If you’re just joining us on our tour of Paris, feel free to go back and read a few of the previous posts that might be of interest to you. In our last post, we discovered two modern marvels dotting the Parisian cityscape: l’Arche de la Défense and le Centre Pompidou. These sights might not speak to traditionalists or to those captivated by “classic” architecture, but they are an important element of the city’s multi-faceted personality and should be on your itinerary if you want the full Parisian experience.
Today, we will continue our exploration of post-modern Paris by visiting le Parc de la Villette (Villette Park). Described as “[une] espace de détente, lieu de culture et de divertissement,” (a venue for relaxation, culture and entertainment), le Parc de la Villette is in fact the largest urban park in the city stretching over an area of 55 hectares (136 acres). La Villette used to be an abattoir (slaughterhouse) and meat market built in 1867 during the reign of Napoleon III. In 1979, plans were laid out to develop the area into a vast urban park and cultural complex dédié à la musique, la science et la technologie (dedicated to music, science and technology). Like la Basilique du Sacré Cœur and l’Arche de la Défense, un concours international (an international contest) was held to select a forward-thinking and ambitious architect capable of taking on such a formidable project. In 1983, French architect Bernard Tschumi won the competition. It took nearly vingt ans (twenty years) to complete, but the Parc de la Villette has since become a symbol of creativity, modernism and daring architectural achievement.
La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (the City of Sciences and Industry) is one of la Villette’s main attractions and the largest science museum in Europe. It’s an amazing complex featuring exhibitions, libraries, forums, workshops, a submarine, a planetarium and more, all revolving around science. The museum offers plenty of hands-on learning experiences sure to please both children and adults. If you were déçu (disappointed) because you didn’t get to touch the paintings and sculptures of the Louvre or les Invalides, you can get your fill at la Cité. In fact, if you’re visiting Paris avec vos enfants (with your children) and they tired of visiting “old places,” make sure you take some time to visit le Parc de la Villette. The museum is also dedicated to raising awareness of ecological and ethical issues arising from rapid innovation and our adoption of technology.
The Cité is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm. Ticket prices vary depending on what you’d like to visit within the Cité and can be purchased on site or online. There is a tarif réduit (reduced rate) for children under six.
We’ll discover a little more of le Parc de la Villette and its many attractions in our next post, so à bientôt!
