Méridienne verte

The Méridienne verte is a monument extending along the Paris Meridian across France. It connects over 330 municipalities across twenty departments, threading through both city centers and countryside areas.

Artist Paul Chemetov created this project as a monument for the year 2000 celebrations along the Paris Meridian line. That line had been essential in the 18th century for establishing the meter standard and continues to define French geography.

The meridian line carries the name of an imaginary boundary connecting France from north to south. Communities along its path gather to celebrate and experience this national link that runs through their neighborhoods.

The monument extends from northern France to the southern Pyrenees, so visitors can explore various regions along the way. The route passes through different landscapes, so good footwear and planning according to your chosen section are helpful.

In Ayrens in the Cantal region, specially planted trees form a cross marking where the line meets the 45th parallel. This spot lies exactly halfway between the North Pole and the Equator and was intentionally designed as a work of art.