de la Villette (line 7), enter the park and follow the signs to the museum. You’ll have to descend a series of steep stairs to get there, then enter an enormous hall to purchase tickets.

Opening Times: The Cité des Sciences is open from 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 7 pm on Sunday. Closed on Mondays and on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.

Plan your visit: You can book skip-the-line tickets to the Cité des Sciences here (via Tiqets.com).

3. The “Geode” Dome That’s a Utopian Throwback to the 1960s

Places like Montreal are famous for their geodesic domes, built by the likes of utopian architect and futurist Buckminster Fuller during the 1960s and 1970s.

But few know that Paris harbors one of its own, nestled within the Parc de la Villette and built by Adrien Fainsilber in 1985, as part of the Cité des Sciences complex.

The awesome mirrored dome is made from over 6,400 triangular pieces of stainless inox steel and boasts a diameter that’s equivalent to the height of a 12-story building.

It’s a pure throwback to the utopian optimism of the 1960s, when theorists like Fuller envisaged a world vastly improved by technological solutions. Maybe we need more of that bold optimism now, and the Geode oddly embodies it.

And if viewing it from afar or up-close isn’t interesting enough, there’s also an IMAX theatre inside that seats 400 people . Even on a rainy day, this is a fascinating place to spend an afternoon.

Getting there: 28 Avenue Corentin Cariou, 19th arrondissement/Metro Corentin Coriou or Porte de la Villette. The cinema and dome are located next to the entrance of the Science and Industry Museum.

NOTE: The cinema is currently closed for renovations, until sometime in 2020. The dome itself can still be enjoyed and photographed from the exterior.

4. Enjoy Free Open-Air Movies in the Summer

If you’re a film fan and planning to visit Paris in July or August, a trip up to the Villette may well be in order. Every year, a giant screen is set up on one of the sprawling lawns of the park, and cinephiles enjoy open-air movies most nights of the week.

There’s a specific theme each year, and the program generally includes an interesting balance of old films, cult classics and newer movies. Even better: the event is totally free.

Sprawl out with a picnic and enjoy old and new films alike (there are generally dozens programmed each year). The detailed program is usually announced sometime in the spring: check the monthly calendars at Paris Unlocked in May or June for an update on this year’s event.

5. The New Paris Philharmonic, Concerts & a Unique Museum Dedicated to Music

The Parc de la Villette has long harbored several interesting sites dedicated to music: the Zenith concert hall, where popular bands from around the band regularly play, and a museum consecrated to the history, traditions and future of music.

But with the opening of the Paris Philharmonic on the site in 2015 , it’s become a vastly more important place for music lovers in the French capital.

Housed in an oddly fascinating building designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Philharmonic has become as popular with photographers wishing to capture its oddly beautiful angles and mysteriously organic, shadowy surface patterns as it has with concert-goers.

The Cité continues to hold temporary exhibits on various genres and periods in music history, and there are concerts on a nearly daily basis.

You can see a full program for the Paris Philharmonic/Cité de la Musique here , and one for the Zenith concert hall here (in French only).

There’s also an annual jazz festival each summer called Jazz a la Villette that’s highly recommended.

Getting There: Porte de Pantin (Line 5) is the closest metro station to the Philharmonic and the Zenith, but you can also get off at Porte de la Villette (line 7) and walk for a few minutes, following signs within the park or with the aid of Google Maps.

6. Carnival Rides, Treats & Fun Park Activities for Kids

The Cité des Sciences isn’t the only family-friendly attraction at the park. There’s a permanent carnival of sorts set up in the middle section of the complex, featuring rides for kids of all ages (and a few more suitable for teens and adults).

Vendors peddle treats including crepes , ice cream, popcorn and cotton candy, and there’s a variety of fun park games, thematic and highly interactive playgrounds.

{Related: The Jardin d’Acclimation, an Old-World Paris Amusement Park}

One big hit with young visitors is an enormous slide in the “Dragon Garden” that to me resembles an alien insect in bright hues of blue, yellow and pink, the slide its creepy proboscis. Never mind. The kids adore it.

In short, if you’re looking for a way to keep your young family member happy and distracted, this is yet another reason to bring them up to La Villette. It’s arguably a more educational– and far less expensive– alternative to a day at Disneyland Paris.

7. The Vibrant Cultural Scene Alongside the Bassin de la Villette

The park is built around the Canal de l’Ourq, a body of water that feeds into the Bassin de la Villette, Paris’ largest artificial lake.

The Bassin and the adjoining canal area is an interesting place to explore by foot or bike, even as you move southward and leave the park entirely. I’d describe its banks as a new center of cultural vibrancy in Paris.

Why? It’s lined with charming péniches (boat-bars and restaurants), sidewalk cafes and bistrots, trendy new breweries and concept bars, including one in a redecorated old house where patrons can sit in vintage bathtubs to enjoy their drinks.

The last time I was there, I took several summery walks along the banks, stopping in for drinks with friends on various péniches and watching people row lazily down the canal on rented vessels.

And the warm months, dozens if not hundreds of people perched at the waterside to picnic, sip beers and socialize.

This amounts to a remarkable transformation of an area of the city that was once moribund, and even notorious as a place where drug dealers and gangs liked to operate. Luckily, that’s a thing of the past.

Read related: Yes, It’s Still Safe to Travel to Paris. Here’s How to Stay Secure.

In July and August, the area is taken over with a full-fledged beach operation called Paris Plages — and it’s entirely free to lounge on the banks or the pop-up bars, swim in pop-up pools installed on the water, or just take a stroll.

The lake, which looks more like a river or canal at all but its widest points, stretches southward to Metro Stalingrad and Jaures. Here, two cinemas, the MK2 Quai de Seine and MK2 Quai de Loire , offer plenty to do on an afternoon or evening in the area.

Several cafés, restaurants and rooftop bars are packed on the weekends and during the summer. The cinemas themselves regularly screen English-language movies in “VO” (original version with French subtitles), so don’t be shy about giving them a try.

And the nearby 104 (Cent Quatre) Arts Center is one of the city’s most interesting places for contemporary art and exhibits. It’s also got a fantastic terrace and pizza truck.

In short, the park is a gateway to an area of Paris that’s both incredibly vibrant and largely unknown to tourists. Don’t look for Parisians flocking to the banks of the Seine these days: most of them are up at the Canal de L’Ourq and La Villette.

Practical Information and Getting There

To visit the park, the easiest way from the city center is to take Metro Line 7 from the Chatelet station to Porte de la Villette stop, then follow directions to the park entrance. There’s another entrance not far from the Porte de Pantin metro stop (line 5) , which may be a better bet if you’re headed straight for the Paris Philharmonic or the Cité de Musique.

Opening Hours

The Parc de la Villette is open from 6:00 am 1:00 am during most times of the year. It closes in the case of storms or dangerous weather.

Navigating Through the Park

The park is enormous, and it can feel a bit difficult to orient yourself once there. Onsite maps can help, and I also recommend enlisting apps such as Google Maps to figure out where you are in the park.

Booking a Trip to Paris?

If so, a bit of advanced planning can only make your sojourn go more smoothly. Search for deals on flights and hotels (via Skyscanner), or book train tickets and passes (at Rail Europe).

Visit this site for a wide variety of tours, river cruises, and skip-the-line passes for major sights and attractions. There’s also a good selection of popular activities to choose from at Tiqets.com.

Finally, if you’re interested in a guided tour, check out Viator for a large range of city tours, with topics ranging from food and pastries to art and museums.

Note from the editor: This post includes a few affiliate links. If you book products or services through these, it comes at no additional cost to you– but helps fund more free content at this site. Thank you. 

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Courtney Traub is the Founder and Editor of Paris Unlocked. She’s a longtime Paris resident who now divides her time (as well as she can manage) between the French capital and Norwich, UK. Co-author of the 2012 Michelin Green Guide to Northern France & the Paris Region, she has been interviewed as an expert on Paris and France by the BBC, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Le Figaro, Matador Network and other publications. Courtney has also written and reported stories for media outlets including Radio France Internationale, The Christian Science Monitor, Women’s Wear Daily and The Associated Press. In addition to going down various rabbit holes of curiosity when it comes to French culture, history, food and art, Courtney is a scholar of literature and cultural history whose essays and reviews have appeared in various forums.

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Parc de la Villette: The Hidden Gem of Paris

• By Laura Moore
• on March 12, 2019

Parisians take their leisure time seriously, which to be honest, is one of the many reasons I love living in this city. There are over 420 public parks and gardens spread out across Paris, and when the weather is nice, they are all packed. For visitors, most people make a point of going to see places like the Tuileries Gardens, the Champ de Mars, and the Luxembourg Gardens. This is understandable, as they are all beautiful and well worth a visit. That being said, if you’re looking for something off the beaten track, I suggest you set your sights to the northeast and head to the Parc de la Villette . It may have taken me almost a year after I moved to Paris to discover this hidden gem, but once I did, it quickly became one of my favourite places in Paris.

From Meat Market to Contemporary Park

The Parc de la Villette used to house the slaughterhouses and meat markets of Paris. Not exactly the most auspicious beginning to a public park, but nevertheless, these abattoirs stood in this location for over 100 years until they were relocated in 1974. By that point the French government had decided to redesign the area, and French-Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi was given the task of turning the so-called City of Blood into a contemporary public park. The Parc de la Villette officially opened in 1987, and today draws over 10 million visitors every year.

This is because there’s so much to see and experience at the Parc de la Villette. Interestingly enough, in a city as packed with museums as Paris, this park is home to one of the largest concentrations of cultural spaces in the city. The Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie is the largest science museum in all of Europe, and directly in front of it sits La Géode, an IMAX theatre housed in a massive geodesic dome. The park is also home to the Philharmonie de Paris , the Cite de la Musique , and the Zenith concert venue , among numerous other performance spaces. And finally, the Grande Hall de la Villette is a must-see. Originally built in 1867, this building is one of the few to survive the redesign of the area. What was once a live cattle market now plays host to trade shows, exhibitions, and cultural events, all under the building’s beautiful cast-iron and glass structure.

Time to Visit Year Round

The Parc de la Villette also is home to numerous events throughout the year, so there’s always something new to see. Every summer, the park hosts the Cinéma En Plein Air, an open air cinema that screens a wonderful mix of international and French films under the open sky. In addition to its concert schedule, the Philharmonie presents musical themed exhibitions throughout the year, as well as a museum of musical history. And every spring, the park is home to the 100% Festival , a months long cultural event featuring dozens of performances by artists from all over France.

At present, the event at the park currently generating the most excitement is the upcoming exposition of the treasures of King Tut of Egypt . This exhibit will be taking place in the aforementioned Grande Hall, and will feature over 150 Egyptian treasures. It’s been announced that these treasures are on their last international tour before they return to Egypt permanently.

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also dozens of architectural follies to admire, contemporary modern art to appreciate, and playgrounds for children to climb over. Not to mention kilometres of running trails, acres of fields for sports, and the Canal de l’Ourcq for boat rides. There’s even canal cruises for those who have travelled the River Seine one too many times. Have I convinced you to visit yet?

Truly a Hidden Gem of Paris

If you can squeeze in a visit to the Parc de la Villette the next time you are in Paris it will be well worth your time. Especially if you’re looking for something off the beaten track. In fact, “villette” means “little town” in French, and I can’t think of a more appropriate name for this little oasis of contemporary architecture among the Haussmann buildings of Paris. If you do get a chance to visit, I hope you will love this hidden gem as much as I do.

Getting to the Parc de la Villette

The Parc de la Villette can be accessed by lines 5 (Porte de Pantin) and 7 (Porte de la Villette) on the Metro, as well as by Tram line 3b (Porte de Pantin). The park is open seven days a week from 6AM to 1AM.

Photo by Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France – Rio Samba School statue @ Parc de La Villette @ Paris, CC BY 2.0.

_______________________________________________________________

Laura Moore is a professional storyteller who loves history and the many stories that make Paris one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Join one of her  signature tours  to learn the story of a city.

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Top Things To Do And See in La Villette, Paris

Formerly renowned for its slaughterhouses, La Villette is full of cultural attractions, tempting tourists to venture out and discover part of the 19th arrondissement of Paris . To get the best out of a trip to La Villette, consider visiting some of the places listed below.

Parc de la Villette

Théâtre Paris-Villette

La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

Musée de la Musique in the La Philarmonie 2

Museum, Building, Concert Hall

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• La Villette Park
• What to see and do
• A breath of fresh air

Description

Community facilities.

A veritable city within a city in the north of Paris, the Parc de la Villette, with its 55 hectares of green space intersected by the Canal de l’Ourcq is a popular destination for Parisians and tourists of all ages . This unique place is perfect for picnicking on its huge lawns, playing ball , or enjoying one of the many contemporary cultural activities on offer, from theatre to the circus .

Built in the 1980s on the site of the former La Villette slaughterhouses, this architectural project was surprisingly audacious . The architect Bernard Tschumi deconstructed traditional urban organisation in favour of architectural follies — cubic buildings scattered throughout the park — that have become the signature of this astonishing place .

Nature and architecture

The numerous playgrounds, gardens, rides, and children’s workshops at Little Villette and the Cité des Enfants make La Villette a kingdom for curious adventurers , who can play, run free or explore the sciences.

In the evening, the park becomes a paradise for music lovers with its 4 concert halls , the Zénith , the Trabendo , the Cabaret Sauvage and the Philharmonie de Paris . In summer, do not miss the Jazz à la Villette festival or the outdoor cinema programme .

Discover the Grande Halle de la Villette , a cultural centre of glass and iron.

Access and contact

• https://en.lavillette.com/

METRO : Line 5 - Porte de Pantin Line 7 - Porte de la Villette BUS : Lines 75, 151 – Porte de Pantin Lines 139, 150, 152 – Porte de la Villette TRAM : Line 3b – Porte de Pantin, Ella Fitzgerald or Porte de la Villette The Parc de La Villette is an open area with free access It is strongly recommanded to come to La Villette with public tranports

Days and opening hours

All year round, daily. Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day - schedules of shows, events and activities according to the programme on lavillette.com.

• Picnic area
• Entertainments room
• Temporary exhibition
• Children's entertainment

Spoken languages

Guided tour languages, bulletin board languages.

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Parc de la Villette

The Park in Paris with Plenty to Do

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From outdoor movie screenings in the summer to spontaneous breakdance performances and interesting temporary exhibitions in the Grand Hall, this is perhaps the most vibrant and culture-centered park in all of Paris.

Spanning both sides of the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Parc de la Villette has huge, sprawling lawns perfect for picnics, friendly soccer games, martial arts practice, and letting children run off some of their energy. Away from the large open spaces, lush wooded areas provide shade and a more secluded spot to talk, and also lead to a few of the music venues – Le Zénith, Le Trabendo, and Le Cabaret Sauvage – on the park’s property.

Wide sidewalks run the length of the canal, making the Parc de La Villette a favorite among joggers and families on bicycles to come get some exercise along the water. You can also rent small electric boats to cruise the canal – always a nice way to spend a summer evening in Paris.

The park also has plenty of playgrounds, including a special kids’ area called the ‘Jardin des Vents et des Dunes’ with play spaces for children from 0-13 years, and a huge, crazy slide shaped like a monster which is sure to thrill your little ones.

But the Parc de la Villette is much more than just a park; it’s also home to several cultural centers and museums.

Standing at the entrance to the park, the Grande Halle de la Villette welcomes all kinds of conventions and temporary exhibitions, everything from the World Tattoo Expo to the King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh which is on show now. The shining silver Philharmonie de Paris is where you can catch incredible classical music concerts or visit a museum of musical instruments.

The neighboring Cité de la Musique proposes musical-themed temporary exhibitions on everything from 80s French pop to Charlie Chaplin and the Music of Picasso . And on the north side of the Canal de l’Ourcq, you’ll find Europe’s largest science museum, the Cité des Sciences along with its mirrored Géode IMAX theater.

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Bistrot flaubert, boneshaker donuts, le pied de cochon, le barbouille, the hardware société, le saint-régis, brasserie la lorraine, du pain et des idées, brasserie dubillot, bouillon julien, le four du 12, aux petits oignons, le coupe-chou, les vins des dames, bouillon chartier, monsieur bleu, chez gladines, le voltaire, le chalet de neuilly, le pantruche, le radis beurre, la felicità, station f, sister midnight, café soucoupe, paname brewing company, willi’s wine bar, dose – dealer du café (batignolles), rosa bonheur – buttes chaumont, le comptoir général, la péniche antipode, castor club, la belle hortense, le mary celeste, café de flore, le syndicat, night flight, compagnie des vins surnaturels, le bouclier de bacchus, strada café, le perchoir de l’est, le renard bar, wild & the moon, le pavillon des canaux, dose – dealer de café (mouffetard), café kitsuné – palais royal, marin montagut, plantes pour tous, slow galerie, la samaritaine, antique & used book market, marché du livre, la cure gourmande, marché belgrand, bercy village, les puces de vanves, passy covered market, le bon marché, le bazar de l’hôtel de ville, koshka mashka, galeries lafayette, librairie galignani, the frankie shop, shakespeare and company, assouline – saint germain, fromagerie quatrehomme, legrand filles et fils, the abbey bookshop, aujourd’hui demain, twins concept store, l’eau et les rêves, alix d. reynis, marché saint-pierre, national archives museum of the hôtel de soubise, hôtel de la marine, collège des bernardins, parc de bagatelle, the american library in paris, galerie dior, musée carnavalet, square marcel bleustein blanchet, bourse de commerce, square édouard vii, musée de montmartre, rue denoyez, le village saint paul, square des batignolles, wall of ‘i love you’, avenue des champs-elysées, galerie perrotin, galerie kamel mennour, atelier des lumières, fondation louis vuitton, institut du monde arabe, parc de belleville, square barye, rue des eaux, parc monceau, arènes de lutèce, musée nissim de camondo, musée jacquemart-andré, l’hôtel de sully, centre pompidou, la sainte-chapelle, cimetière du montparnasse, galerie vivienne, maison de balzac, la conciergerie, gertrude stein’s apartment, musée de l’homme, place dauphine, café de la danse, ground control, la seine musicale, aquaboulevard, bam karaoke box, cirque d’hiver bouglione, moulin rouge, crazy horse paris, folies bergère, le grand rex, théâtre michel, gossima ping-pong bar, playground duperré, ‘oh my god, she’s parisian’ comedy show, les petites flèches, théâtre du châtelet, café oz – denfert, les bains du marais, aux bains montorgueil, hammam les cent ciels, free persephone, spa my blend by clarins, peninsula spa, the spa at mandarin oriental paris.

• Buttes Chaumont
• La Villette
• Porte de la Villette
• 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès
• 75019 Paris

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La Villette DIstrict

19 th Arrondissement: La Villette & Buttes Chaumont M° Porte de la Villette, Porte de Pantin, Stalingrad, Laumière, Buttes Chaumont, Botzaris

The two main attractions in the 19 th arrondissement are emblematic of the push to rehabilitate the east Paris industrial districts since Napoléon III. In the 1860s, Baron Haussmann created the city’s first public park, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont , on an old abandoned quarry site being used as a dump. At the same time, the city’s new cattle market and abattoirs (slaughterhouses) were built just a few blocks north in La Villette. Obsolete by the 1970s, La Villette was completely redeveloped and opened in 1986 as a modern city park dedicated to science, arts and entertainment. The sleek lines of the Parc de la Villette are a stark contrast to the romantic hills of the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, but both offer a much-needed escape from the surrounding concrete jungle.

The Parc de la Villette (Tel 01 40 03 75 75 ) doesn’t have any gates or walls. Within its 70 acres of mini-forests, bamboo groves and vast lawns are various museums, concert halls, and whimsical playgrounds. Begin at the Métro Porte de la Villette, in front of the imposing Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (Tel 01 40 05 80 00), a science and technology museum with a section created especially for children. Pass directly through the main entrance to the other side, where the silver sphere of La Géode Cinéma (Tel 01 40 05 79 99) mirrors the green grass and blue skies. Follow the covered walkway past the Dragon slide (okay, take a ride on the slide) and cross the Canal Ourcq at one of the red folie bridges. Continue on the covered pathway alongside the 19 th -century glass and iron Grande Halle , the only vestige of the former cattle market, now used as an exposition center (closed until late 2006 for renovations). Between the Cité de la Musique (Tel 01 44 84 44 84) concert hall and the Conservatoire de Paris is the little red Folie Information , where visitors can pick up a detailed map of the park and information on the current concerts and exhibitions. It’s possible to spend a whole day at the Parc de La Villette with all there is to see and do.

Hungry? The park has a few refreshment stands, a Quick fast-food restaurant, and a rather pricey restaurant at the Cité de la Musique. Le Hublot Restaurant in the Cité des Sciences has plats du jour from €9 and a neat aquarium décor. If the weather is nice, plan ahead and bring a picnic to eat on the lawn.

Leaving the Parc de La Villette, cross the Avenue Jean-Jaurès to the futuristic Holiday Inn (#218-228). The large passageway that goes beneath the hotel leads to the Allée Arthur-Honegger and Allée Darius-Milhaud , a pedestrian and cycling path built in the early 1990s to connect the Parc de La Villette with the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (M° Botzaris or Buttes-Chaumont).

Although one of the lesser-known Parisian parks, Buttes-Chaumont rarely fails to impress with its dramatic landscape of hidden grottos, waterfalls, steep cliffs and suspension bridge (dubbed the Pont des Suicides ). Get a panoramic perspective from the Sybille temple (copied from the Tivoli in Rome ) perched 100 feet above a central lake, or join the Parisians on the grassy slopes for a bit of afternoon sunbathing. For a coffee or snack in the park, find a seat on the peaceful terrace of the Café Weber on Avenue de la Cascade (near the M° Botzaris entrance).

There are two interesting neighborhoods adjacent to the park. To the east is La Mouzaïa , a village of single storey garden bungalows built in 1901 on the tiny cobbled streets around Rue Mouzaïa, Rue Général Brunet, and Rue Miguel-Hidalgo. The best time to visit is late spring, when the creeping wisteria vines are in full bloom. On the other side of the park is the Butte Bergeyre , a perched neighborhood of 1920s brick buildings. You’ll have to climb some steep stairs (at the Rue Barrelet-de-Ricou, off the Avenue Simon Bolivar). Once you’ve caught your breath, follow the Rue Georges-Lardennois for fantastic views of Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

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The gardens

La villette goes green the 55 hectares of parc de la villette offer the public a variety of spaces including meadows, gardens, groves, and an educational farm, where biodiversity is preserved, promoted, and nature is shared..

Strolling through the pathways of the 55-hectare park is discovering fantastic and playful spaces, meadows perfect for gatherings and relaxation, areas dedicated to gardening, experiencing the changing seasons under the shade of a wide variety of trees, discovering artworks, observing farm animals, or encountering more wild fauna.

Wander through the 12 themed gardens, enjoy the large meadows for running and playing, picnic under trees away from the crowds, and then take a nap on a shady patch of grass!

Les Jardins passagers

Exceptional closure from the evening of July 21 to 3 p.m. on August 17, 2024

A hidden gem of Parc de la Villette, the “Jardins passagers” allow wild herbs, unusual vegetables, orchards, and meadows to flourish. Created on a former industrial wasteland once occupied by the old sheep market, the Jardins passagers are ecological gardens with cultural, educational, and social purposes.

Practical information

The Jardins passagers are open to the public every weekend from Saturday, April 6th to Sunday, November 3rd , 2024 , from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. They are also available for group workshops or individual workshops by reservation from March to October.

• Guided tours with the gardening team on Saturdays and Sundays at 5:00 PM. A self-guided exploration guide of the Jardins passagers is also available upon request.
• Free access to the Jardins’ library: browse a selection of nature books onsite. In partnership with Editions Delachaux et Nestlé and Editions Terre Vivante.
• “Cabaret des oiseaux”: organic drinks and snacks by the association Les P’tits Pois de la Villette. Every Sunday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, from May 5th to June 30th, 2024, and from September 8th to November 3rd, 2024.

During the week, the gardens are reserved for hosting school groups (including those from social fields) who participate in workshops and cultivate plots dedicated to natural vegetable gardening. Adapted facilities allow all audiences to engage in the life of these gardens through numerous educational workshops offered there.

La Prairie du Cercle

Temporary closure from August 12th to 22nd.

To discover the Prairie du Cercle, you need to head to the heart of the park, along the Canal de l’Ourcq. Climb the footbridges to explore on either side of the waterway this astonishing circular meadow. On one side, the southern circle lawn is picturesque and tranquil, while on the other side, the northern circle lawn has more urban scenery with the Géode and Universciences in the background. These two atmospheres, from one bank to the other, are animated by the activity along the canal.

Le Jardin des vents et des dunes

Designed by Isabelle Devin and Catherine Rannou, this garden provides a secure play area dedicated to toddlers (from 0 to 2 years old) as well as older children (up to 13 years old). Inspired by the Brittany seaside, it offers a variety of games such as pedal-powered windmills, movable sail walls, and air cushion waves, aimed at developing balance and motor skills.

The secure space of the “Jardin des vents et des dunes,” tailored for each age group from 0 to 13 years old, offers imaginative games for children, loungers for parents, and most importantly, a real source of fun for everyone!

• Free access
• Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM from November 1st to March 31st
• Open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM from April 1st to October 31st

Le Jardin du dragon

Brand new in its colorful attire, the dragon reclaims its Garden and leads children into new adventures. The more adventurous can slide down its tongue slide for games of sliding and climbing! Younger ones can discover new swings and seesaws by tickling its belly.

The slide is reserved for children aged 8-14 and is open daily from 9 AM until dusk. The rest of the games are freely accessible to all.

Le Jardin des voltiges

The Jardin des Voltiges is the largest street workout space in France, freely accessible and open to everyone. Here, suitable equipment is provided for the public, and thanks to the efforts of the Villette Workout association, La Villette offers everyone the opportunity to practice safely.

Access restricted to individuals aged 14 and older or those taller than 1.40 meters. Accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Le Jardin des ombres

Not far from the entrance of the Zénith, concertgoers can delight in this garden. Its mineral ground composed of slabs with shards of white marble enhances the atmosphere, promoting either conviviality or intimacy through skillful lighting effects. Fifty benches integrated into the design of the slabs also structure the space. Finally, the tree beds provide shaded areas particularly appreciated during the summer heat.

Le Jardin des équilibres

This garden, which plays with geometry and imbalances, invites a striking sensory experience. Covering an area of 2,600 square meters, it is characterized by changing colors and large metallic kites amidst various tree species: hornbeams, conifers, metasequoias, and oaks. Two footbridges overlook this unusual landscape, and at night, the lighting creates a mysterious line drawing across it.

Le Jardin des bambous

This 3,000 square meter bamboo grove is the second largest collection of bamboo species in France. Landscape architect Alexandre Chemetoff has created optimal conditions for the growth of 30 species, which thrive in a sunny and humid tropical-like climate with ideal sunlight and drainage water from the lawns. At the heart of this garden, an outdoor sound cylinder designed by architect Bernhard Leitner forms a lounge area: its 24 speakers accompany the flowing water with a melodic composition.

Prairie du triangle

An iconic location in La Villette, the Prairie du Triangle is the largest green space in the park. With its vast 20,000 square meters of lawn, it’s perfect for relaxation, sports, and shared picnics. Every summer, the Prairie du Triangle transforms into a haven for cinephiles as it hosts the famous Open Air Cinema Festival. On the eastern side, La Folie houses Kermesse, a favorite spot for casual dining.

L’Artère – jardin des dessins

“L’Artère” is an artwork created by artist Fabrice Hybert commemorating years of struggle against the AIDS epidemic. It takes the form of a massive puzzle on the ground, made up of 16,000 ceramic tiles featuring 10,000 drawings. It serves as a memorial, an anti-monument where the steps of walkers gradually erase the disease in favor of hope.

Le Jardin des frayeurs enfantines

The Garden of Childhood Fears is a magical place that blends musical and botanical discoveries. Distant memories are revived as visitors traverse a mysterious forest of blue spruces and birches, enveloped in strange music. The more adventurous can take the path leading into its undergrowth, accompanied on their stroll by enchanting melodies.

Le Jardin des miroirs

Located in the extension of Little Villette, the Garden of Mirrors features around thirty strange monoliths, each 2 meters tall and covered with polished steel plates to form mirrors scattered throughout the area. Between reflection and reality, visitors experience a blend of true and false landscapes as they walk. At night, spotlights illuminate the mirrors, creating intriguing effects of shapes and shadows.

Pines and maples share the 1,670 square meters of this garden, which facilitates the collection and filtration of rainwater, optimizing natural watering for new plantings. An accessible path allows access and traversal of the garden for all individuals.

Le Jardin de la treille

Gilles Vexlard envisioned this shaded garden with vine stocks mounted on a vast trellis forming a ceiling. Climbing plants and 90 small fountains cascading down terraced levels create a corner of vegetal paradise. Seven bronze sculptures by artist Jean-Max Albert dominate this Eden-like setting, offering a unique framing. In autumn, the grapes are harvested to produce the trellis wine.

The “Jardins hors-les-murs” of Chaumont-sur-Loire

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Step into the Artist’s World: “Imagine Van Gogh” at La Villette in Paris

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Imagine Van Gogh. © lililillilil

“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” –Vincent Van Gogh

In a very original presentation, the Grand Hall of La Villette opens its doors to Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) with a musical immersive exhibition. This not-to-miss event plunges the viewer into 2000m2 of prolific projections of the artist’s paintings and letters with dizzying dimensions. A massive installation of projectors and speakers creates a phenomenal audio-visual journey made possible by cutting-edge technological equipment.

This incredible exhibition/show/scenography is the creation of Annabelle Mauger and Julien Baron who have collaborated in the creation of “Cathedral of Images” in Les Baux de Provence since 2001. Their approach? Putting technology at the service of art by immersing the viewer into the heart of the work so he taps in to feel the creative emotions of the artist. This show has appeal for every age group because “the viewer is encouraged to make his own way around the installations – imagine his Van Gogh.” Each installation is beautifully matched – by Mauger and Baron – to music by Saint-Saëns, Mozart, Bach, Delibes and Satie.

Don’t miss this emotional journey to contemplate and better understand what all naturalist painters seek to grasp when portraying real life. Get to know Vincent from early morning until the Starry, Starry Night, the Irises and the Sunflowers – it’s an emotional journey from Provence via Auvers-sur-Oise . Walk by Van Gogh’s side for the 27 minute loop and take in about 280-300 of his works. You’ll view his art with a different eye – in the words of Annabelle and Julien – “you’ll tap into Van Gogh’s brushes.”

Terrasse de café le soir, Vincent Van Gogh (1888)

What brings a lump to the throat is the fact that Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime – Red Vineyard at Arles – for 400 francs (equal to about $1,000-1,050 today). The painting is now exhibited at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. The rest of Van Gogh’s more than 900 paintings were not sold or made famous until after his death aged just 37!

Not only have Van Gogh’s artworks come to define post-Impressionism and provided endless inspiration for artists, but his tragic life story has also captured the hearts of countless musicians, writers and filmmakers too. Don McLean’s 1971 hit song “Vincent” is inspired by Van Gogh’s unique perspective on the world. He sings, “They did not listen, they did not know how… perhaps they’ll listen now.”

IMAGINE VAN GOGH, until 10 September 2017, Grande Hall de la Villette, 211 avenue Jean Jaures, 19th. Metro: Porte de Pantin (Line 5). Tramway Line 3b. Tarif: 14.90€. Children 12.90€. Website:  www.imagine-vangogh.com

Lead photo credit : Imagine Van Gogh. © lililillilil

More in Paris art , Paris summer , Van Gogh

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By margaret kemp.

Born in Hampton, Middlesex, UK, Margaret Kemp is a lifestyle journalist, based between London, Paris and the world. Intensive cookery courses at The Cordon Bleu, London, a wedding gift from a very astute ex-husband, gave her the base that would take her travelling (leaving the astute one behind) in search of rare food and wine experiences, such as the vineyards of Thailand, 'gator hunting in South Florida, learning to make eye-watering spicy food in Kerala;pasta making in a tiny Tuscany trattoria. She has contributed to The Guardian, The Financial Times Weekend and FT. How To Spend It.com, The Spectator, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Travel, and Luxos Magazine. She also advises as consultant to luxury hotels and restaurants. Over the years, Kemp has amassed a faithful following on BonjourParis. If she were a dish she'd be Alain Passard's Millefeuille “Caprice d'Enfant”, as a painting: Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe !

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La Tour aux figures de Dubuffet, une expérience sensorielle hors du commun

Émergeant du nid de verdure de l’île Saint-Germain à Issy-les-Moulineaux, la Tour aux figures de Jean Dubuffet, rénovée en 2020, se dresse tel un formidable totem dans lequel il est possible de pénétrer.

En 1983, Jack Lang, alors ministre de la Culture, passe commande à Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985) d’une œuvre monumentale à bâtir dans l’espace public parisien. La réponse ne se fait pas attendre longtemps et l’artiste phare de l’art brut propose d’ériger sa Tour aux figures dont il a imaginé les contours, quinze ans plus tôt, sous la forme d’une maquette de 1 m de hauteur. Inauguré en 1988, trois après sa mort, ce monument phare qui s’élève à plus de 24 m et dont l’intérieur se visite, a été récemment restauré en 2020.

À lire aussi :

• Menacé par des fissures, un chef-d’œuvre lunaire et hallucinant de Dubuffet a besoin d’une nouvelle restauration

Une édification posthume

Nous sommes en 1983. Le projet de Jean Dubuffet une fois validé doit trouver le lieu d’implantation idéal. La place d’Italie est le premier site tout d’abord envisagé. Mais le tollé des associations de riverains met le holà. Même mésaventure pour le Parc de la Villette puis le Parc de Saint-Cloud, tour à tour désignés. C’est alors qu’André Santini, maire (encore aujourd’hui) d’Issy-les-Moulineaux, se manifeste et propose une implantation sur sa commune, sur l’Île Saint-Germain.

La Tour aux figures de Jean Dubuffet au Parc départemental de l’Île Saint-Germain © ADAGP / CD92 – Willy Labre

Alors bordée d’usines et entrepôts désaffectés, cette nouvelle localisation ne vient heurter personne. Deux années se sont écoulées, nous sommes en 1985 et Dubuffet se rend sur place, fait le choix de la butte pour y dresser son édifice avant de décéder peu après, cette même année. Mené par l’État, par le biais du Centre national des arts plastiques et avec l’appui de la Fondation Dubuffet , le chantier est confié à Richard Dhoedt, fidèle collaborateur de Jean Dubuffet depuis de longues années qui assure la retranscription fidèle de la maquette. La Tour aux figures est née et inaugurée en grande pompe en 1988.

Une expérience sensorielle hors du commun

Inscrite à l’inventaire des Monuments historiques en 1992 puis classé en 2008, la structure, exposée aux intempéries, se dégrade au fil du temps. Son état devient tellement critique que le département des Hauts-de-Seine propose à l’État d’en assurer la sauvegarde contre un transfert de propriété. Cédé en 2015 à cette condition pour un euro symbolique, le monument est pris en charge par les services départementaux qui en assurent la restauration sous l’égide de Pierre-Antoine Gatier, architecte en chef des Monuments historiques en concertation étroite avec la Fondation Dubuffet.

Le Gastrovolve de la Tour aux figures de Jean Dubuffet au Parc départemental de l’Île Saint-Germain © ADAGP / CD92 – Willy Labre

Les 90 panneaux de résine qui composent l’enveloppe extérieure de la Tour sont alors démontés pour être restaurés. L’intérieur, baptisé par l’artiste le Gastrovolve , et qui propose une ascension sur 117 mètres de parcours dans un décor psychédélique de lignes noires sur fond blanc, est repeint. Une gaine VMC est ajoutée entre ce qui constitue la double peau de la Tour pour assainir durablement le monument. Emblématique du cycle de l’ Hourloupe et reconnaissable à sa palette limitée au rouge, bleu, noir et blanc, la Tour aux figures peut rouvrir ses portes en 2020. Laissé à la libre interprétation de chaque visiteur, son décor offre dans ses entrelacs de lignes des figures à découvrir tandis que pénétrer à l’intérieur et parcourir l’espace clos sur lui-même du Gastrovolve relève d’une expérience sensorielle hors du commun.

« Tour aux figures » Parc de l’île Saint-Germain, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux Visites de mars à octobre sur réservation

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Hors-série : Jean Dubuffet. Un barbare en Europe

Peintre, écrivain, inventeur de « l’Art Brut », Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985) fut un acteur majeur de la scène artistique du XXe siècle. Ce hors-série qui accompagne l’exposition du Mucem de Marseille, met en lumière son œuvre qui emprunte souvent à l’anthropologie et au folklore.

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