La Bièvre used to flow into the Seine, but was covered over in the 19th Century to avoid pollution. The Lézarts de la Bièvre are organising an open day of artists’ studios where you can also discover where the river used to flow…


There have been plans to uncover part of the Bièvre for the best part of a decade now. Finally, it has been decided that the logistical problems are too great and the price (over 100 million euros / £80M / $1.5 billion) too high. Current plans now favour seven fountains and markings on the ground to show the course of the river. It’s odd to think that in parts of the city it is still just underneath our feet…

From Wikipedia
Although the Lézarts de la Bièvre association is just one of many that still hopes that the Bièvre will still be uncovered one day, they are the ones organising a weekend (Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June 2008) where you can visit artists’ studios, admire their work and also learn more about the Bièvre.

Six main circuits have been laid out, all of them Rive Gauche:

• near the Seine
• Jardin des Plantes
• Around rue Mouffetard
• Gobelins
• Butte aux Cailles
• Glacière

Nearly 70 studios will be open to the public, with all types of art on display. Along the routes (see below) a stencil artist called Artiste-Ouvrier will be spray-painting walls, and several special events are programmed over the weekend, such as guided walks, music in the street and demonstrations of “energetic arts and Chinese martial arts” (Tai Chi & aquarelles!). You can check out the whole programme for the weekend (in French) on the Lézarts de la Bièvre site.

Don’t forget, it’s on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June 2008 from 2pm – 8pm.