Paris Update What’s New in Paris
PARIS FOR PEDESTRIANS
Berges de la Seine: Hooray for the new government! A truce has been declared in the longstanding war between the national government and the city of Paris. The new prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, has lifted the veto of his predecessor (a possible candidate for mayor of Paris) on the city’s plans to convert some of the highway along the Seine to a pedestrian zone. Work has already begun between the Pont Royal and the Pont de l’Alma.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VELIB
Vélib: It’s already been five years since the Vélib short-term bike rental system was inaugurated. The number of bikes has doubled, to 23,000, and the system has been copied in dozens of other cities. Between 25 and 32 million bikes are checked out each year.
SPANISH GOODIES
Iberique Gourmet: This new Paris boutique specializes in gourmet Spanish foods from small producers: Belotta ham, vegetables from Navarra and more. 19, rue de Bièvre 75005 Paris.