La Petite Ceinture: Paris's Secret Railway Walk
La Petite Ceinture is the abandoned 19th-century ring railway that once circled Paris, now partly reclaimed by nature and opened as wild, atmospheric walking paths. Several sections are free, open during daylight, and almost always quiet, a green secret hiding in plain sight across the city's edges.
In Hidden Gems in Paris · 15th · Last updated 2 June 2026
- An abandoned ring railway reclaimed as overgrown green walkways
- Free to enter, with open sections in the 15th, 12th, 16th and beyond
- Wild nature, old tracks and graffiti just minutes from busy streets
- A quiet, local-feeling alternative to central Paris's crowds
What is La Petite Ceinture
La Petite Ceinture, the little belt, is the ring railway that once encircled Paris inside the old city walls. Built in the 19th century, it carried passengers and freight around the capital before falling out of regular use, leaving a loop of cuttings, embankments, bridges and tunnels threaded through the arrondissements.
Left to itself for decades, the line was slowly taken over by grasses, wildflowers, brambles and self-seeded trees. In recent years the city has opened several stretches to the public as walking paths, where the old rails and ballast still run beneath your feet and nature has been allowed to do much as it pleases.
Walking La Petite Ceinture in Paris
The reclaimed sections are spread around the edge of the city rather than joined into one continuous route. A well-known stretch runs through the 15th arrondissement, with further open paths in areas such as the 12th and the 16th, each with its own character and entrances at street level or via small stairways.
Walking La Petite Ceinture feels less like visiting a sight and more like slipping behind the scenes of Paris. You pass overgrown platforms, mossy stone, the occasional tunnel mouth and walls covered in street art, with the hum of the city kept at a comfortable distance. It is flat, easy and genuinely peaceful.
Why it stays a hidden gem
Because the open sections are scattered and lightly signposted, most visitors never find them and many Parisians treat them as a neighbourhood secret. There is no ticket, no grand gateway and no headline monument, so the railway slips off the usual tourist map entirely.
That is exactly its charm. If you want an hour of wild green calm away from the queues, pick one accessible stretch, check that it is open, and simply wander. It costs nothing and rewards you with a side of Paris few travellers ever see.
Know before you go
- Check which section is currently open before you set out, as access can change.
- Wear sturdy shoes, the paths are unpaved with old ballast underfoot.
- Go by daylight and combine your walk with the surrounding neighbourhood.
Where La Petite Ceinture is
Tours and experiences near La Petite Ceinture
Loading live experiences…
Experiences and prices provided by Viator. Booking completes on viator.com.
Where to stay near La Petite Ceinture
Stay in 15th to reach La Petite Ceinture on foot. Compare live prices across 70+ booking sites, set by the partner, not by Buktrip.
La Petite Ceinture: frequently asked questions
What is La Petite Ceinture in Paris?
La Petite Ceinture is the abandoned 19th-century ring railway that once circled Paris. Several sections have been reclaimed by nature and opened as free, wild walking paths through arrondissements such as the 15th.
Do you need tickets for La Petite Ceinture?
No. There are no La Petite Ceinture tickets. The open walking sections are free public paths that you simply walk into during daylight hours.
Where can you visit La Petite Ceinture?
You can visit La Petite Ceinture at several reclaimed stretches around the edge of the city, including a popular section in the 15th arrondissement and further paths in areas such as the 12th and the 16th.
What are the La Petite Ceinture hours?
The open sections are generally accessible during daylight hours every day. Because access arrangements can change, it is worth checking the current status of your chosen stretch before visiting.
Is La Petite Ceinture worth visiting?
Yes, if you enjoy quiet, off-the-beaten-track corners. It is free, wonderfully overgrown and peaceful, and offers a glimpse of a wilder, more local Paris away from the crowds.
What things to do are there along La Petite Ceinture in Paris?
Walking is the main draw, taking in old rails, tunnels, wild plants and street art. Many open stretches sit near parks and neighbourhood streets, so you can easily pair the path with a local stroll.
More hidden gems in Paris
Sources and further reading: Wikipedia: Petite Ceinture.