Route along the Marne River, from Nogent-sur-Marne to Bry-sur-Marne

Édifice fait de fonte, de fer et de verre, le Pavillon Baltard est un monument emblématique de la riche histoire de Paris au XIXe et XXe siècles.Conçu au milieu du XIXème siècle par l'architecte Victor Baltard, le Pavillon Baltard surprend par son architecture moderne - un exemple éclatant des techniques industrielles qui allaient transformer Paris sous Napoléon III. Edifié à l’emplacement de l’ancien château de Beauté, le Pavillon Baltard surplombe aujourd’hui la Marne. Il est l’unique vestige des anciennes Halles de Paris construites à partir de 1853 par l’architecte Victor Baltard. Celui-ci s’était vu confier la reconstruction du marché central de Paris et se vit imposer par Napoléon III et le préfet Haussmann l’emploi matériaux industriels, verre et métal, perçus comme hygiéniques et modernes. Au cours de la destruction des Halles à partir de 1971 seul un pavillon sur douze fut démonté et sauvé, le Pavillon n°8, celui des œufs et de la volaille. Les 425 tonnes du pavillon furent transportées à Nogent il fut réassemblé et inauguré en 1977. Le Pavillon Baltard accueille aujourd’hui de nombreux évènements : concerts, dîners de gala, congrès, salon, expositions, tournages, etc. Le Pavillon est notamment connu pour avoir hébergé des événements tels que des tournages de films, des événements sportifs, des congrès, des salons ou encore des émissions de télévision (La Nouvelle Star, les 7 d'Or, Stars 90, Des Racines et des Ailes, le Téléthon, etc.). Le lieu offre un bel espace de location entièrement équipé en ingénierie son et lumière. Depuis 1980, le Pavillon Baltard abrite également le célèbre Orgue Christie, l'orgue historique du cinéma Gaumont-Palace.

Named in 2007 after the famous accordionist Yvette Horner, who lived in Nogent-sur-Marne for over fifty years, this riverside promenade follows the line of the former Île de Beauté and its elegant holiday villas.The current walkway traces the course of the former branch of the Marne River that once separated the Île de Beauté from the Nogent shore, before it was filled in in 1968. From the second half of the 19th century, following the arrival of the railway in Nogent, the Île de Beauté became a popular holiday retreat for the Parisian bourgeoisie, who built splendid villas in eclectic architectural styles—many of which can still be admired today. Although the island itself is no longer an island, the Yvette Horner Promenade retains the charm and atmosphere of the Marne’s golden age, when weekends by the water were a quintessential part of Parisian leisure life.

Today one of the largest marinas in the Île-de-France region, the Nogent-sur-Marne Port enjoys a prime location close to numerous tourist, cultural, and sports facilities.The current marina was developed in the late 1960s on the site of a former commercial port that had existed since the 18th century. Originally, this earlier port was likely used to ship wine produced on the slopes of Nogent to Paris. In the 19th century, as the town expanded rapidly, it served instead for the transport and storage of construction materials needed for urban development. Today, the port also preserves an authentic fragment of the Pont des Arts footbridge—the first metal bridge built in Paris, originally erected in 1804. This section was gifted to Nogent-sur-Marne by the City of Paris and inaugurated here in 1992, adding a unique historical feature to the marina’s setting.

Construite entre 1801 et 1803, le pont des Arts fut le premier pont métallique de Paris. Démontée dans les années 1980, une portion a été offerte à Nogent-sur-Marne par Jacques Chirac.Le Pont des Arts incarnait la modernité naissante de Paris au XIXᵉ siècle. Fragilisé par les bombardements, les chocs de bateaux et l’usure du temps, il devint instable et fut remplacé dans les années 1980 par un pont en acier, plus solide et doté de moins d’arches pour faciliter la navigation. Une travée complète de l’ancien ouvrage fut restaurée puis offerte à Nogent-sur-Marne. Depuis 1992, cette passerelle installée sur la Marne conserve son ossature métallique rivetée et ses élégants garde-corps, témoins de l’audace industrielle de la France du Consulat et du Premier Empire.

Jusqu’à la fin du XIXe siècle, la traversée entre Nogent-sur-Marne et Champigny-sur-Marne se faisait grâce à un bac. L'actuel pont n'est que le second ouvrage construit à cet endroit.En 1899, le bac fut finalement remplacé par un ouvrage métallique couvrant la Marne en trois arches, couvert de pavés de bois. Sa construction allait contribuer au désenclavement du centre de Champigny-sur-Marne en reliant celui-ci directement à Paris par une ligne de tramway, mise en service en 1902. Il facilitait également l’accès des Parisiens au vaste hippodrome aménagé sur une partie des terres de l’ancienne seigneurie du Tremblay. Ouvert en 1906, ce champ de courses accueillit, jusqu’à sa destruction en 1968, des courses de trot dans des installations d'une grande modernité à l'époque de leur construction. Il attirait chaque week-end des foules nombreuses d’amateurs de courses. C’est d’ailleurs après avoir dépensé ses gains remportés au Tremblay dans les guinguettes de Champigny que le parolier Jean Dréjac eut l’inspiration des paroles du "Petit vin blanc". Insuffisant face au développement du trafic routier, le pont d’origine fut remplacé au milieu des années 1960 par le pont actuel. Son pilier central, reposant sur l’extrémité de l’Île des Loups, présente une sculpture en béton moulé de l’artiste Gaston Cardenas évoquant la Marne.

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this former boat garage reflects the rise of recreational boating on the Marne River. The Seyler family played a central role in this development, combining both boatbuilding and boat rental services.The workshops founded by the three Seyler brothers embody the golden age of leisure boating on the Marne. In 1897, the eldest brother, Georges Seyler, settled in Le Perreux-sur-Marne, just outside Nogent-sur-Marne, in a house that would remain devoted to navigation for decades. Together with his brothers, he established a workshop for building and renting boats, catering to a new social trend: the regular practice of rowing and boating for pleasure. At a time when transporting one’s boat each weekend was impractical, the Seyler brothers pioneered an innovative concept, offering not only rentals but also private boat garages for owners. Their enterprise helped to popularize leisure navigation, making the banks of Le Perreux a favored meeting place for boaters.

Built between 1855 and 1857 for the Paris–Mulhouse railway line, the Nogent-sur-Marne's Viaduct spans the Marne Valley. It also marks the boundary between Le Perreux-sur-Marne and Nogent-sur-Marne. Measuring 830 meters long and 29 meters high, it remains a technical feat of 19th-century engineering.Originally, the structure featured 30 semicircular arches, each 15 meters wide, complemented by four large 50-meter arches crossing the river. It belongs to the first generation of major railway viaducts built in France during the second half of the 19th century. The project also included a remarkable innovation: one of the piers was set directly into the riverbed using a submerged metal caisson — a pioneering technique devised by engineer Pluyette. After being partially destroyed by German forces in 1944, the viaduct was rebuilt in just 18 months starting in 1946. The three reconstructed arches of what locals call the “ferroduc” of Nogent-sur-Marne stand as a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Limousin Construction Company. This firm, associated with the renowned engineer Eugène Freyssinet, became famous for designing numerous engineering structures during France’s postwar reconstruction. The Nogent viaduct exemplifies this period of innovation and has been awarded the “Remarkable Contemporary Architecture” label in recognition of its historical and technical significance.

Longtemps inhabitée, l’île des Loups reste encore accessible uniquement par bateau. Les habitants, privés d’accès direct, relèvent encore leur courrier dans des boîtes aux lettres installées sur le quai de l’Artois.Sa situation administrative est tout aussi particulière. Des trois îles visibles depuis la rive du Perreux, elle est la seule à appartenir pour moitié seulement à la commune, l’autre partie relevant de Nogent. Le tracé du chemin de fer, au XIXᵉ siècle, a renforcé cette division en séparant encore davantage le territoire insulaire. L’île des Loups est aussi un lieu vivant, profondément lié à la tradition nautique. Elle accueille la société ENCOU et le Club nautique de Nogent, qui perpétuent la pratique de l’aviron. Leurs embarcations animent régulièrement les eaux de la Marne et rappellent combien l’île est liée à l’histoire sportive et culturelle du territoire.

Along the course of the Marne, two small islands captivate visitors with their unique charm — the Île du Moulin and the Île d’Amour. Different in both their history and use, they each reflect the close relationship the town of Bry-sur-Marne has long maintained with the river.The Île du Moulin, largest of the two islands, owes its name to the watermill that once operated for several centuries in the narrow channel separating it from the Île d’Amour. Powered by the river’s current, the mill produced flour and energy, playing an active role in the local economy. With the decline of this traditional activity, the island became a peaceful, natural haven, yet it still stands as a reminder of a time when the river was a true source of industry and livelihood. The Île d’Amour, smaller and more secluded, enchanted boaters and day-trippers with its romantic appeal. In the 19th century, it became an idyllic setting for boat rides, picnics, and riverside guinguettes — its poetic atmosphere earning it the evocative name “Island of Love.” Over time, confusion between the two islands became common. After the mill disappeared, a leisure venue called the “Casino de l’Île d’Amour” opened — not on the Île d’Amour, but on the Île du Moulin. The owner likely chose the more enticing name for his guinguette, and the mix-up has endured ever since!

Le quai de l’Artois est un véritable témoin de l’histoire nautique du Perreux-sur-Marne. Il conserve de nombreux vestiges de cette tradition encore bien vivante aujourd’hui.En s’y promenant, on découvre d’anciens garages et ateliers de bateaux, témoins d’une époque où la rivière était un centre d’activité majeur, animé par les chantiers navals et les clubs d’aviron. Cette pratique sportive perdure : sur l’île des Loups, l’ENCOU et le Club nautique de Nogent perpétuent la tradition de l’aviron, faisant vivre les berges au rythme de leurs embarcations glissant sur l’eau. Le quai séduit aussi par son architecture. De belles maisons, aux façades symétriques et aux détails soignés, rappellent l’essor résidentiel du Perreux au tournant du XXᵉ siècle, lorsque la Marne attirait déjà promeneurs et amateurs de villégiature. Parmi elles, on peut notamment citer les résidences du 35 et du 91 quai de l’Artois.

The Perreux Stone, a rare menhir in Val-de-Marne, is a valuable testament to megalithic culture and a reminder of the very ancient human presence in the area.Known since at least the 18th century along the road to Bry-sur-Marne, this monumental stone, roughly 3,000 years old, was toppled and then buried during construction work in 1852, before being rediscovered in the early 20th century. Its eventful history led it to change location several times. First placed near Place de l’Ancienne-Mairie, it now stands along the banks of the Marne, at the intersection of Rue d’Artois and Quai d’Artois, where it continues to spark the curiosity of passers-by. Made of Champigny limestone, this block has also inspired local traditions. According to local folklore, the farmers’ wives once came to lay flowers upon it to ensure good harvests.

Before the bridge of Bry-sur-Marne existed, crossing the Marne River was done by ferry. The current bridge stands where this simple crossing once took place. The first suspension bridge, built by the well-known Seguin brothers in the early 19th century, was a true technical marvel for its time - a bold innovation when river crossing were still few and far between.Built in 1831, supported by two elegant stone pylons and metal cables, it represented a major engineering breakthrough. However, the structure proved fragile: it was swept away by a storm in 1844 and later destroyed by the French army during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. A new metal bridge replaced it in 1873, but as traffic grew and vehicles became heavier, it too became outdated. In 1938, it was rebuilt in reinforced concrete — a symbol of modernity and resilience. Unfortunately, it was destroyed again just two years later, during World War II, before being reconstructed in the same style in the mid-20th century. The bridge was later reinforced in 1975 to meet contemporary standards. Through its many transformations, the bridge of Bry-sur-Marne has witnessed the town’s evolution — from a small riverside community to a thriving suburb — mirroring both the technological progress and the growing dynamism of the region along the Marne.

Built in the early 17th century on the site of an older chapel dating back to the 12th century, the Church of Saint-Gervais–Saint-Protais has undergone several transformations — first in the 18th century, then again in the 19th.What makes this church truly remarkable is that it houses the only remaining diorama by Louis Daguerre, one of the pioneers of early photography, painted in 1842 when he settled in Bry-sur-Marne.

The church of Saint-Gervais–Saint-Protais in Bry-sur-Marne is home to the only remaining diorama by Louis Daguerre, installed here in 1842 after the artist settled in the town.Before becoming one of the pioneers of early photography, Louis Daguerre was a painter and theatre set designer. He achieved fame in Paris with his invention of the diorama — a spectacular illusionistic painting technique that combined translucent canvases with sophisticated lighting effects to create lifelike, shifting scenes. The diorama in Bry-sur-Marne extends the church’s interior with the illusion of a vast Gothic choir that appears to transform as the light changes — a mesmerizing blend of art, science, and spirituality that continues to captivate visitors nearly two centuries later.

Construit aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, l’édifice intègre des vestiges du château des Tuileries. Restauré, il accueille aujourd’hui l’école de musique de la ville et des espaces culturels.L’Hôtel de Malestroit, ancienne demeure médiévale de Jean de Malestroit, chancelier de Bretagne et évêque de Nantes, fut reconstruit aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles avec une terrasse dominant la Marne et un balcon à ferronnerie remarquable. En 1747, un « droit de perspective » garantit la préservation de cette vue. Entre 1794 et 1803, les Vestris, célèbre dynastie de danseurs y ont habité. Au XIXe siècle, Adrien Mentienne, historien et maire de Bry, y intègre des vestiges du château des Tuileries incendié en 1871, dont une colonne et une grille de clôture. Sauvé de la démolition en 1974 et inscrit au titre des Monuments historiques en 1975, l’édifice restauré abrite aujourd’hui l’école de musique Hector Berlioz , ainsi qu'un centre culturel.

Standing in the heart of the town, the Bry-sur-Marne Town Hall was inaugurated in 1877 to accompany the municipality’s demographic and urban expansion during the late 19th century.Designed by architect Charles-Auguste Coudon, the building reflects the eclectic style characteristic of the period, blending classical sobriety with refined decorative elements. Constructed in brick and stone, the Town Hall is distinguished by its well-balanced façade, sculpted pediment, and elegant campanile—features that give the building its unmistakable silhouette. As a symbol of civic life and local governance, it embodies the town’s ambition, during the 19th century, to equip itself with a public building that reflected its growing identity and aspirations.

Édifié en 1690 puis reconstruit au XVIIIᵉ siècle par Étienne de Silhouette, le château fut en partie détruit en 1870. Propriété des sœurs de Saint-Thomas de Villeneuve, il abrite aujourd’hui un établissement scolaire.Lors de la guerre de 1870, le château servit de quartier général aux officiers prussiens et subit d’importants bombardements français. Reconstruit peu après par son propriétaire, le chocolatier François-Jules Devinck, il perdit une partie de ses proportions et de ses ornements, mais conserva des décors du XVIIIᵉ siècle, notamment des dessus-de-porte allégoriques des saisons. Transformé en institution scolaire au début du XXᵉ siècle, il appartient depuis 1925 à la congrégation des sœurs de Saint-Thomas de Villeneuve, qui y firent édifier une chapelle. Il conserve aujourd'hui encore des vestiges du XVIIè siècle.

The Square de Lattre de Tassigny is part of a vast, tree-filled park covering four hectares. The site offers a peaceful green space for residents of Bry-sur-Marne and visitors alike.The square was originally part of the park belonging to the large bourgeois residence of Christian Lorenz-Böhrer. In the early 20th century, he had two columned galleries built there, in a Neo-classical style, connected by a rotunda. The ensemble is now recognized as Regional Heritage. In 1925, the property was purchased by the town of Bry-sur-Marne. Part of the former gardens was then converted into a public square.

The Square de Lattre de Tassigny marks the final stop on this itinerary. From here, you have several options to continue your walk.If you wish to stay close to the river, you can follow the Marne upriver toward Noisy-le-Grand or downstream towards Champigny-sur-Marne and Joinville-le-Pont. For those who prefer a bit of elevation, the slopes accessible from Bry-sur-Marne provide beautiful viewpoints over the Marne Valley. To return to Paris, the RER A station Bry-sur-Marne is just a ten-minute walk from the square. Enjoy your walk!