Bercy Village, located in Paris’ 12th district, is a unique mini-village featuring stores, restaurants, a park, and a museum. During the 19th and 20th centuries, this area of Paris hosted the world’s largest wine market. The area was decommissioned in the mid-20th century as the wine business changed. For twenty years the area sat abandoned, but thanks to an urban renewal effort, the former wine cellars were transformed into stores and restaurants. Bercy Park is located just outside the commercial center, as is the Cinémathèque Française. Together, these features make for an enjoyable outing without having to leave Paris.
Browse in the many boutiques
Bercy Village features 39 boutiques, pleasing every kind of shopper. There are clothing stores featuring French designers such as Maje, IKKS, and Sandro, sporting goods stores, and gourmet food shops such as Dammann Frères Tea and La Cure Gourmande (the Gourmet Cure). Many stores at Bercy Village are open on Sundays and national holidays, making it an even more convenient place to go shopping.
It is also here that Europe’s second largest movie theater is located, the UGC Cité Ciné Bercy. There are 18 theaters, so everyone can find a movie to their liking.
Grab a bite at one of the delicious restaurants
After a few hours of shopping, take a break at one of Bercy village’s cafes or restaurants. As with the stores, there is an incredible variety to choose from. For a quick bite, choose the gourmet Erik Keyser bakery, which serves up sweet treats like croissants and eclairs. There are plenty of choices for those looking to sample traditional French dishes, such as La Compagnie des Crêpes (The Crepe Company) where homemade crepes and authentic French apple cider headline the menu. The less adventurous need not fear, as the Frog Pug serves up classics like burgers, salads, and sandwiches, as well as house-brewed beer.
A great feature at Bercy Village is that all restaurants offer outdoor, covered seating. Tents keep diners out of the sun, while fans cool in the summer and heat lamps warm in the winter. In addition to making restaurant browsing easy, this arrangement contributes to a convivial, village-like atmosphere that is difficult to find elsewhere in Paris.
Be sure also to notice the tracks on the cobble-stone path. During the height of the wine-distribution era, these tracks were used to move wine barrels into and out of the area. They were conserved during the revitalization and they contribute to the historical atmosphere.
Enjoy a walk in Bercy Park
After a long day of shopping and eating, take a short walk to Bercy Park, which is located just outside the village. Bercy Park is one of the largest parks in Paris and contains three different garden designs. The Romantic Garden features fishponds for quiet strolls and reflection, the Flowerbeds showcases plant life and a blossoming rose garden, and the Meadows is characterized by grassy open areas and tall trees.
Find also a merry-go-round, volleyball and basketball courts, and the Maison du Jardinage (House of Gardening). The Maison du Jardinage offers professional advice about caring for houseplants and gardening in general.
Bercy Park is a great place to enjoy nature without being surrounded by too many other people, as is common in many of Paris’ parks.
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Discover film history at the Cinémathèque Française
The Cinémathèque Française is part museum, part film library. Here, visitors are invited to explore film history through examining movie equipment, costumes, and props from films such as “Gone with the Wind” and “Psycho”. There are also a variety of films available for viewing and there often temporary exhibitions focused on selected directors or themes.
Paris Tour Guide
Angenic Paris Par Rues Méconnues
Hello everyone, I’m Angénic a tour guide. Well I am not just a tour guide; I am a passionate explorer of Paris’s hidden gems. My dedication is to uncover the city’s lesser-known streets — where ordinary meets extraordinary - for the best travel experiences, because I believe that the best stories are told through the nooks and crannies of the city. Additionally, I meticulously craft my tours to... Read more
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Patricia Aveline
My name is Patricia Bollinger and my family is French. I have always had a passion for art and history and I chose to study them when I went to university. I have been a licensed tour guide for the last 30 years and I work in French, English and Italian. My passion and also as part of my work I travel a lot. For this reason, I have a good idea of visitors expectations. Naturally I want to share... Read more
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Find everything for a great outing at Bercy Village
Make sure to visit Bercy Village to experience a village-like atmosphere within Paris. Find shops, restaurants, a park, and a museum in this frequently overlooked part of Paris. Bercy Village is accessible via subway line 14, stop Cour Saint-Emilion. Stores are open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with restaurants staying open until 2:00 AM.
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