Paris is a magnificent city bursting with things to see and do. There are so many monuments, activities, events, shops, etc. that you won't know where to turn during your stay! That's why we've put together the Urban Bivouac Paris City Guide, to help you discover our magnificent city.

We've put together a guide full of tips, good ideas and useful addresses to help you discover lots of things in our district and, more generally, in Paris. This guide will also give you lots of tips on how to navigate this lively city.

Discover the Paris Bercy district

Discover the Paris Bercy district

Categories : City Guide, published on : 2/13/25

The southeast of Paris is becoming more and more prominent. Trendy new places are blooming on both sides of the Seine, from the Gare district in the 13th arrondissement to Bercy in the 12th. Sports, walks, discoveries, culture, restaurants, just a few minutes from Urban Bivouac hotel, follow the guide.

Sporting Activities Around Bercy

The Bercy area itself is a vast sports playground. If you're looking to swim, you must check out the Josephine Baker floating pool on the banks of the Seine. If you're into skateboarding, scootering, rollerblading, etc., you'll find everything you need at the Bercy Skatepark, located just behind the Bercy Arena. Basketball fans can shoot some hoops and find partners for a game under the Chevaleret metro station.

Discovering the Bercy Park

Discover the beautiful Bercy Park, a vast green space of 14 hectares located by the Seine on the site of former wine warehouses. One of the most beautiful parks in Paris, but also one of the least known. It features multiple thematic areas for relaxing walks: a romantic garden with pools, a vegetable garden, a rose garden, a fragrance garden, a garden house, and even old vineyards.

Right next door, on the Cour Saint-Emilion, is a cobblestone courtyard lined with 46 fully renovated old wine cellars. This space, the last vestige of Bercy's warehouses, now houses Bercy Village, a pedestrian area where you can shop, go to the cinema, have lunch on a terrace, or enjoy free exhibitions and events such as the "music on the terrace" festival, every Thursday during the summer.

Eating Out in Bercy

Several great restaurants have opened their doors between Bercy and the Gare district. Those who enjoy organic food will be spoilt for choice. Yuman and M.O.B (Cité de la Mode) are two trendy restaurants right now. Street Food is also celebrated in the area, especially around MK2 Bibliothèque. In the 12th arrondissement, the Chai 33 bar-restaurant, in the heart of Bercy Village, is known to be a paradise for wine lovers, with a selection of no less than 300 wines. Bagel, bowl, and salad lovers will find their joy near Urban Bivouac, at Popote & Papote (just a few minutes from Bercy by foot, metro, or direct buses).

Shopping in Bercy

If you're planning a shopping spree, head to Bercy Village. As mentioned earlier, this neighborhood was built on the site of former wine warehouses. It has been transformed into an open-air shopping mall. Don't hesitate to explore the trendy shops along the quays as well.

Bercy, Cultural Discoveries

The contemporary art hub in Bercy is Rue Louise-Weiss, which was filled with galleries until the late 1990s. Many have moved, but you can still discover works from some of the most promising artists in Paris at Air de Paris or Triple V. At the Cité de la Mode et du Design, you can discover young fashion designers. It's a must-see spot in Paris. Further down, on Rue Hélène-Brion, if you're into graffiti and street art, stop by the Mathgoth gallery. Don't forget to venture deeper into the 13th arrondissement of Paris, the mecca of the city's street art scene. And if you're looking for some peace and a good read, cross the Seine to the 13th arrondissement and visit the stunning Bibliothèque François Mitterrand (BNF), which not only has an outstanding collection but also remarkable contemporary architecture.

The Streets of Bercy

In Bercy, you quickly move from one extreme to the other. In Bercy, you're also immersed in an ultra-modern world, and you can't miss the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the AccorHotels Arena, or the Cinémathèque Française, which also features a beautiful building to see. To cross over to the Left Bank of the Seine, take the Simone de Beauvoir pedestrian bridge leading to the Bibliothèque nationale de France, a magnificent modern building with 4 towers shaped like half-open books.

Further along, by the Seine towards Gare d'Austerlitz, you'll encounter the most striking landmark in the area: Les Docks – Cité de la Mode et du Design.

Going Out in Bercy

The neighborhood offers very pleasant spots to spend an evening. Most of Bercy's nightlife establishments are a mix of bar, restaurant, and club. They welcome you after work and stay open late into the night. Between the Pont Tolbiac and Pont de Bercy, you can also visit one of the many barges offering the same type of setup where you can eat, drink, and dance. Batofar, La Dame de Canton, and Le Petit Bain are undoubtedly some of the most famous. Otherwise, at the Cité de la Mode et du Design, you’ll find Communion, Wanderlust, or Café Oz Rooftop, popular spots with both Parisians and tourists alike.

Looking for a Hotel Near Bercy? Urban Bivouac, Of Course!

If you're looking to discover the Bercy neighborhood or need to head there for a meeting or event, stay at the 3-star Urban Bivouac hotel, located just across the Seine in the 13th arrondissement.

It will take you only about 20 minutes on foot. Bercy Village is 1.7 km from the hotel. Metro or bus access is also direct from the Olympiades stations, just outside the hotel. You can also easily get there or back on a Velib', with stations available on both sides of the Seine.

For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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