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Parc de la Villette, Paris, France | |
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I first saw the Parc de la Villette from a boat trip on the Canal Saint-Martin/Canal de l'Ourcq. In fact, the canal cuts right through the middle of the park, with the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrieon the northern side and the Cité de la Musique and the Grande Halle on the southern side. Footbridges allow access to both sides. The interactive science museum (Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie) opened in 1986 and provides kids (and adults) with a variety of opportunities to learn and have fun. Its fanciful buildings and unusual sculptures make you want to learn more. Exhibit subjects include water and gardens, cars, aeronautics, energy, computer science, rocks and volcanoes, medicine and health, biology, light effects, and stars and galaxies. Outside the museum are the Geode, a large globe that houses an Omnimax auditorium; and the Argonaute, an actual submarine turned exhibit. Several nearby themed parks provide play areas. The Music City includes a wonderful Music Museum with about 900 musical instruments, some of which are historic. The Grande Halle, or former cattle market hall, now serves as a concert and entertainment hall, as well as a place for trade shows and other gatherings. Le Zénith provides another performance venue. There is also an outdoor space for projecting films, a popular summer event. Throughout the park families will find a variety of parks (about ten in all) with different themes—plenty to keep the kids entertained. And of course, the Parc de la Villette also has a lovely carousel, aptly named the Carousel Jules Verne and including a balloon. Located on the very edge of Paris in the 19th arrondissement, the Parc de la Villette is a bit off the normal tourist path. However, it offers multiple entertainment opportunities, particularly for families and children. Métro: Porte de la Villette (closer to Science Museum) or Porte de Pantin (closer to Music City) Parc de la Villette
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Above: Museum of Science and Industry, Paris.
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