Introduction
Begin: RépubliqueEnd: Gare de LyonTime: Approximately two hoursIntroductionOn this walk, you will follow a path that has been taken by French protesters since they tore down the Bastille in 1789. It is now mostly walked by workers’ syndicates protesting government reforms or by minority groups trying to publicize their cause. Sometimes they begin at République, walk to Bastille, cross the river, go down to the place d’Italie, and over to the Champ de Mars. Other times République is the ending point—party and concert included.
#1 Place République côté rue du Faubourg du Temple
Begin the walk at place République côté rue du Faubourg du Temple métro exit. Follow rue du Faubourg du Temple to boulevard Jules Ferry, and cross the street to the left.This is where the canal Saint-Martin goes underground, resurfacing beyond the place de la Bastille, eventually connecting to the Seine.
#2 Canal Saint-Martin
Walk a short distance up the canal. You may even walk over it if you like.The canal Saint-Martin was built between 1802 and 1822 in an effort to bring more fresh water into Paris. Today, it is a favorite walk of Parisians and may be toured by boat (though they move extremely slowly through the canal’s nine locks).
#3 Statue de la République
When you have had your fill of the canal, return to place de la République the same way you came (via the rue du Faubourg du Temple).The statue République at the center of the place de la République was built in 1883 and symbolizes the French Republic, restored for a third time in 1870. At the base of the statue, you will see relief sculptures depicting significant historical events that led to the Third Republic: the Tennis Court Oath, marking the start of the revolution; the taking of the Bastille; the Republican troops’ victory at Valmy; the 1830 July Revolution; the proclamation ending slavery; and the first national holiday—14 July 1880.The female statue, named Marianne, stands atop the French motto; “Liberté-Égalité-Fraternité” meaning ”Liberty-Equity-Brotherhood.”Further down, you'll see the dedication—"A la gloire de la République Française- La Ville de Paris- 1883 - To the Glory of the French republic- The city of Paris- 1883."
#4 Boulevard du Temple
Make your way around to boulevard du Temple at the south end of the place de la République.Boulevard du Temple is named after the medieval Templars who owned much of the land in this area until King Philippe the fair (le bel) took it from them in 1307. The boulevard itself is built on the former enclosure of Charles V (built from 1676–1706). The first French théâtre fixe (a permanent theatre that did not travel with the actors from village to village) was built on this boulevard but was torn down in the late-nineteenth century. Number 42 boulevard du Temple was once the home of Gustave Flaubert, the nineteenth-century French novelist who wrote Madame Bovary.
#5 Place de la Bastille
If you are still feeling revolutionary, keep walking. If you have worn out your vocal chords chanting protests, feel free to take the métro the rest of the way to the Bastille (from the métro stop Filles du Calvaire take Line 8, direction Pointe du Lac, and get off at the Bastille stop).Place de la Bastille is named for the fortress turned prison that once stood on this site. Revolutionaries seeking to free citizens imprisoned by the crown stormed the Bastille on 14 July 1789; they killed the prison guards and freed all seven of the prisoners. At the end of the year, Parisians returned to the prison and took it apart one brick at a time. Models of the original Bastille are on display in the Musée Carnavalet in the Marais.The Collonne de Juillet, built in 1833, now stands on the site honoring those who fought and died during the July Revolution of 1830. The remains of over five hundred victims of the revolutions of 1830 and 1848 rest in the statue’s base. The gilded bronze statue on the top of the column is called le Génie de la Liberté (the Genie of Liberty).The massive glass building on Place de la Bastille is the newest of Paris’s opera houses. It opened in 1989, two hundred years after the storming of the Bastille. The Opéra Bastille stages huge spectacles, primarily operas and ballets.
#6 Viaduc des Arts
Continue around the Opéra Bastille on rue de Lyon, then veer left onto avenue Daumesnil. This avenue stretches along the Viaduc des Arts. Go up the stairs on your left if you want to go to the elevated, planted walkway, or stay on the sidewalk if you want to see the shops under the arcades.The Viaduc des Arts originally supported a railroad (built in 1859); however, in 1994, it was transformed into a planted walkway above and a series of artisan shops below. You might see workers blowing glass, making cloth, or carving furniture.
The End
When you have finished, the boulevard Diderot (toward the Seine) takes you to Gare de Lyon, where you will pick up the métro (Lines 1 and 14) or the RER (Lines A and D).After the WalkIf you have time, you might go in and look more carefully at some of the products along the Viaduc des Arts. Remember to ask Vous permettez? or Je peux? before you touch. If you plan ahead, you might be able to get in to see a ballet or opera at the Opéra Bastille. Tickets may be purchased online (http://www.operadeparis.fr) or at the opera house.
