Park La Villette. What can be made from an old slaughterhouse? Parc La Villette in Paris (La Villette) Cinemas Geode, Synax and the submarine Argonaut
Parc La Villette in the 19th arrondissement of Paris is perhaps the most unusual park in the French capital. This is the largest urban park in all of France, which is a symbiosis of ancient buildings from the constructivist era, modern scientific and educational exhibitions, music venues and theme parks with children's playgrounds. The area of La Villette Park is 55 hectares, 35 hectares of which are open spaces. The park was created over 15 years, from 1983 to 1998, on the site of ancient slaughterhouses. Nowadays there is a science museum, a conservatory, a music museum, and concerts and thematic exhibitions are held here.
Bernard Tschumi
Any extraordinary and highly complex object must have an equally extraordinary creator. For La Villette Park, it was the French-Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi, who in 1983 won an international competition to design a new park. The architect, who was very often criticized for sacrificing human needs to artificial and far-fetched intellectual goals, created a park that equally praises man and modern architecture.
The key word in the idea of the park is “meeting”. There are old and new buildings, people and architecture, water, plants and minerals, closed and open spaces.
The same idea is served by modern gazebos and meeting places - pavilions called “folies”, which are located at the intersection of the vertical and horizontal axes of the park. Each gazebo is the same size, 10.8 x 10.8 m, painted red, but the design of each is unique.
Attractions
The main attractions of La Villette Park are the City of Science and Industry - the largest scientific and educational museum in France, where there is a fully interactive museum exhibition, a spherical Geod cinema, a planetarium and a real French Navy submarine that circled the Earth 10 times along the equator. The town of science and industry is located in the northern half of the park.
The southern half of the park is dedicated to music. Here is the City of Music (Cite de la musique), which includes several musical institutions. This is a concert hall with 800 seats, a music museum with one of the largest collections of musical instruments, a summer amphitheater and halls for temporary exhibitions. Here, in the southern part of La Villette Park, is the Paris Conservatory, a higher educational institution where musicians and dancers study.
Walking through the park, you will definitely pay attention to the themed gardens, located mainly in the central part of it. These gardens were the idea of Bernard Tschumi, as a symbiosis of different natural areas. You will see:
- bamboo garden, which contains more than 30 types of bamboo. The garden is located below ground level, which creates a special microclimate and protection from the wind;
- the rope garden is a huge area filled with all kinds of sports equipment;
- the garden of children's fears is an array of green and blue spruce trees, unusual music that flows from barely visible metal posts, a path between the spruce trees - all this should revive in adults memories of childhood, when we were all afraid to walk through the gloomy forest;
- the dragon garden is a huge children's play complex made in the shape of a dragon's body;
- The passenger park is one of the latest innovations at Parc La Villette. This garden is dedicated to ecology; here city residents can see vegetable and flower crops and communicate with gardeners.
Prices
Entrance to the park is free for everyone. However, there is a fee for visiting exhibitions, music concerts and events.
It is possible to buy a subscription to attend 3 events during the year and a subscription to all events in the year.
Operating mode
The park is open to the public from 06:00 to 01:00. Permanent exhibitions are open from 10:00 to 19:00.
Opening hours of temporary exhibitions on the official website
Two objects have their own visiting schedule:
- The Passenger Gardens (Les jardins passagers) are open from May to September, Saturday and Sunday from 15:00 to 19:00;
- The Garden of Winds and Dunes (Le jardin des vents et des) is open from April to October from 10:00 to 20:00. From November to March - on weekends.
How to get there
Parc La Villette is located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. This is not the city center and it is recommended to get here by public transport. Using a special service on the official website of Paris public transport, you can plan your route by public transport from anywhere in the city.
Metro
The easiest and most convenient way to get to La Villette Park is by metro. There are 2 stations located here on different sides of the park.
- Porte de la Villette station (line 7) in the northern part of the park, exit to the City of Science and Industry;
- Porte de Pantin station, line 5 in the southern part of the park, exit to the concert halls.
By bus
Bus stops are also located on both sides of the park - on the north and south. In the north there is a public transport stop - Villette. Buses 139, 150, 152 stop here.
On the south side there is the Pantin stop, buses 75, 151.
By tram
The T3b tram actually runs from the center of Paris, from the XXI arrondissement from Place de la Nation. The tram route circles the park, stopping at Porte de Pantin and Villette.
By taxi
There is no uniform color for taxi cars in Paris, however, on the roofs of all official taxis there is a glowing sign with the inscription Taxi Parisien.
Taxis can be taken at stands located near attractions and transport hubs. In addition, there are taxi machines on the streets - you just need to press a button and the nearest car will come to you. Taxi apps available in Paris: LeCab, Heetch, Le Taxi, G7 Taxi.
The minimum cost for a taxi is 7 euros (even if the meter shows less). The cost of boarding is 2.6 euros. The cost per kilometer is from 1.07 euros.
The closest taxi rank to the park is located near the northern exit.
Take a stroll through La Villette Park using Google Panoramas
Video tour of the Parisian park La Villette
Center La Villette in Paris(La Villette) is the largest technical cultural and educational complex in Europe, it is a super modern and super exciting place for children and a real find for parents!
City of Science and Industry
City of Science and Industry ( Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie), three times the size of , was built on the site of old concrete slaughterhouses on the north side of the Ourcq canal. And, undoubtedly, it has become the most amazing building in Paris over the past two decades, where lovers of modern architecture should visit at least to inspect its stainless steel and glass interior, with original cantilevered platforms.
Constant museum exhibition Explor located on the top two floors and is a large playground (9 thousand sq.m.), where all aspects of scientific thought are demonstrated - from flights into outer space to the world of microbes.
The exhibition has 18 sections with interactive exhibits:
Cars are the most modern simulators for kids,
Aeronautics - models of modern aircraft, for example the Mirage IV bomber,
Biology,
Mountains and volcanoes,
Life and health,
Stars and galaxies - astronomical gallery,
Sound – games with sound effects,
Play of light is one of the most attractive sections for children with demonstrations of various optical effects,
Computer techologies,
Space – a walk on the Moon, a visit to the space station, 
Mathematics,
Medicine - let the kids take a stethoscope and “examine” the patient,
Images – here you can try yourself as a representative of different professions,
Ocean - there is a submarine here that can dive to a depth of 600m,
Environment,
Planetarium,
Garden of the future,
Expression and behavior - it is interesting to know how you appear to other people,
Energy – steam engines and other turbomachines.
Unfortunately, many explanatory signs are in French.
There is also a separate Planetarium. Visiting it is organized in sessions (300 people each), you are invited to “walk” across the night sky and look at the constellations and planets. Entrance to the Planetarium is for a fee.
Children's Town (Cite des Enfants)
Little ones are not ignored either - it was created for them. Playground. This is a museum of science and nature for children from 3 to 12 years old. There is something here to suit both the little ones and primary schoolchildren (various games are offered for them).
“Learning science” takes place here by interacting with robots, pumps and gears, working on a children's “construction site” or in a darkroom. Knowledge of French is not necessary - everything is already clear.
And “nature” is represented here by a greenhouse and butterflies.
There are instructors on the site, but children unaccompanied by adults are not allowed here.
The visit takes place in “sessions” lasting one and a half hours (on vacation days - 1 hour 15 minutes).
Tuesday – Friday: sessions at 9:45, 11:30, 13:30, 15:15.
Saturday - Sunday: sessions at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:30.
Other things to do in La Villette
Cinema Geode
A huge shining metal ball attracts the unconditional attention of visitors to the La Villette center in Paris. Here, IMAX 3D films are shown on a spherical screen inside.
Cinema Louis Lu-miere
Documentaries about nature and science are shown here, as well as cartoons with three-dimensional images.
Cinema Cinaxe
Absolutely realistic effect of diving to the bottom of the ocean - three-dimensional image and seats with hydraulic cylinders.
Aquarium
Marine inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea - more than 200 species of fish, crayfish, mollusks and algae
Also on the territory of La Villette, temporary exhibitions on the latest achievements of science and natural wonders are constantly held.
Website http://www.cite-sciences.fr (link in Russian)
Opening hours:
Explora: Tuesday – Sunday 9.30-18.00 (Sunday until 19.00)
Geode: Tuesday - Saturday from 10.30 to 20.30 and sometimes on Mondays.
Address 30 Av Corentin Cariou, XIX
Metro Porte de la Vilette (line 7)
La Villette is the largest park in Paris. It is notable not only for its size (35 hectares), but also for the fact that the stars of modern architecture contributed their talent to its appearance. They built the most famous cultural centers: the City of Science and Industry, the Paris Conservatory of Music and Dance, three huge concert halls, the City of Music with a museum of ancient musical instruments.
Here, on the north-eastern outskirts of Paris, a huge slaughterhouse and a wholesale meat market were located since the 19th century, built during the time of Napoleon III. In 1974, they were removed from here and a competition was announced for the best use of the territory. It was won by Bernard Tschumi, a preacher of “architectural futility” and a participant in the 1968 Paris student uprising. He put forward and implemented the idea of an avant-garde, dynamic and active park.
The park opened in 1987 and very quickly became a popular attraction in Paris, a center of attraction for Parisians and tourists. Up to 10 million people visit it every year. Many world-class cultural events take place here. The park itself attracts with its “architectural follies” inspired by the postmodern idea of deconstructivism. It was in this vein that the best architects of our time worked here, developing Tschumi’s design - Christian de Montzamparc, Adrien Fencilbert, Jean-Paul Morel, Jean Nouvel.
For example, in 1995, the City of Music opened in La Villette, consisting of a concert hall, an amphitheater, a music museum, exhibition halls and workshops. The complex was designed by Christian de Montzamparc, famous for his works in New York, Berlin, and Luxembourg. Now in La Villette the construction of the Paris Philharmonic with a classical and jazz music hall with 2,400 seats is being completed. The hall is designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Jean Nouvel.
The park is crossed by the Ourcq Canal, which supplies Paris with about half of the water it needs. You can rent a boat and take a ride along the canal. If you just walk around the park, you can easily spot ten themed gardens. In the Dragon Garden there is a thirty-meter steel dragon - children love it very much. The outstanding French landscape artist Alexander Shemetov created a bamboo garden here, unusual even for Paris.
It is impossible to get lost in the huge park: thirty-five extravagant, brightly painted structures, which are called “foolies,” are visible from everywhere. But for tourists who have lost each other, this is quite useful stupidity.
The French are true connoisseurs of natural beauty. Even today, ordinary Parisians love to grow flowers on their balconies, and their wealthy compatriots have sponsored the appearance for centuries. Thanks to such efforts, the French capital is interesting not only for its historical buildings and various museums, but also for its numerous parks.
Some of them originated during the monarchy. Having visited Buttes Chaumont and other examples of landscape art, any tourist will want to see something unusual, look at the creations of modern science and technology. In this case, La Villette, the largest park in Paris (55 hectares), opened in 1986, would be a suitable place.
Science City and Music City in La Villette Park
35 hectares of territory La Villette Park occupy green spaces. The rest of the territory is a variety of entertainment and educational facilities and complexes, including the Town of Science and Industry (this is Naukograd) and the Museum of Music, better known as Musicograd.
City of Science and Industry La Villette
The City of Science and Industry is one of the five most visited cultural institutions in France. It is a real museum center, which 
comprises:
- Museum of Science and Industry,
- attraction Synax,
- Planetarium,
- submarine Argonaut,
- Explora exhibition hall.
To visit each of them, you will have to spend a whole day in the park, but you are unlikely to regret it. After all, only here can you hear Schrödinger’s cat crying, the Mona Lisa speaking, and the well-known Belka and Strelka barking. And all this at the same time. In addition, in Gorodok you can, like an astronaut, soar in zero gravity, imagine that you are on Mars and hanging there, and much, much more.
The building itself of this attraction can delight you. This structure has voluminous transparent glass walls, at the top of which there is a dark blue steel lattice. At first it may seem that it is very massive and rough, but once you find yourself in the middle, you quickly begin to realize that you are in a spacious place, full of sunlight.
Museum of Science and Industry (des Sciences et de l’Industrie)
The Museum of Science and Industry is located in the central part of La Villette Park in Paris. The museum has a permanent exhibition called "Explora". It consists of several sections. Among them: “Industry”, “Mathematics”, “Media of Communication”, “Living World”, “Universe”. In addition, this place is often chosen to host temporary thematic exhibitions.
Cinema GéodeLa Geode looks absolutely unusual in appearance; it has a spherical shape and from the outside looks more like a shiny drop of mercury. The largest screen in Europe and powerful sound equipment, which has no analogues, make the cinema popular not only among lovers of good films in the IMAX video format, but also among those who want to see an unusual spectacle.
Cinema Louis Lumière
Located on the first floor of the building. Here you can watch a stereoscopic film in 3D. A new session starts approximately twice an hour.
The themes of the films shown in this cinema hall are mainly scientific. It’s worth a visit just to compare the general spirit of the hall with the atmosphere of the Geode cinema and to feel the difference between the technologies used in these facilities of the City of Science and Industry.
Children's science and entertainment center
A place where every child can feel like a jet pilot, an astronaut or, for example, a submarine captain. In addition, scientific and educational experiments are conducted for children, in which little children from 5 to 12 years old have the opportunity to independently take an active part. They themselves turn the generator handle and thus light a light bulb or boil a kettle, study how a stereo effect is created, etc.
Attraction Synax (Le Cinaxe)
It is often called a cinema. In essence, this is true. Visitors to Synax have the opportunity to feel themselves in motion. This effect is possible thanks to the image transmission speed of 30 frames per second. In addition, the seats in the hall move. Thus, a virtual intergalactic excursion became available to every person. Here you will also easily believe that you are going down a hill on a sled.
The sessions are short (only 15 minutes), but quite impressive; you need to have nerves of steel to pass this test with dignity.
Planetarium
Thanks to the ultra-modern sound and video equipment of the Planetarium of the Naukograd Museum, visitors to the park have the opportunity to see the starry sky, unravel its secrets and study not only galaxies, but also individual stars. This is a very interesting, exciting place. Having been there at least once, you will always remember the amazing views and will definitely want to return to the Planetarium to again enjoy the picture of the Universe.
Submarine
In the Town of Science and Industry there is another strange object for a park - a real boat called “Argonaut”. She cruised until 1982 and at one time managed to circle our planet ten times. On its almost 50-meter-long side you can see everything from a real turbine room to torpedo tubes.
Here they will tell you that of the entire crew, only one captain had his own bed and even a separate cabin. Everyone else was forced to huddle on one bed for two or three. The periscope offers views of the green spaces of the park.
Musicograd
Music City (Cité de la Musique)- the name of several musical institutions on the territory of La Villette Park: an amphitheater, a concert hall, exhibitions, halls for clubs and master classes, archives and the Museum of Music. In addition to the fact that in this part of the park there are usually high
Shows and concerts (about 250 per year), it is often used for presentations, filming films and video clips.
Music Museum
The museum has a large collection of musical instruments on 3,000 square meters. Among them there are such unusual ones as lutes from Italy, Flemish harpsichords, crystal flutes, a lyre-flute from 1800 and traditional, but rare and valuable, violins and pianos. With an audio guide you can enjoy the music played by each instrument.
In addition, within the walls of the museum there are screenings of documentaries and lectures on the development of European music, and live concerts by representatives of contemporary art.
Concert hall
Works of various musical genres and eras are performed here, from the Middle Ages to the present day. The events taking place on the stage of the concert hall of the City of Music have long acquired an international character. About 150,000 spectators come here every year. The average attendance rate is about 90%.
The City of Music also offers concerts through its subsidiary, Salle Pleyel. The hall also allows for meetings, symposiums, private concerts, fashion shows and conferences.
Amphitheater
On the territory of the park there is an Amphitheater, which is considered another concert hall, but a small one. There are only 250 seats here. It occupies some 300 square meters and therefore the atmosphere of the hall is special, intimate. The presence of a bar and fireplace also helps to create it. This space is often rented for press conferences and film premieres. Sometimes seminars are held here.
Exhibitions
In addition to the permanent exhibitions of the Museum of Music, Musicograd constantly hosts temporary exhibitions, which can be found on the official website. Many of them have already been shown in other exhibition halls in France and the world, and some debuted for the first time from this place and, thanks to good attendance, have earned quite a reputation. If you have a couple of hours of free time, be sure to attend one of these events.
Mugs
On the territory of Musicograd there are always clubs where people learn musical skills. Their visitors are mostly children. Activities are paid, but this is not an obstacle for attentive parents. There are children's groups in Gorodok from 4 years old. The initial training cycle for them consists of 30 lessons. These children are introduced to various musical instruments and taught to control their own voice.
From the age of 7, members of the circle get acquainted with wind and string instruments and those played in different countries of the world. A circle for adults involves a more detailed study of a certain direction of music or group of instruments, for example, “Large Xylophones of Uganda”, “Percussion of Guadeloupes”, “Percussion of Cubes”, etc.
Archives
At the City of Music, recordings of many musical works are stored within the walls of the archive. Specialists ensure that the temperature and humidity of the premises meet the required standards. This is done in order to preserve the originals for as long as possible. All objects in the archive are structured and presented in an online catalogue, they can be viewed on the official website of Musicograd.
The archive is constantly being replenished, its specialists closely monitor the latest musical instruction. In addition, a media library of music and dance is stored here. Specialists in this part of the City of Music provide digital recordings of works. They are ordered mainly by various organizations, especially educational institutions, which are provided with benefits when paying.
Where are Science City and Music City in La Villette Park and how to get there
Parc La Villette is located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris at 30, avenue Corentin-Cariou.
Official address:
- Music City- 221, avenue Jean-Jaurès,
- Science City- 211 avenue Jean-Jaurès.
Not far from Corentin-Cariou is located Metro station Porte-de-la-Vilette, and from the Museum of Music it is easier to get to the Porte-de-Pantin and Bobigny - Pablo Picasso stations.
They stop near the central entrance of the park. buses No. PC3, 152, 150, 139. Routes 75, 151, PC2 go to the City of Music, and routes 139, 150, 152, PC2 and PC3 go to the City of Science and Industry.
Science City and Music City on the map of Paris:
Park La Villette (French parc de La Villette) is comfortably located in the east of Paris, far from the center. 55 hectares of green park space, filled with a wide variety of entertainment for children and adults. The park is an excellent place to relax. Tourists and simply guests of the city try to visit La Villette with all its attractions. This park is relatively young. It was created under the patronage of the French […]
Parc La Villette (Willet) (fr. parc de La Villette) is comfortably located in the east of Paris, far from the center. 55 hectares of green park space, filled with a wide variety of entertainment for children and adults. The park is an excellent place to relax. Tourists and simply guests of the city try to visit La Villette with all its attractions.
This park is relatively young. It was created under the patronage of French President Mitterrand, and it was conceived as a “park of the 21st century.” The opening took place in 1985. Since then, the park is the largest in France and has become a popular walking place for city residents who come here with families.
Children like La Villette for its pavilions, where you can play around imagining yourself as a submariner, a jet pilot or an astronaut. There are no prohibitory signs or restrictions in the park. Little Parisians and guests of the capital are not stopped by the hands of guards. Children's playgrounds with attractions are scattered among the lawns and green lawns. Children especially enjoy exploring the science and technology town, where they can try and touch everything. La Villette is home to a submarine called the Argonaut. And in the Explora exhibition hall, everyone can get acquainted with the history of aeronautics, automotive industry and astronautics.
Park La Villette (French parc de La Villette)
Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris, FranceTake the metro to Porte de Pantin or Porte de la Villette station
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