Place de la Bastille is one of several Paris squares to be getting a pedestrian-friendly makeover as part of the plans of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo to make the city greener
On Wednesday the final phase of the works began – removing five huge steel beams of 30 tonnes each, dating from 1890, from the end of the square to reconnect it to the Canal Saint-Martin.
Nouvelle étape de la métamorphose de la place de la Bastille, 5 poutres en acier de 20m de long et de 30 tonnes qui recouvraient le canal Saint-Martin depuis 1890 sont enlevées ce matin. Le métal sera réemployé pour créer des bancs. #ParisSeTransforme pic.twitter.com/Qgx0awLHks
— Christophe Najdovski (@C_Najdovski) November 6, 2019
As well as opening up the square to the canal basin – which has been partially covered over since Metro Line 1 was built in 1900 – the works will also significantly reduce space for traffic and create a giant pedestrian plaza, as well as an interchange for cyclists to connect several different cycle paths.

La place de la #Bastille continue sa mue et s’ouvre sur le Port de l’Arsenal après ce spectaculaire retrait de poutres (datant de 1890!). D’un rond-point dédié aux voitures, cette place maintenant connectée au Canal redonne place aux piétons et à la végétalisation #ParisPlusBelle pic.twitter.com/BOlyWLco8o
— Célia Blauel (@Celia_Blauel) November 6, 2019
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