Viaduc des arts

The Viaduc des Arts is a converted train line located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris which is now both a string of workshops for highly skilled artisans and, on the top level, a linear park. It was, formerly, the “Viaduc de Bastille,” for the trains of the Paris-Bastille-Vincennes line.

This re-purposing project was designed by the architec
Patrick Berger
under the direction of the SEMAEST, a private-public consortium for infrastructure development.

The vaults of the Viaduc now host the workshops of artisans working in such diverse areas as glass blowing, furniture manufacturing and jewellery making. Thus, the Viaduc preserves the 12th arrondissement’s tradition of skilled craftsmanship.

The Promenade Plantée is a linear park built on top of the Viaduc.

History

In 1853, the private company “Société de Chemin de Fer Paris Strasbourg” was authorised to build a train line crossing Paris 12th arrondissement from Bastille to Verneuil l’Etang, passing through Vincennes. The project required massive construction work, including tunnels and crossings.

The “Viaduc de la Bastille” — a 1,5 km long viaduct consisting of 64 vaults— was a major part of the overall project. The brick and stone construction is about 10 meters high.

The train line was opened in 1859. It ceased to operate in 1969 after the creation of the RER A regional transport line, into which a part of the original line was integrated. The Paris-Vincennes stretch was completely abandoned (except for the merchandise train station at Reuilly).

In 1979, the APUR (Atelier Parisien d’Urbanisme) was commissioned to rethink the use of the viaduct that follows the Rue de Lyon and the Avenue Daumesnil Along with the choice of replacing the Bastille Station with a new Opera house (Opera Bastille), the decision was taken to re-purpose the railroad line itself into a public park, and to make use of the space under the viaduct’s vaults as places for artisans to work and display their wares. Indeed, the viaduc offered an attractive façade onto the Avenue Daumesnil and its vaults provided useful and unusual spaces is their own right.

In 1983, the plan for the public park - the “Promenade Plantée” - linking Place de la Bastille to Bois de Vincennes was one of the most important projects for the revitalization of the eastern neighbourhoods of Paris. The project was designed by the landscape architect Jacques Vergely and the architect Philippe Mathieux.

In 1988, the design of the architect Patrick Berger was chosen for th
reconversion of the arcades
into a strip of workshops, and the first part of the promenade plantée (from rue Picpus to rue Michel Bizot) was opened one year later. The occupation of the vaults by artisans began in 1994 and was completed in 1997.

The design of the re-purposing project consisted mainly of cleaning the viaduct and closing the vaults with glass walls on their two sides. The central parts of the arches were cleared out in order to add relief in the façade and to allow the shadow of each arch to highlight its curved shape. These changes allowed the 64 vaults (whose sizes vary between 150 and 460 m²) to be converted into a strip of workshops and cafés.

Gallery

File:Viaduc des arts escalier rue de Lyon 2021.jpg, Entry staircase on the rue de Lyon.
File:Viaduc des arts underside.jpg, Street-level view of the Viaduc.
File:Viaduc des Arts Garde républicaine, Paris mars 2014.jpg, View of the ''Garde républicaine'' from the top of the Viaduc.
File:Viaduc des arts dernier arche rue de Rambouillet.jpg, Last vault on the Viaduc at rue de Rambouillet.
File:Viaduc des art arrière 2021.jpg, The backside of the Viaduc at the level of the rue de Rambouillet.
File:P1060258 Paris XII boulevard Daumesnil arcades rwk.JPG, Another view of the Viaduc.
File:L'exposition 3 territoires - Prix Nationaux d'Artisanat, Paris 2011.jpg, A typical view from the inside of one of the vaults.
File:AHK - PARIS INONDE 1910 - Avenue Daumesnil.JPG, The Viaduc and flooding in 1910.

Workshops along the Viaduc des Arts

* Atelier Le Tallec - ''Handmade porcelain decoration'' (1995-2015)
* Atelier Maurice Dupont - ''Music instruments and accessories''
* Silka Design Tzuri Gueta - ''Textile and silicon jewelry''
* Ateliers du Temps Passé - ''Paintings and restoration of art objects ''
* Aurélie Cherell - ''Women's fashion and wedding dresses''
* Créations Cherif - ''Contemporary design furniture''
* Atelier Michel Fey - ''Leather work''
* Le Bonheur des Dames - ''Embroidery work''
* Tissus Malhia Kent - ''Textile making for Haute-Couture''
* Aisthesis - ''Art cabinet making''
* Atelier Guigue Locca - ''Restoration and creation of furniture''
* Roger Lanne Luthier - ''Restoration and creation of violins and cellos''
* Parasolerie Heurtault - Umbrellas and parasol making

Cafés and restaurants

* Viaduc Café
* Restaurant l'Arrosoir

References

External links

{{Commons category
Le Viaduc des Arts Official websitePatrick Berger Official pageSEMAEST Official pageParis Tourism Office on Promenade PlantéeMairie de Paris 12 Official pageAteliers de Paris Official page

Railway bridges in France
Buildings and structures in the 12th arrondissement of Paris
Former railway bridges
Viaducts in France
Cultural venues in Paris