What Happened To The Bastille Railway Line?

Behind the Opéra Bastille in Paris you'll find a 1.3km disused old railway viaduct - the "Viaduc des Arts" - now home to chic cafés, art shops, and an elevated tree-lined walkway. But what about the railway that used to run on it? Where did it go to? And what happened to it? I went to investigate the story of the lost line to Bastille...
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Paul & Rebecca's channel on abandoned railways: / pwhitewick1
IMAGE CREDITS:
Gare de la Bastille aerial shot: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Gare de Reuilly in 1985: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
SNCF sleeping car: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Crossrail tunnel photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

[@LQC2556]

4:24 "Or, the London Crossrail of-" Another of those little golden moments.

[@Godwinsname]

I could NOT make it out, what was said?

[@headforthehillsuk]

@@Godwinsname The London Crossrail of... (Deliberate blank from Tim as Crossrail is years overdue, billions over budget and still not finished)

[@Godwinsname]

@@headforthehillsuk I heard a very soft mutter.. but ok, I don't know anything about that rail so it makes sense there's nothing if it's not done :D ty!

[@joermnyc]

Me in New York: or the complete Gateway tunnel project to fix all of Penn Stations woes... yeah.

[@derauditor5748]

Or as we Germans say "Stuttgart 21"

[@louloubrubru8692]

Of course we want a video about the Bastille's foundations ! Why would we miss an opportunity to have another one of your great videos ? ;)

[@Johnclark1990]

I 19th that ...current state of likes and so on and furth

[@louloubrubru8692]

@@Johnclark1990 Haha thank you bud :)

[@kevwang0712]

I 52th that!

[@louloubrubru8692]

@@kevwang0712 Thabk you my friend !

[@andrewphillips8341]

YES DO IT!

[@tio5012]

I would legit love to cross this man's path one day.

[@gabyzillas]

man i crossed numerous time it's lovely, you defenitly should

[@miroslavmilan]

It would literally be a railway crossing.

[@rjc0234]

I would 10/10 act like he was Stuart Ashens or Simon Pegg to mess with him lol

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

You'd probably learn something interesting about wherever that path is.

[@TheIronArmenianakaGIHaigs]

2:45 very appropriate background music :D

[@Unamused3062]

Hang on a minute this isn't Armenia

[@PianoKwanMan]

I wasn't even listening to what Tim was saying

[@hugop968]

Followed by another appropriate Fort music !

[@arvindjijiantony4882]

Brings back memories

[@Gaizhun]

Iron Armenian I love your vids 😁😁😁

[@freewal]

Hello Tim, I live in Saint Mande ... I could show you an access (legal) to the old tunnel in the Parking of the Cityhall and another access in the City Gymnase. Both reused the old tunnel. Reply if you are interested. By the way the place of your exact first shot on the old tunnel in this video, there was a Station Saint Mande (today replaced by this ugly modern building), and unfortunately it was one of the first major accident in the history of French trains. There was a crash between two trains ... 43 deads. Some victims are buried in the Saint Mande cemetery and there is a plaque to commemorate this tragedy.

[@moonbook12]

Oh wow

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

The Whitewicks? Now that’s an epic crossover if I do say so myself

[@Okurka.]

@@bobsemple7660 North Korea never had old buildings, everything is brand new.

[@hairyairey]

I subscribe to them both and I wasn't sure which channel I was on for moment!

[@URTonemanclan]

Does anyone else think Mrs. Whitewick is... expecting?

[@nikolausluhrs]

Never thought id give you a like

[@robburgess4556]

So far they're the best part of the video 👍

[@mattyjmar10]

"We're not here to not see that." Brilliant mate lolz!

[@JudeFergy]

I mean that's basically his catchphrase.

[@mattyjmar10]

​@@JudeFergy Yes! And it's sorely missed when he doesn't work it into his videos.

[@taivaankumma]

Have you ever thought of setting up a Patreon account? I mean, if there ever was a KZbin channel I'd love to support apart from the ones I'm already supporting then yours would definitely be the one...

[@poopsie117]

I third this.

[@jasperschlief]

I fourth this

[@bgrigg07]

Another vote for Patreon!

[@MianCowell]

I sixth this

[@100dampf]

I eight this

[@soly-dp-colo6388]

About the Bastille: some of its dimension stones have been reused to build the Concorde bridge, just a few streets away.

[@pierren___]

+ The King wanted to demolish it, as we Can see on the plans place Bastille 1787

[@Snowshowslow]

Paul and Rebecca's excitement really added to my enjoyment of this little gem.

[@Godwinsname]

"..with a great range of skill levels." Brutal. I love it :D

[@redjoshman]

Yes, please do a video about the Bastille. I mean, if because of the pandemic you essentially have to become an "unfinished London" like channel but about Paris temporarily I would be more than ok with that.

[@12many4you]

Equally funny and interesting

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

A series similar to Unfinished London would be nice, but I would be disappointed if Tim's upload schedule became that infrequent.

[@jcthefluteman]

2:00 Art Attack theme, 2:40 Thomas the Tank Engine, 6:18 The Wombles... I see you too have fantastic taste in 90s kids television programming :D

[@gomie933]

At 3:01 it’s Fort Boyard’s theme

[@jamesschofield7275]

What's the music at 4:58 though? I reckonise it but can't remember what it is?

[@chrisoddy8744]

@@jamesschofield7275 I believe it's the Channel 4 News theme - not quite as 90's but close enough

[@idiotinchief]

@@gomie933 THANK YOU. That was driving completely round le coin.

[@vacuumdiagram]

Me every time I see a new The Tim Traveller video: 1:58

[@MrGreatplum]

I never knew I’d be interested in a route of a railway line in a city I’ve not visited for 19 years... and the Whitewicks as well! You spoil us, sir! I see that young upstart Tom Scott is after your coveted role, he’s just done a video about a monorail... he’ll never catch on!

[@sampointau]

I can remember the demolition of the old station when I was there in 1985, I had cousins who owned and ran a fruit and vegetable magasin there. Their niece, another cousin, asked to travel with me to Belgium and Holland with me and I had to go there with her so she could get permission and probe my family connections (Very old fashioned branch of the family, I mean she was 23! LoL) I can remember that side of the place de la bastille Being wide open and the her uncle complained about the noise and dust from the work falling on his outside produce displays. And that was how I learnt about the old bastille station and ligne.

[@woutervanr]

That reconstruction though...that's the quality content I watch this channel for!

[@Everyyoueverymiau]

I cried, I laughed so much at that 🤣

[@stalkerkoala777]

I'm all for subtly using the Thomas the Tank Engine theme song during an explanation of a railway

[@MaxArceus]

Maybe consider doing a video on the vast network of the catacombes, the phenonoma of the illegal tours people take, the secret entrances, the chamber where movies were being shown in the past, and all that. Could make for a really cool video I think.

[@derauditor5748]

Oh yes! The Paris Underground!

[@57thorns]

Tim, you are undersetimating your audience. Many of us are the kind to ask questions like "is that a tunnel that was there before?", but most never take the time to find the answers.

[@harrrrry]

These videos really make me want to live in France

[@louloubrubru8692]

You're welcome my friend !

[@Okurka.]

Too bad it's full of French people.

[@joermnyc]

@@Okurka. Groundskeeper Willie: “Darn Scots, they ruined Scotland!”

[@tomjoad1363]

@@Okurka. As a frenchman, I couldn't agree more ! XD

[@EruditoHacker]

*Thomas the Tank Engine on piano*: “Reasonable.” *Channel 4 news intro on piano*: “Quoi?”

[@Marmeladecheeseshoes]

AKA - Best Endeavours by Alan Hawkshaw

[@yosh66]

thats fort boyard theme iirc

[@cabe_bedlam]

@@yosh66 Not quite, it's close though! Fort Boyard was composed by Paul Koulak for the series.

[@johnwalters1806]

Also, at the point where he says "it's more underground than overground.", it switches to the Wombles theme.

[@TheTimTraveller]

@@cabe_bedlam I think Йош /Yosh is talking about the music that comes directly after Thomas The Tank, when I'm talking about the fort, which IS Fort Boyard. The Channel 4 News theme is later on when I talk about "good news" - I wanted a bright and positive-sounding news theme, and Channel 4 fitted the bill.

[@Fluufie]

Your writing always blows me away. Hats off to you

[@Fluufie]

"doesn't that kind've give it away?" 😂

[@Fluufie]

And the Whitewicks! ha! love it

[@Fluufie]

just all of it is gold okay?

[@UncommonManFromEarth]

I already knew the story but I love hearing it from you. And that Crossrail burn was on point 👌🏽😬

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Tim is the best opera singer of them all. He sings facts. If you don’t believe that, you’re in denial

[@macdonalds1972]

Fun Fact: Lots of hippos are in denial.

[@benholroyd5221]

@@macdonalds1972 is it sad that I was about to make pretty much the same joke? Or are we just 2 shining beacons of intelligence and wit in a sea of KZbin comments?

[@robelteshome1544]

@@benholroyd5221 Let us go with the second one. A fellow sad/shinning beacon.

[@d22matt]

The Tim Traveller ft. The Whitwicks aka Paul & Rebecca.... Brilliant combo. This made me smile 😊

[@mary-janejenkins9560]

Congratulations on making The Times paper top 20 best KZbin channels 🥰 well deserved

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

No, I've never wondered that. Never knew I'd be interested in that. Apparently I am. Thankyou Tim. Another great video.

[@ellocoparovoz]

i laughed out loud when heard the background music at 3:02 when Tim says "Fort"

[@A_S_M_R]

Underground, overground...now if only he would play the Wombles theme tune...oh wait!

[@unlapras9365]

I'm from Paris and I must say this video was absolutely perfect, you have said everything. I often have a walk on the viaduc des arts and I love its former-railway vibes. By the way, the section of the Petite Ceinture at the end of the curve is now open to public as well. I hope you'll make more videos about Paris's secrets !

[@alphadog4802]

The cameo of Paul and Rebecca was a nice touch ! Cheers !

[@jaydonnelly5038]

I absolutely love your railway content

[@user-fp6dt1os1l]

The comic timing of the "Reconstruction" label got me lmao

[@johnponter1486]

I loved the way you got the whitewick's involved, interesting & funny, you should do something together.

[@timeflysintheshop]

Hooray for Paul and Rebecca getting cameo appearances in your video! I think they did a fine job. I hope you don't have to go back into a lockdown. Thanks for the video, and stay safe!

[@nigelsimeone9966]

Thanks for another great Parisian video. When I first stayed regularly in the city during the 1970s (usually somewhere cheap and cheerful near République) I can just about remember seeing the remains of the station before work started on Opéra Bastille, but sadly it was too late for any passenger trains.

[@iandlv6835]

Tim your french is excellent, have you considered doing your voice overs in french for all those Parisians who don’t know what’s under their feet. Just as I had no idea what was under my feet when I lived in London, before coming to live in La Belle France.

[@tomjoad1363]

Although I support your idea, THose videos are a good excuse for frenchmen to leanr and improve their english skills. ^^

[@cyrilio]

OMG. You even have extra's in your video's now? Could you do a video about La Defense? Know it looks pretty modern, but would love to learn about the history etc.

[@vincentwalsh2480]

Great video as always! I really appreciate the great amount of information and humor that you are able to pack into them!

[@jovanweismiller7114]

Great touch, having Paul and Rebecca (previously The Whitewicks) watching the video and eating popcorn.

[@pwhitewick]

Loooong time in the making!

[@keshavsrinivasan6832]

We would love a video on the bastille!! Maybe even a video on weird places associated with the French Revolution? ( I don't know if such places exist but I would love to find out!) Realllllyyyyyy lovvveeee yoooouuurrrrr vvviiidddddeeeoosssssssss!!!!!!!

[@Aeyekay0]

So much good information about “off the best path” spots. This channel is a wealth of knowledge

[@davidphilpott6606]

Thank you for the videos you make. I may never get to see this in person and you are my eyes! Love what you share!

As always, I gotta say, you are the best in accurate historical reconstructions! 😀 Great video, Tim!

[@flx4305]

So cool to see one of the Park I grew up with showed and explained by you. I learned a lot myself even if it has always been a 10 min walk from home. Thank you !

[@Y_Not1]

So cool. What an amazing place. Thanks for showing us around.💕😃😉

[@russcorbett3923]

Awesome !!!! Thank you for all that you do !!!!!

[@alastairrobson9306]

There are few things that make me happier, in these challenging times, then finding out there’s a new The Tim Traveller video! Keep up the awesome work!

[@dkk9819]

I love this channel so much. Keep it up!

[@roderickmain9697]

Catching up on your older videos. Theres something magical about Paris but you add a new dimension. Humour is good too.

[@thewhexperience3901]

Tim, you always inspire me to get out even in my own community and explore. Thanks for the latest video!!

[@SuperPlotzki]

I can't believe you don't have more subscribers! I absolutely love your videos and lovely commentary. This poor kid from the third world can live vicariously through your content ❤️

[@TheTimTraveller]

Ah cheers Paulo! Where are you watching from?

[@SuperPlotzki]

@@TheTimTraveller all the way from the Philippines!

[@JudgeHill]

These are brilliant, Tim

[@albevanhanoy]

The scene of Paul and Rebecca grabbing popcorn and grinning as soon as you say "Abandoned railway" is tge cutest thing.

[@wich1]

Yes to a video on bastille remains

[@LaCorvette]

Nice, comfy and insightful.

[@ChrisCVW]

Tim your incidental music is wild.

[@klhaldane]

I know that elevated way well; my favourite place to stay in Paris is between Bastille and Gare de Lyon, just a street or two over. Haven't been there since before Covid, so it's lovely to see it again.

[@aniruddhabhattacharjee3729]

I love the intro, I love the intro music too, infact almost always unknowingly I do a mini nodding to the tune, it's vibrant and like a tour :) Always great Tim, always great. :)

[@hoedenbesteller]

Thanks Tim very nice video again, will visit this old railway next week if the weather is a bit nice!

[@poopsie117]

HUGELY underrated KZbin channel here haha

[@GeographyWorld]

Great to see another video!

[@florianpeschelt5555]

Hi Tim, if you have a bike, and a little time on your hands, do go to the other end of this line from Boissy onwards. There's a lot to discover.

[@mlies37]

1:28 oh my god more evidence literally all the youtubers i like watching are friends

[@bolstein5636]

The videos are great, really love them. Keep up the videos, stay safe during this time while making the videos

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Another top class and very interesting video as usual! 😁

[@lt2143]

Cool, fun and informative video. Making us reminisce about when a few years we walked through the promenade plantee and petite ceinture all the way to the Bois des Vincennes. It was so much fun and relaxing - a cool adventure of one of Paris' hidden gems.

[@chocjamie]

Your videos are always a joy!

[@indoora]

Your videos are very interesting and your narration adds another layer of fun.

[@marielundi]

Thank you! Promenade plantée is one of my favourite places in Paris, I always tell friends to visit it!

[@nephilimcrt]

I just wanted to say that I keep enjoying these videos, even when the subject matter wouldn't normally interest me one bit.

[@haroldsmith45302]

These are the type of features that make a city truly world class. Thank you, Tim, for this video. Et merci, Paris, pour ce très excellent parc linéaire.

[@alainc5597]

on the saint Mandé side just in front of the town hall there s a underground car park on the second floor you cna see the arch of the tunnle in the motorbike car park area

[@duckydashcam751]

YESSSSSSSSSSSS...now thats what I call a collab 🤙🤙

[@neilthehermit4655]

Wonderful video. - And as a bonus, two of my favorite channels in one go!

[@petedemaio168]

I fell off my chair when the Whitewicks popped up! And then I laughed so much when they appeared again with their popcorn that I missed most of history of the line. I'll have to do many repeat views. Love that all my favourite KZbinrs are connected. This one makes s circle. Keep them coming. I love these subjects.

[@waynehanley72]

Wow. Learn something new every day. Thanks. I know that area of Paris fairly well, but never knew about that station or that line.

[@kjrunia]

Loved your video! Would absolutely love a video about the vestiges de la Bastille!

[@videosfromelsewhere926]

Of course we want this video, Tim!

[@davekirwin]

Hahaaaa - Paul and 'Becca - that was a surprise! Another great vid with good attention to music, amusing lines, comprehensively research, B reel and, of course, a disused railway!

[@minerva2kutube]

Top video, many thanks! Really interesting!!

[@jibrilzadi3227]

He has the most beautiful french accent I've never heard. Written by a Frenchman 🇫🇷.

[@2008tourer]

That's because he lives in Paris and speaks fluent French. :D I don't know if I remember correctly but I think he majored something in French

[@Forlfir]

En anglais on dirait plutôt "I've ever heard"

[@spaileam5801]

Yay, more trains!! :D Also, please explore more abandoned buildings! Your Monte Palace video is my favourite and it recently passed its one year anniversary :)

[@ricfootball]

The music! Always makes me smile when i notice the link to the content 👍

[@DaveTexas]

Yes, please do a video about the remnants of the Bastille! That stuff is fascinating.

[@daniel_bohrer]

I don't know why, but it always takes me an hour to watch a Tim Traveller video… an hour well spent finding out every little background detail in the music :D

[@Bruce954]

Yes, I would love to see more about it!

[@harrierjames7727]

Hahaha love the Whitewicks getting involved!

[@pwhitewick]

Always a pleasure

[@simonbauer5368]

I love those videos and how you can make incredible travel videos without really travelling

[@ThedwarfsizedWorkshop]

1:58 Me, when I see a new video from Tim in my notifications

[@OnkelJajusBahn]

Wow, that looks really beautiful. Seems like the second best thing, you can do with such a corridor.

[@gpan62]

I walked this route back and forth to my hotel near the ring highway a few times a few years ago. Awesome.

[@Thinkle911]

watched a Tim Traveller video, went to prepare lunch, ate it, cleaned the kitchen and two and a half hor later, Tim is still talking about interesting stuff!

[@Gaspode_]

Another great video thanks! I loved the Whitewicks cameo, and yes to the Bastille remains video idea please.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Sam.

[@KarolisForTheWin]

I was so happy when you said the walkway was in "Before Sunset" because it was exactly what I though it was!

[@althomas6045]

i got a little chuckle at the perspective. you mention wwii simply as being a reason the line was surpassed by other lines. i agree. we will have other world wars but disused and defunct railways are forever. cheers!

[@CopenhagenDreaming]

I used to live in a 7th floor garret just across the Boulevard Daumesnil from La Coulée Verte, so I went there most days for almost a year. It is such a great space! (And yes, I've done the walk to Vincennes, of course! I loved the trench section of the path.)

[@nibblitman]

Yes to more about the Bastille, honestly though yes to more historic stuff from you in general or anything really.

[@thespectator1243]

Thanks again for the great infotainment. :)