Bercy Park, Paris

Until its decline in the 1960s, the area now covered by the Parc de Bercy was the bustling center for wine importation and storage in Paris. Wine arrived by barge and by train; the rails of the latter can still be seen in what are now the pathways of the park. The long-abandoned warehouses have been replaced by a neat garden, with wide lawns at one end and lines of plants, including a small vineyard, in the center. Landscaped hills, with fountains and ponds, manage to make the bizarre architecture of the nearby Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy (Paris-Bercy Multipurpose Sports Arena) a little less of an eyesore. In order that the illustrious history of the spot not be forgotten, there is a little exhibition telling the story of wine in Paris. The Maison du Jardinage (Gardening Center) is in the Parc de Bercy.