How to Visit Bercy Village, Paris
Last Updated on 1st March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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One of the more fun and interesting places to visit in the 12th arrondissement is Bercy Village, a wine production complex turned shopping district and eatery in the East of Paris. Here’s how to visit Bercy Village in Paris as well as travel tips and a quick history.
Bercy Village is best-known as an urban renewal pedestrian only shopping village, though it also boasts a fairground museum, a sprawling park, and even a cinema. During the festive season, Bercy also happens to be one of the top locations to enjoy Christmas lights in Paris.
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A history of Bercy Village
During the 19th century and on to the early 20th-century, the area that is now Bercy Village was home to one of the largest wine markets in Paris (and indeed the entirety of Europe). Vestiges of the past are still visible amongst the former pavilions today in the form of the railroad track that once transported wine from the River Seine to the warehouses.
The white stone buildings you see today were formerly all used to store wine and Bercy has been registered as a French historical monument since 1986. In 2002, following an intense renovation project, Bercy Village was once more opened to the public and today boasts around thirty stores and restaurants.
The pedestrian street is paved with cobblestones and is a single street which is lined either side with former single storey warehouses that have since been transformed into eateries and brand name stores as well as concept stores.
Things to do in Bercy Village
Eat and drink
Of course, one of the main draws of Bercy Village is its plethora of eateries which are perfect for grabbing drinks with friends or alternatively sitting down for a full meal. We personally enjoyed food and drinks at Hanoï Cà Phê Bercy.
Shop
Eating and drinking aside, the other highlight of the centre of Bercy Village itself is the shopping opportunities. From home wares to clothing and even leisure and beauty supplies, there are a plethora of stores to shop in.
Musée des Arts Forains
Hands down, one of the most unusual (and undoubtedly one of the most fun) museums in Paris is the fairground museum of the 12th arrondissement. The museum is located a few minutes walk from Bercy Village and is also housed within former wine warehouses.
The museum is privately owned and was created by Jean Paul Favand, who spent over three decades putting together the collection. The museum is available to visit by guided tour only (you have to book your tickets in advance) and you’ll even get to ride on some of the former merry go rounds.
Parc de Bercy
Those wishing to head into nature and enjoy a green space should be sure to head into the adjacent Parc de Bercy, which is even home to a secret vineyard. The park comprises of three different gardens which are centred around different themes.
Highlights of the Parisian park include the Maison du Jardinage (a place for amateurs and experts to learn about gardening), the rose garden, and many ponds, secret gardens, and lovely walkways.
Watch a film at the UGC cinema
What is particularly special about the cinema close to Bercy Village is that movie-goers can watch films in their original language (V.O. means version originale). Known as UGC Cine Cite Bercy in French, the cinema boasts 18 rooms and over 4000 seats.
How to visit Bercy Village
The easiest way to get to Bercy Village is to take the line 14 to Cour Saint-Emilion, which is quite literally only steps away from the village. The line 14 is the newest metro line in Paris and is well connected to many of the main metro lines that serve Paris and its surrounding suburbs.
Bercy Village is open from 10 AM to 2 AM on a daily basis (even on a Sunday in Paris), though obviously some times are more popular than others! The village gets particularly popular during the evenings on Saturday and Sunday, and pretty much all of the time during school holiday periods.
Most of the stores are open from 11 AM to 9 PM, while many of the eateries are open until the early hours of the morning. Though Bercy Village isn’t actually a village, you can check out our guides to some of the best villages in Paris.
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