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I walk the line – the perimeter of Paris

I walk 35 kilometres following the tram line on the perimeter of Paris …

MARTINA NICOLLS

Nov 21

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The Paris periphery – le périphérique – is the ring road around the districts (arrondissements) of Paris, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) in length. There are two one-way ring roads for traffic – the inner ring, where vehicles travel clockwise around the city and the outer ring, where vehicles travel counterclockwise around the city.

In addition to the connecting boulevards that constitute the ring road for traffic is the electric periphery tramway. Alongside the tramway rail circuit are pathways and streets that, more or less, follow the rail line.

Trams in Paris began with one rail line in 1898 and continued until 1938 when cars became the preferred means of transport. The construction of the road perimeter began in 1958 to alleviate the congestion of road traffic in Paris and was completed in 1973.

In 1995, the Paris mayor debated the controversial idea of restoring trams – with a modern, electric, public tramway – initially for the southern perimeter of Paris to solve two problems: traffic congestion and pollution. A contract for construction was signed in 2000. In 2007, the periphery tramway commenced along the southern perimeter.

Following the tramway – walking the line – is a common fitness activity for runners, skateboarders, dog-walkers, pram-strollers, cyclists, and horse-mounted police.

I walk the line, humming to Johnny Cash, and singing to Randy Neblett:

“Walk to the end

Of the road

Stand at the edge

Of what you know

What do you see

Beyond the periphery?”

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

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