Bercy Park at a glance
Located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, between the Gare de Lyon and the Cour Saint-Emilion neighborhood, Bercy Park spans 3 distinct green spaces offering locals and visitors a great spot to unwind. Its 14 hectares were designed in the 1990s by architects Bernard Huet, Madeleine Ferrand, Jean-Pierre Feugas and Bernard Leroy, working alongside landscape designers Ian Le Caisne and Philippe Raguin on the site of Paris's former wine warehouses. Fun fact: back in the day, grape varieties were blended and bottled right here to avoid paying an octroi tax. Keep an eye out for the old railway tracks where tanker trucks once rolled, along with the 200 century-old trees in the Jardin de Mémoire, which stand as living historical witnesses to that era.
Heading further west, you will find a pleasant grassy lawn dotted with trees known as the Grande prairie. Set among 9 pavilions, don't miss its lovely terrace offering superb views over the Seine. A bit further along, you can spot the Bercy arena, one of the largest indoor concert and sports venues in France, with a capacity of up to 18,000 people, as well as the striking building that houses the Cinémathèque Française.
Over on the east side, the Jardin romantique centers around a canal aligned with the palais omnisport de Bercy. Featuring 2 footbridges, its aquatic design hits all the classic notes with water lily ponds where ducks calmly swim, a waterfall, artificial grottoes and the Maison du lac, which regularly hosts art exhibitions. Always wanted a green thumb but not sure where to start? The Maison du jardinage hosts beginner-friendly gardening workshops.
I really like the 5th arrondissement of Paris. And this park is one of the beautiful places you can visit there. I really enjoyed the large meadow. And then there are the big goldfish, too. Watching them is very relaxing. There is also a Japanese-style area, which is very charming as well.