Parc de Bercy A Modern Park in Paris with a Historic Past.
Practical Information
Access: Free
Best Time to Visit: Spring, summer and through to early autumn. location MapParc de Bercy (14 hectares) is a modern park in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, created on the site of former wine warehouses. It offers a different take on green space in Paris. Unlike the formal design of the Jardin des Tuileries or the scale of the Bois de Vincennes, this is a modern park shaped by the history of the area.
The park combines open lawns, themed gardens, and reminders of the area’s wine-trading past. Opened in 1997, the park stands on land once filled with wine warehouses. For over a century, Bercy was at the heart of the Paris wine trade, and that heritage still influences the layout you see today. A Park in Three Distinct SectionsParc de Bercy is divided into three main areas, each with its own character. We recommend entering the park from the Bercy Village end which is best accessed by taking metro station Cour Saint-Émilion (Line 14) . This brings you out directly at the gates to park.
Le jardin romantique.
This is the most traditional part of the park and the first you enter from Bercy Village.With small bridges, ponds, and quiet corners it feels closer to an older Paris style, designed for strolling rather than open recreation. This area features winding paths, ponds with ducks, and a more informal landscape. One of the ponds is centred on the sculpture “Demeure X,” surrounded by water lilies. The path continues to a small lake with an island, where the Lake House sits among mature trees. You will find evidence of its past industrial heritage here as the park designers have retained some reminders from the historic site, including paved paths, cobble-stone pathways and a short section of railway tracks that were used to transport wine from the riverbanks to the winery here. The Romantic Garden also extends beyond the footbridge in the middle of the park, two steep pedestrian bridges take you over rue Joseph Kessel to the second part of the garden and on through that to 'Les Parterres', the central part of the park.
Once over the bridge you enter a tranquil spot of the park with ideal spots which the locals use for sitting and reading while surrounded by flowerbeds. Then it's onto the 'Yitzhak Rabin Garden',a garden dedicate to a former assassinated Prime Minister of Israel which features a beautiful water feature as well as the flowerbeds.
Les Parterres.
The last part of the formal park consists of 9 cultivated squares. It is a more structured area organised into a series of themed spaces. These include a vegetable garden beside the former Bercy wine cellars, an orchard marked by a tall red brick chimney and planted with around 400 vines, and a formal arrangement of gardens such as the rose garden, bulb garden, fragrance garden, and a small labyrinth. At its heart stands the Gardening House and greenhouse, forming the focal point of this section These extend to the edge of the last part of the park 'Les Grandes Pelouses'. Les Grandes Pelouses.
The large lawns (Les Grandes Palouses),form the most open part of the park. This is the large space for walking, relaxing, and informal recreation. Set slightly apart from the lawns stands the striking building by Frank Gehry, originally designed for the American Center in 1994 and now home to the Cinémathèque Française, If you enter the park from this end you will see it carousel tucked in the corner.wThis part of the park is also the pedestrian entry point for 'La gare routière de Bercy-Seine' (bus station) which unless you really have to use it should be avoided,one of the worst kept facilities in the city. The park finishes on the steps of the Accor Arena (formerly Palais Omnisports de Bercy). Located along the banks of the Seine, Parc de Bercy was designed by architects Bernard Huet, Madeleine Ferrand, Jean-Pierre Feugas and Bernard Leroy, together with landscape architects Ian Le Caisne and Philippe Raguin.
It is one of the more modern parks in Paris, with a layout that reflects the history of the area. A Local Park with a Relaxed FeelParc de Bercy feels less touristy than many central green spaces of Paris. It is used mainly by locals, families, and office workers from nearby developments.
You will often find:
Echoes of the Wine TradeBercy’s history is never far away. The park incorporates:
Why visit Parc de BercyParc de Bercy offers something different from the classic Paris park experience. It combines history, modern design and space to relax in a way that feels more contemporary.
If you are exploring eastern Paris maybe visiting Bercy Village,or Musée des Arts Forains, or simply looking for somewhere quieter to unwind, this park is well worth adding to your itinerary. Some Blog Posts about the Parc de BercyExplore More Paris Parks
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