Grande Halle de la Villette

Built on the site of the former Villette markets, la Villette is now a city park covering 55 hectares. Bustling with life, it is punctuated with parks and gardens based on different themes where culture and architecture are intermingled : "jardin des voltiges","jardin des dragons", "jardin des bambous", "jardin des dunes", "jardin des miroirs", "jardin des ombres", "jardin des équilibres", "jardin des treilles", "jardin des frayeurs", "jardin des îles", "jardins des dessins". Each garden represents a different theatrical or cinematic sequence, for example, the "jardin des miroirs" is a mirror garden reflected by 28 mirrors!



The architect Bernard Tschumi developed the park around three independently composed plans - a system of points, lines and surfaces. A system of points with 26 contemporary "follies" (extravagant, frivolous or fanciful buildings), their crimson red colours brightening up the park. Each one is unique in form and function. A system of lines with 2 major axis : north-south and east-west. A system of surface areas with 2 major parks : "la prairie du Triangle et la prairie du Cercle". (The triangular park and the circular park).



The Parc de la Villette programmes numerous events : exhibitions, circus shows, festivals and workshops set the pace each year. A rich and varied programme offers live shows in the following (circus, street performance, world cultures, hip hop, theatre, dance, art shows).