“Ever tasted wine from Bercy’s historic cellars?” I ask. The Avenue des Terroirs de France stands before us. This isn’t just any Parisian avenue. It’s a testament to Bercy’s rich winemaking past.
For centuries Bercy housed vast wine warehouses. Imagine the aroma of countless barrels. The air thick with the scent of fermenting grapes. This avenue occupies the site of those old warehouses. The name Terroirs de France pays homage to that heritage. It evokes the diverse regions of France famed for their wines.
Avenue des Terroirs de France wasn’t always an avenue. It evolved. Originally it was Rue de la Grange-aux-Merciers. This street bordered the Pâté-Paris park. In 1825 a cavalry barracks was built there. This barracks became part of the expanding Bercy wine depots around 1880.
The area was dramatically restructured around 1990. This was part of the Bercy ZAC urban renewal project. The old depots disappeared. The Cour Nicolas which was an interior street in the wine depot area was absorbed. The new Avenue des Terroirs de France was created. It incorporated parts of the old Cour Nicolas. The name officially appeared through a municipal decree.
Today the avenue is easily accessible. You can reach it by metro. The Cour Saint-Emilion station on line 14 is nearby. Buses 24 109 and 111 also stop there. Plenty of parking is available at the Indigo Saint-Emilion lot. There’s also the Bercy Coach Parking for buses. The Avenue connects various buildings of note including the Musée des Arts Forains. This is a fascinating museum of fairground art. It’s housed in a former wine warehouse. You can even access the private Passage Dubuffet from the avenue.
So take a moment to soak in the atmosphere. Imagine the echoes of the past. The Avenue des Terroirs de France is more than just a street. It’s a living reminder of Bercy’s vibrant history. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of French wine.