ARSENAL
Located between the Seine and the Bastille, the Arsenal district looks like a peaceful little port, lined with Parisian buildings.
Formerly a cargo port, Arsenal became a marina in 1983 and is connected to the network of Parisian canals. Marked by its coastal atmosphere, its pontoons, its harbor master’s office, its seagulls and its seafood restaurants, it transports us to a completely different universe. Along its banks, we discover pretty gardens with sculptures and flowery pergolas in spring. Designed by landscape architect Serge Eyzat and architect Philippe Mathieux, the garden unfolds in a system of terraces inspired by the South of France. A veritable green amphitheater, this garden, which is very popular with Parisians, is a privileged place to stroll.
On Boulevard Morland, we stop in front of the Pavillon de l’Arsenal, center of urban planning and architecture, inviting us to understand the evolution of Paris and its history on urban planning. Built in 1879, this former gunpowder factory was converted into an archive centre, where you can now admire its permanent collections, its huge model and its temporary exhibitions. The Arsenal pavilion also houses a bookstore dedicated to architecture as well as a huge photo library.
A flagship district of the Capital thanks to its central location near the Seine and the Place de la Bastille where tourists, joggers, residents and workers intermingle in an atmosphere that is both urban and bucolic.
