Worthwhile ventures Into the Parisian Suburbs.

[tod2]

Very few tourists ever get a glimpse of what lies just beyond the main attractions of the city of Paris. Probably because it is only a week's visit or even shorter. But for regular Paris visits over the last 20 years one gets an urge to venture further afield. Usually it is something that first catches my eye when on my computer. Then a bit of research and eventually a visit to a strange and wonderful area.
This brings me to my find this morning and I thought I would pass it on to the Anyport family. I would also like Kerouac's input to this area of SURESNES.(Like what bus to catch to get there). Walking the Google map I passed the magnificent black and gold gates of the American cemetery.

www.tracesofwar.com/sights/1439/Where-is-Suresnes-American-Cemetery-and-Memorial.htm

The actual thing that got me started looking at Suresnes was the Forte Valerien. The star shape is almost identical the the one in Cape Town and I think one in Wales.
From there I found the Forte D'Issy. Around 2015 it looks as if an entire village of apartments, shops etc., was built in the most amazing architectural shapes. That might bore some people but I would love to take a walk around inside the walls of this most modern place to live.

www.tracesofwar.com/sights/110034/Remains-Fort-dIssy.htm

[tod2]

It has been 2 years since I fell upon some interesting places to visit when tired of continually following the backpack ahead of you.
I continue to click around my key bored finding stuff I will most likely never have time to see but I can dream cant I? This bring me to a street packed with shops and cafe's on both sides. Many seem to have closed permanently but I can bet another has taken its place since Covid knocked us for a six.

The Metro stop is CROIX de CHAVEAUX and is on line 9 - The metro stops in the Commune de Montreuil. I think the area is named Seine-Saint-Denis.
Looks like a short walk from the metro is Av.de la Resistance. On Google you can walk down this narrow street jampacked with shops , restaurant, a butchery, and everything in-between. I think I would really enjoy a walk up and down it.

Kerouac - You are our guiding light when it comes to Paris and its alleys and interesting places away from the tourist crowds. I would really appreciate your views on this area and give us a clue to more like it.

[htmb]

This is a very interesting concept for a thread, Tod. I imagine you’ve enjoyed your “virtual” travels.

Coincidentally, I have taken the Bus 70 towards its terminus of Suresnes de Gaulle several times in the last couple of weeks. The opposite end of the line is at the Hotel de Ville, which is close to where I stay. I haven’t yet made it past the stop Violet, mainly because by that point I’ve gotten a bit “bus weary,” but have found the ride through the 15th Arrondissement section very interesting. Most of it is definitely off the “tourist path.” I suppose I should ride all the way to end one day, however, if I wanted to visit the Suresnes-American-Cemetery, there are quicker routes. I like the bus because I can see more and decide which places I’d like to explore by foot.

Your mention of Montreuil interests me, too. Maybe traveling to the end of Metro Line 9 will be a trip in my future. There are so many directions one could take when discovering Paris and its suburbs. I love the fact that public transportation is readily available and can take me to all kinds of “new” places. Hopefully you will return to Paris soon so you can continue your own explorations.

[kerouac2]

Montreuil is a very interesting suburb. Most of it is working class in the former communist "red belt" around Paris. Many immigrants have moved there in the meantime, which some people would consider to be pulling it down socially, but I would hope that the majority understand that these new arrivals are revitalizing the area. And there are some nice bucolic parts of the city that are attracting "bobos." I confess that I know somebody who is in that category, and I have to admit that her street and house are very appealing, except for the Parisian me which screams "too far from the metro!" I don't even really know how far it is from the metro since I was always directed how to get there while driving a car. Maybe it is only 5 minutes away.

I actually devoted an entire thread to Montreuil once, but it didn't really interest (almost) anyone.

Here it is again anyway: Seeking the elusive beauty of Montreuil (by kerouac2)

And yes, tod2, you made some very nice comments about it back then.

[htmb]

I’ve now returned to Kerouac’s Montreuil thread, linked above. I’d totally forgotten about it, and found it to be very thorough with interesting photos, of course. I think Montreuil will now drop to a lower spot on my “places to visit outside Paris” list. Unless it’s changed a lot in the last few years, it looks to be more interesting on google than actual photos in Kerouac’s report.

[tod2]

Yes, I too read Kerouac's Montreuil thread from top to bottom and recognised the pedestrian market street (Ave. de la Resistance I think). It looks empty and forlorn but have a look at it on Google and its full of people and open shops and cafes. Wonder what it looks like today on a Saturday or Sunday or special market day.....

[kerouac2]

Montreuil has never been high on my list of places to see in the suburbs, but actually there are very few such places. Nethertheless there are dozens of places worthy of "medium" interest, and that is always good to know once one has exhausted the places of interest of Paris.

[tod2]

Kerouac, perhaps you could give us a few good tips of where we could escape to and find something of interest?