From the most artistic and aesthetic to the most common, most of the vegetal walls in Paris are the initiative of one man: Patrick Blanc. Botanist and researcher at CRNS, you can count on him to take a breath of fresh air and escape, far from the everyday Haussmannian streets. Not to mention the numerous ecological advantages of these "vertical gardens", which notably improve the air quality. Enough to compensate for the polluting trips to Châtelet. No wonder the vegetal walls project came out on top in the votes of Parisians for the participatory budget in September 2014!
Take a look:
1. The most artistic
Meet at the corner of Rue des Petits-Carreaux and Rue d'Aboukir, in the 2nd arrondissement, to be amazed by the cream of the crop of vertical gardens. Proudly standing at 83 Rue d'Aboukir, is the famous Oasis d'Aboukir. 25 meters tall. 250 square meters of greenery. A truly exquisite vertical English-style garden, beautifully chaotic. It boasts more than 7,600 plants of 237 different species, including ficus, fuchsias, and geraniums. A true "hymn to biodiversity" according to Patrick Blanc.
83, Rue d'Aboukir, 75002 Paris
Access : Sentier Metro / Strasbourg Saint-Denis Metro
2. The most impressive
In 2008, the immense green wall of Rue d'Alsace, in the 10th arrondissement, was inaugurated. You can stroll at the foot of these 1,400 square meters, which reach a height of 27 meters above your heads. Get ready to discover over 40,000 plants along your path. There's no shame in being a tourist in front of this vertical garden that connects Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est and welcomes hundreds of travelers every day.
Access: Metro Gare du Nord / Metro Gare de l'Est
3. The most luxurious
You can also delight your eyes with indoor green walls at the Pershing Hall garden, in the 8th arrondissement. Since 2001, the guests at this luxury hotel can admire this tropical masterpiece, which combines different plants from the Amazon, Philippines, and the Himalayas, subtly illuminated by neon green spotlights. All while sipping champagne on the terrace of the inner courtyard, of course. Well, that being said, make sure to budget for some sudden cravings for tempura shrimp, foie gras with scallops, or lobster tail.
49, rue Pierre Charron, 75008 Paris
Access: Metro Franklin Roosevelt / Metro Alma Marceau
Average à la carte price: 59 €
4. The Most Full Business
But who is it that blends into the mass of skyscrapers at La Défense, pure wool suits and leather briefcases under the arm? Trotters make their way to the Pershing Hall because in Paris, where businessmen are most numerous, they still appreciate what is elegant. Decidedly friendly, you will see the beautiful world from all parts of the world taking seats to appreciate the work of Aggressors, the creator of Pont des Arts and pulling at the bottom two strings in addition to his little brother Floating Gardens : Blue and white mosaic frescoes flower around each of the lamp ball. Since 2018, there is also a private room behind Michelin-starred chef Ghislain Gueugneau from Lyon. Well animated bar evenings especially on weekends, and head-to-head, which reminds you – unfortunately – of the observation post of the Lincoln Center in New York. Unless elsewhere?
The sky-high walls of La Défense, contrasting with the towering glass buildings of the neighborhood? A vegetal wall wedged between the entrance of the Quatre Temps shopping center and a McDonald's. Not necessarily the best neighborhood for a leisurely stroll, but we applaud the initiative and the work done to remind you that photosynthesis exists, even in Paris, even in a shopping center. If that's not just pure greenwashing... 1, place du Dôme, 92800 Puteaux Access: Metro/RER La Défense 5. The Most IntellectualVoir cette publication sur Instagram
This summer, we go out, we enjoy the sun, but we also take the time to (re)discover the cultural places we are lucky to have near us. Let's head to the Musée du quai Branly, in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Take a look at the collections and exhibitions on display. On May 23rd, the "Le Magasin des Petits Explorateurs" will be launched, an opportunity to learn more about popular French culture of the 19th century and its perception by the outside world. At the entrance, you will find 15,000 ferns, carnations, irises, fuchsias... from all over the world, spread over a glass area of 800 m². Plus, this wall, which symbolizes peace, openness, and respect for the environment, will complete its renovation next month.
Access: Metro Alma-Marceau / M&eacuThe Ecole militaire / Metro Bir Hakeim 6. The most committed The green wall that stands in front of the EDF headquarters, in the heart of the 8th arrondissement, aims to display environmental concerns that the company considers "relevant". And it's worth taking a look at it during your next shopping spree on the Champs-Elysées, especially with the upcoming sales. This vertical garden is the work of the company Jardins de Babylone, voted as the actress of sustainable Paris 2015 by the Paris City Hall. 10, rue Lincoln, 75008 Paris Access: Metro Champs-Elysées Clemenceau 7. The most natural
What's better than strolling down Saint-Vincent Street towards Montmartre, during a romantic walk, hand in hand, along an astonishing natural green wall... Well, you can also do that in any other mood, it's still nice. The Virginia creeper shows us its powers and proves that a single plant is enough to create a vertical garden. The passers-by in the 18th arrondissement experience it, while their gaze remains fixed on a somewhat incongruous lamp post, as if planted on the wall.
Saint-Vincent Street, 75018 Paris
Access: Lamarck-Caulaincourt Metro
8. The most versatile
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You have probably already passed by it. But without realizing it. And that's amazing! Yet another wall that reminds us that greenery can exist in an urban environment. Created in 2007 by the renowned Patrick Blanc, in collaboration with Galeries Lafayette, this vertical garden is literally displayed above the BHV/Marais/homme sign on rue de la verrerie (Paris IV). As a future expert on Parisian vertical gardens, you will find the anarchic English-style of the Aboukir Oasis here. Ah... so many botanical beauties to see in Paris, if you take a moment to look.
36, rue de la verrerie, 75004 Paris
Access: Metro Hôtel de Ville
