Imagine a green ribbon unfurling across eastern Paris. That is Les Grands Chemins. It links parks and green spaces. It offers a breath of fresh air in the city. Les Grands Chemins is more than just a path. It is an ambitious project. It aims to bring nature back into the urban environment.
Les Grands Chemins is a project led by Est Ensemble. This green loop covers 55 km. Thirty-six kilometers are in Est Ensemble. Nineteen kilometers stretch through Paris. Fontenay-sous-Bois and Rosny-sous-Bois are also part of it. It connects the green areas of eastern Paris.
Les Grands Chemins, the green loop of eastern Paris. It is an ambitious project. It aims to restore public spaces. Parks and green spaces are linked. Est Ensemble, Paris, Fontenay-sous-Bois and Rosny-sous-Bois are working together. Its vast size and complex urban planning mean it will take years to complete. The development is happening in phases. A schedule is being developed. This project showcases the tourist ambition of eastern Paris. It is shown through its many projects.
This walkway connects all the towns. It links 220 hectares of open green space. This is within Est Ensemble. It connects with Paris. Rosny-sous-Bois and Fontenay-sous-Bois are included. It will provide space to relax and enjoy. It increases greenery along the route. It makes it easier to get around on foot or by bike. It enhances the landscape. It highlights viewpoints. New leisure and local spaces are being created.
Four key sites highlight Les Grands Chemins. First, there is the green loop itself. This ecological walk spans 42 km. It has panoramic views. You can see the metropolitan landscape of the Romainville plateau. It will be equipped for cultural activities. Ecological and sports activities can be enjoyed.
Second, temporary installations dot Les Grands Chemins. Promontories offer views of the landscape. There are seats and platforms. Work began in September 2023 on a pilot section. It is 500m long. It is located on Avenue du Président Robert Schuman in Les Lilas.
Third, La Grande Rando and the Trail des Hauteurs are key events. They revolve around the green loop. These friendly gatherings let you discover the Parc des Hauteurs. They promote gentle travel.
Fourth, a temporary plant nursery in Montreuil aims to produce trees. These 3,500 trees will landscape the Promenade. This site will also raise awareness. Educational activities will be used.
Walks and hikes are available. You can explore the green loop on foot or by bike.
Since 2018, La Grande Rando has been held every September. In 2023, it was renamed La Grande Rando du Grand Chemin. It was formerly known as La Grande Rando du Parc des Hauteurs.
The Plateau de Romainville is east of Paris. It is often called the “plateau of 10 municipalities.” This term is not often used. But it better reflects the size of this area. It goes beyond administrative boundaries. The plateau spans three departments. These are Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne. It includes 10 municipalities. The slopes of this plateau have many green spaces. They offer beautiful views of the surrounding area.
The Romainville plateau is mainly made of marl and clay. This forms a remnant butte. This gypsum massif has four masses of varying thickness. They are separated by layers of clayey marl. Below the top layer of limestone is a layer of marl. This marl is rich in gypsum. These marl layers appear in several places. They are on the slopes of the plateau. They are accessible from the surface. This accessibility made it easier to dig quarries. They extracted gypsum. Louis XIV ordered it to be used to plaster wooden houses in Paris. This was to prevent fires.
The underground galleries of the gypsum quarries do not help construction. This explains the many green spaces around the edge of the plateau. These spaces vary greatly. There are landscaped parks and squares. Some areas are being developed. There are also cemeteries.
This ambitious project will create an ecological walk. It will link these green spaces and preserved heritage sites. Today they are fragmented. It will form a 42 km loop and two north-south cross paths. The goal is to create a natural urban park. It will cover 220 hectares of open space.
Leisure areas and sports facilities will be available. Cycle paths and many other amenities will be offered. This loop, “la Grande Promenade des Hauteurs,” will run from park to park. This development will be an urban feat. It will offer stunning views of Greater Paris. It will also be a path for locals and tourists. It offers a new view of these areas. It strengthens the tourist and heritage attractions around the Butte. The Père-Lachaise Cemetery is nearby. The Cité jardin du Pré-Saint-Gervais is close. The Canal de l’Ourcq flows nearby.