Paris, Pedals, and Patisseries
Reflecting and refining: Layer.studio explores Paris to draw fresh inspiration from its historic and contemporary landscape.
Stepping off the train Gare du Nord, the air in Paris felt different—sharper, more intentional. This wasn’t just a weekend getaway for the layer.studio team; it was an exploration of how one of the world’s most iconic cities is rewriting its urban script. From the historic symmetry of the 17th century to the gritty, nature-led interventions of the 21st, our study trip was a deep dive into the evolving philosophy of Parisian urbanism.
The sun remained a constant ally as we swapped the Metro for the saddle, collecting the locally available Vélib bikes. Navigating Paris on two wheels offers a critical perspective often missed on foot. We began with the classics, walking the historic Jardin du Luxembourg and the Parc des Rives de Seine, observing how these traditional spaces continue to serve as the city’s social lungs. But the real creative friction lay in the contemporary projects.
A standout was the Parc Clichy-Batignolles-Martin Luther King. This is landscape architecture as infrastructure - a sophisticated rainwater management system disguised as a vibrant public park. It represents a bold step toward climate resilience, prioritising ecological performance alongside recreation and placemaking.
Studying this hard, however, requires sustenance. Between site visits, we fuelled ourselves with the quintessential Parisian trio: strong coffee, impeccable patisserie, and long dinners. From a quick snack near Place de la République to a traditional brasserie dinner at Cavale, the food served as the backdrop for our discussions on the day’s findings. Whether we were discussing the contemporary developments within Boulogne-Billancourt or the ongoing success of the Promenade Plantée, the conversation always returned to the same point: how can we translate these innovations into our UK practice?
As we sat down for our final team dinner at Brasserie Floderer, the mood was high. We hadn’t just seen Paris; we had felt its ambition. By stepping out of our UK workplace, we gained a fresh perspective on how Paris has embarked on creating 300+ car-free school streets, converting “urban forests” in central squares, and expanding cycling lanes to create a more sustainable, liveable environment.
It is clearly still a city in transition, and still encounters a plethora of urban related issues. But what is undeniable, is it’s commitment, and seemingly responsive and proactive ability to transform its city to meet the needs of a 21st century climate, something we can all learn from.