The Lost River of Paris: Searching for the Bièvre
About this episode
Oliver Gee and Lina explore the history and traces of the lost river Bièvre in Paris.
This podcast episode features host Oliver Gee and his co-host Lina exploring the history and physical traces of the Bièvre, a lost river in Paris. Once a vital waterway that flowed into the Seine, the river was entirely buried and built over by 1912 due to industrial pollution. In this updated re-release, we lead a "scavenger hunt" with a group of enthusiasts to find medallions, plaques, and architectural clues that reveal the river's hidden path through the 13th and 5th arrondissements. A highlight of the journey includes visiting a perfectly preserved medieval arch located deep beneath a modern post office. Oliver also ventures outside city limits with a colorful character named the "Comte de Saint-Germain" to wade through a restored section of the water. Finally, the discussion touches on future urban projects that aim to uncover parts of the Bièvre to help the city combat climate change. The music is from Pres Maxson. This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life. The Earful Tower exists…
People in this episode
Host: Oliver Gee
Guest: Lina
Topics covered
- history
- urban exploration
- environment
- Parisian culture
- lost waterways
- climate change
Sponsors
The Earful Tower Tours
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Patreon, Substack
Books & works: The Lost River of Paris: Searching for the Bièvre
Places: Paris, Seine, 13th arrondissement, 5th arrondissement
More episodes of The Earful Tower: Paris
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- The 17th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
- Cheese Crime in Paris: The Viral Dinner Party Photo That Shocked Us All
- The day I had Paris's best museum to myself (and risked missing my son's birth)
- Montmartre: The old village of a thousand facelifts
- The 18th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
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