around Place de la Bastil le 1Coulée Verte René Dumont and Viaduc des Arts The Avenue Daumesnil offers plenty of surprises. Above its arches, along a former railway track, you can now stroll along a planted walkway that is a popular spot with joggers. Under the vaults stretches the Via- duc des Arts. Here, you can visit the studios of any one of the craft workers and design- Place ers, open to the public. Several restaurantswith terraces. de la Bastille www.leviaducdesarts.com1-129 av. Daumesnil (12th).M Bastille.o At the centre of this square stands the July column, whose lower parts will be open to visitors in 2019. The monument commemo- rates the revolution of 1830, but the square is well-known for another revolution, that of 1789. At this time, it was occupied by the Bastille prison, a symbol of the abso- lute power of the Ancien Régime. Nothing remains of this prison destroyed shortly after the French Revolution. Today, the square is a stage for major popular events — 2Cinémathèque Française concerts, fairs, public marches and demon- In a building designed by American archi- strations — and a meeting-up point for night tect Frank O. Gehry, discover a museum owls who frequent the surrounding bars and devoted to the history of cinema, with tem- restaurants, in particular those in Rue de porary exhibitions, auditoriums and a gift la Roquette. The square is also the start- and bookshop. On your way out, enjoy a stroll ing point for a stroll through the Faubourg in the Parc de Bercy where you will be sur- Saint-Antoine, exploring picturesque spots prised by its vines, romantic garden, Maison such as the Passage du Chantier, the Cour du Lac and Maison du Jardinage. de l’Étoile d’Or or the Cour des Trois Frères. 51 rue de Bercy (12th). M Bercy.o The Opéra Bastille remains the district’s 01 71 19 33 33. Daily: 12 noon-7pm, except landmark monument. Designed by architect Tues, 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec and Aug. Permanent Carlos Ott, this marvellous work of modern collections/full rate: €5. Temporary exhibitions: architecture with transparent facades was rates vary. www.cinematheque.fr inaugurated the day of the bicentenary of the French Revolution. During the day, it is possible to visit the public foyers, the audi- torium with its exceptional acoustics and backstage areas. • OPÉRA BASTILLE – OPÉRA NATIONAL DE PARIS: Place de la Bastille (12th). M Bastille.o 0 892 89 90 90 (€0.35/min). Guided tours only, from Sept to mid-July. Closed 1 Jan and 1 May. Full rate: €15. www.operadeparis.fr/visites SOUTH-EAST PARIS 63