The Beltway Trail: La Petite Ceinture (15th Arrondissement)

The Petite Ceinture is a former circular railway line that once encircled Paris, now reclaimed by nature and transformed into a unique urban hiking trail. The section in the 15th arrondissement is one of the most developed and well-known parts of this 'secret' green belt. Walking along the old tracks, hikers are surrounded by wildflowers, heavy vegetation, and remnants of the railway's industrial past. It provides a quiet, elevated escape from the busy city streets below. The trail is flat and easy, making it suitable for all fitness levels and families. It offers a fascinating look at urban ecology and how nature can thrive in a metropolitan environment. The atmosphere is peaceful, slightly nostalgic, and very different from the manicured parks usually found in Paris.