Staying in Bercy | Paris 2024

Bercy is a smaller, less-known area of Paris. It is probably best known for the famous Bercy Village shopping centre, however this little suburb has plenty to offer. It used to be a pretty overlooked part of the city, mostly due to the fact it was quiet and urban. However, all of that is now changing. There are new hotels arriving that are turning into large skyscrapers and money is being invested into projects, such as the startup campus Station F. Adding to this is that during the Olympics this year, Bercy is right in the thick of it and is a great place to explore during the games. To prepare you for either a Summer of sports, or a little urban getaway, this is my comprehensive guide to staying in Bercy 2024.

Staying in Bercy

How to Get to Bercy

Bercy is in the 12th arrondissement (Zone 2), just alongside the right bank of the Seine. It is really accessible and you can get there by train or metro.

The main train station (Paris Bercy Bourgogne Pays d’Auvergne) is one of the main transport links in Paris. There are major links there that take you to multiple regions in France. However, if you are coming in from the UK by Eurostar, then you will need to use the Metro. I always say how good the Metro in Paris is and Bercy has connections along the M6 and M14 lines, the latter of which is just a short walk from the Eurostar station.

Top tip: you can buy Metro tickets on the Eurostar, so make sure you do this to avoid the rush!

If you are travelling to Bercy following a luxurious stay in the South, then you will begin your Parisian adventure at Gare de Lyon. To get to Bercy from here it is just a short (11 minute) walk. The Charles de Gaulle Airport also has fantastic transport links to Bercy. The RER B line will take you from the airport to the M14 line, which will then take you on to Bercy.

If you are staying on the other side of the Seine (Bercy is on the right bank), then the nearest Metro stations will be Quai de La Gare and Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand. Again, really accessible from the major stations and airport.

Staying in Bercy During the Olympics 2024

The Olympics is arriving to Paris in the Summer of 2024. It obviously means that the city will be heaving with tourists and enthusiasts, so you will want to get ahead of the rush.

Staying in Bercy means that you will be near one of the main stages; the Accor Arena. This was opened in 1983 and is usually one of the main venues in Paris. For the Olympics though, the Accor Arena will host the Gymnastics, the Basketball and the Trampoline. These highly-popular events usually bring in a large crowd, so staying in a hotel in Bercy means that you don’t have to go very far to catch an early event.

The events that will be hosted at the Accor Arena are:

• Trampoline (both competitions) on the 2nd of August
• All Gymnastic events will be held between the 27th of July and the 5th of August
• All the Basketball events will be held between the 27th of July and the 10th of August

What to do In Bercy

There are plenty of things to do whilst you are staying in Bercy. A lot of the activities are what you expect from an up-and-coming, urban area.

Gardens

There are actually two, large and green oases here. The Jardin des Plantes has a variety of different greenhouses for you to explore. It also has a zoo that is home to lots of cute and exciting animals. I find Jardin des Plantes very peaceful to walk around; it feels quite stately. However, if you fancy something a bit more wild and natural head to Bois de Vincennes. This has plenty of forest to explore down the walking paths, along with a pretty lake.

If you are after something slightly different, then head to Parc de Bercy. There are three different gardens here which each have their own unique theme. There is even a hidden vineyard to explore!

Socialising

There are plenty of opportunities to meet up with friends in Bercy. I suggest that you head over to the TacTac Skybar. This is on the 27th floor of the Too Hotel and gives you some incredible views over Paris. Whilst the drinks here are not cheap, it is an ideal place to meet up and treat yourself. Ground Control is also a good area to relax in and grab a drink. There are some shops here too, but you mostly come to this hip neighbourhood to relax with friends. Ground Control also has some cool bars and clubs to go to. If nightlife is more your things, then the Accor Arena has Club Phantom too.

Shopping

Bercy has some good places to shop. Obviously, the best place to do this is at the Bercy Village. This shopping mall is one of the best in Paris. I just love the rustic-feel that you get here. I think that there is a really good selection of shops to choose from and there are some of the best restaurants around here. Ground Control also has some good shops, but I personally would recommend Bercy Village as your first call for some retail therapy.

Museums and Exhibitions

If you are after a good museum, then I would recommend Musée des Arts Forains. This is a unique and interesting museum that looks at Fairground Arts throughout France. Whilst it may not seem like the most exciting topic in the world, I would still suggest a visit. The décor and setting are both excellent and you even get to ride some old rides. It is charming and, to be honest, I don’t think you can find anywhere else like it.

Another option for exhibitions is the Cinémathèque Française. They regularly organise various screenings and exhibitions about cinema. If you are into your films, I would suggest a visit!

Food

Bercy has some great places for food. Ground Control is the place to go if you want street food. Think Camden Market, but with a French twist!

For a more sophisticated lunch, then Bercy Village probably has what you are looking for. You will find a range of different bistros here along with restaurants serving world foods.

Lastly, nearby are the giant food markets in La Felicità. This old, industrial arena has been converted into foodie heaven. Whether you want savoury, sweet, French or Thai, you can find what you want here. If you are only staying in Bercy for a short time, you must try this.

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Other posts that may help you:

• Day Trips from Paris: Exploring Paris’ Outskirts
• Ten Things You Must See in Paris
• My Massive Paris Bucketlist

Thank you for reading and I hope I have helped inspire you for your stay in Bercy. If you have any questions about the places on my list or the area in general, please do get in touch in the comments below.

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Happy exploring,

Love Victoria X

*Cover image from Flickr – Source