Montsouris: the English park and the campus of nations

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Cité internationale universitaire de Paris

   Step off the RER and start across the boulevard, on the campus. Walk the lawn in front of the *Maison internationale* — it's a 1930s student city of national-pavilion buildings, each country in its own architecture, all open to wander.

   01

   Cité internationale universitaire de Paris

   Step off the RER and start across the boulevard, on the campus. Walk the lawn in front of the *Maison internationale* — it's a 1930s student city of national-pavilion buildings, each country in its own architecture, all open to wander.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Pavillon Suisse & Pavillon du Brésil

   Le Corbusier's two contributions stand close together on the campus — the Swiss pavilion (1931–33) on its pilotis, the Brazil pavilion (1959) in bright primary panels. You can usually walk into the Swiss lobby; the curving mural wall is the thing to see.

   02

   Pavillon Suisse & Pavillon du Brésil

   Le Corbusier's two contributions stand close together on the campus — the Swiss pavilion (1931–33) on its pilotis, the Brazil pavilion (1959) in bright primary panels. You can usually walk into the Swiss lobby; the curving mural wall is the thing to see.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   Parc Montsouris — the lake

   Cross to the park and head for the water. It was laid out in the 1860s as one of Haussmann's English-style parks — rolling lawns, not parterres. The lake has the resident ducks and, on a clear morning, the whole thing to yourself.

   03

   Parc Montsouris — the lake

   Cross to the park and head for the water. It was laid out in the 1860s as one of Haussmann's English-style parks — rolling lawns, not parterres. The lake has the resident ducks and, on a clear morning, the whole thing to yourself.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   The meteorological tower & the Mire du Sud

   Near the park's southern side stands a slim meteorological tower, and tucked in the lawns is the *Mire du Sud* — a 1736 marker on the old Paris meridian. Two odd survivors most walkers stroll straight past.

   04

   The meteorological tower & the Mire du Sud

   Near the park's southern side stands a slim meteorological tower, and tucked in the lawns is the *Mire du Sud* — a 1736 marker on the old Paris meridian. Two odd survivors most walkers stroll straight past.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Villa Seurat

   A short dead-end *villa* — a private mews — off rue de la Tombe-Issoire, lined with 1920s artists' studios. Henry Miller wrote *Tropic of Cancer* at number 18; Dalí and Soutine kept studios here too. Quiet, residential, worth the small detour.

   05

   Villa Seurat

   A short dead-end *villa* — a private mews — off rue de la Tombe-Issoire, lined with 1920s artists' studios. Henry Miller wrote *Tropic of Cancer* at number 18; Dalí and Soutine kept studios here too. Quiet, residential, worth the small detour.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Rue des Artistes & the Réservoir de Montsouris

   Climb the stepped, leafy rue des Artistes toward Glacière. Behind the wall to your west sits the great covered Montsouris reservoir, still supplying the city. The Métro at Glacière (M6) takes you back from here.

   06

   Rue des Artistes & the Réservoir de Montsouris

   Climb the stepped, leafy rue des Artistes toward Glacière. Behind the wall to your west sits the great covered Montsouris reservoir, still supplying the city. The Métro at Glacière (M6) takes you back from here.

   ◉Street View