This place has it all! It is the epitome of French and climbing culture all smashed into one!…read more Being a huge tourist, it was a little bit difficult to find, since, like all other climbing gyms on earth, it's in a industrial area with little to no signage. However, it was worth the trek from central Paris.
Usually, I have three things on my mind - Food, coffee, and climbing. This place had all three!!! Speaking moderately bad French, the staff were exceedingly helpful to get me signed up for a day pass. They explained everything very well! I got a coffee and proceeded to try to pay before my climb, but it was more or less an honor system... very laissez-faire! Evidently you pay after climbing? Who knows?!?! I just asked to pay before I left.
The bouldering was really really nice. The routes are on the moderate scale, and definitely doable! I liked the smaller nooks, were the peering eyes of the day crowd (all men somehow) could not see. Saying that though, they were all gentlemanly and made me feel welcome and not creepy! A plus for climbing ladies! I'm not sure if it's a French thing or if the space wasn't large enough, but instead of sitting on the floor, most of the guys sat in chairs and sofas aligned next to the routes, but off of the mats. I also loved the treadmills and the traversal walk they had upstairs.
It seems like they re set often since they were re doing some routes as o was leaving. I hope to be back one day!!!