Whether you’re looking for ideas for walks, tourist spots to explore on foot, well-planned walking routes or simply picturesque neighborhoods that don’t feature in the guidebooks, I’ve got something to surprise even the most jaded Parisians!
In a hurry? Here are my favorite walks in a nutshell:
- A must for any first visit: Classic walk of the most iconic monuments
- For a romantic, bohemian atmosphere: A romantic walk in Montmartre
- Discover contemporary art and architecture: Stroll through the covered passages
1. A Classic Tour of Iconic Landmarks
- Route: Eiffel Tower → Trocadéro → Champs-Élysées → Arc de Triomphe → Place de la Concorde → Jardin des Tuileries → Louvre Museum → Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Areas covered: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Louvre, Île de la Cité
- Map:
- Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
- Walking time/tour: 4-6 hours
- Theme: Main Landmarks
- Highlights:
- Admire the most famous monuments in Paris
- Enjoy the gardens and historic squares
- Impressive views from the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe
- Shopping and cafés along the Champs-Élysées
- The cultural and artistic wealth of the Louvre
2. Romantic Walk
- Route: Montmartre (Place Saint Pierre) → Basilique du Sacré-Cœur → Place du Tertre → Rue Saint Rustique → Rue de l’Abreuvoir → I Love You Wall
- Neighborhoods: Montmartre
- Map:
- Distance: 1.8 km (1.2 miles)
- Walking time/tour: 2-3 hours
- Theme: Romantic Paris
- Highlights:
- Discover the bohemian charm of Montmartre
- Panoramic views of Paris from the Sacré-Cœur
- Street artists and painters on Place du Tertre
- The romantic atmosphere of the Rue Saint-Rustique
3. Cultural and Historical Walk
- Route: Notre Dame de Paris → Île de la Cité → Sainte-Chapelle → Bouquinistes de la Seine Quartier Latin (rue de la Huchette) → Sorbonne → Panthéon → Jardin du Luxembourg → Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Neighborhoods: Latin Quarter, Île de la Cité, Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Map:
- Distance: 4 km (2.4 miles)
- Walking time/tour: 4-5 hours
- Theme: Historical Paris
- Highlights:
- Visit places that are iconic of Paris’s intellectual history
- Explore the gardens and academic institutions
- The magnificent stained glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle
- The student atmosphere of the Latin Quarter
- Antiquarian booksellers along the Seine
4. A Walk Along the Seine
- Route: Pont Alexandre III → Grand Palais → Petit Palais → Place de la Concorde → Pont Neuf → Île de la Cité → Île Saint-Louis
- Neighborhoods: Champs-Élysées, Louvre, Île de la Cité, Île Saint-Louis
- Map:
- Distance: 5.1 km (3.1 miles)
- Walking time/tour: 4-5 hours
- Theme: Seine River
- Highlights:
- Walk along the banks of the Seine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Cross historic bridges and admire the views over the city
- The sumptuous architecture of the Grand Palais and Petit Palais
- The charming atmosphere of the Seine islands
- Boat cruises are available on the way
5. A Stroll Through Medieval and Mysterious Paris
- Route: Marais → Place des Vosges → Musée Carnavalet → Rue des Rosiers → Hôtel de Ville → Tour Saint-Jacques → Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
- Neighbourhoods: Le Marais
- Map:
- Distance: 3.5 km (2.1 miles)
- Walking time/tour: 2-3 hours
- Theme: Medieval Paris
- Highlights:
- Explore the Marais, one of the oldest districts in Paris
- Discover the narrow streets and private mansions
- History of the Musée Carnavalet
- The Jewish Quarter and its culinary delights in the Rue des Rosiers
- Grab a bit at Marché des Enfants Rouges
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6. Art and Architecture Walk
- Route: Centre Pompidou → Place Igor Stravinsky → Rue Quincampoix → Les Halles → Palais Royal → Opéra Garnier
- Neighborhoods: Beaubourg, Les Halles, Palais Royal, Opéra
- Map:
- Distance: 3.2 km (2 miles)
- Walking time/tour: 2-3 hours
- Theme: Artsy Paris
- Highlights:
- Visit the Centre Pompidou, an example of modern architecture
- Admire the historic buildings and works of art in the open air
- The Stravinsky Fountain and its colorful sculptures
- Shopping and life around Les Halles
- Guided tour of the Opéra Garnier recommended
7. A Walk Through the Covered Passages
- Route: Passage Choiseul → Galerie Vivienne → Passage des Panoramas → Passage Jouffroy → Passage Verdeau
- Neighborhoods: Grands Boulevards, Palais Royal, Opéra
- Map:
- Distance: 1.4 km (0.8 miles)
- Walking time/tour: 1.5-2 hours
- Theme: Paris’s secret passages
- Highlights:
- Explore the 19th-century covered passageways
- Enjoy the charming boutiques, cafés and bookshops
- The historic and intimate atmosphere of the passages
- Fashion and antique shops in the Galerie Vivienne
- Picturesque cafés and patisseries
8. A Walk Through the Bohemian and Artistic Districts
- Route: Canal Saint-Martin → Rue Sainte-Marthe → Rue Denoyez → Parc de Belleville → Belleville → Parc des Buttes Chaumont
- Neighborhoods: Canal Saint-Martin, Belleville, Parc des Buttes Chaumont
- Map:
- Distance: 4.4 km (2.7 miles)
- Walking time/tour: 4-6 hours
- Theme: Bohemian and artistic Paris
- Highlights:
- Explore the alternative and creative districts
- Street art and art galleries along the Canal Saint-Martin
- The bohemian and cosmopolitan atmosphere of Belleville
- Panoramic views of Paris from the Parc de Belleville
9. A Walk Through the Chinatown District
- Route: Place d’Italie → Parc de Choisy → Avenue de Choisy → Avenue d’Ivry → Epicerie Tang Frères
- Neighborhoods: Chinatown, 13th arrondissement
- Map:
- Distance: 1.7 km (1 mile)
- Walking time/tour: 2-3 hours
- Theme: Multicultural Paris
- Highlights:
- Taste Asian specialities
- The lively, colorful atmosphere of the streets
- Buddhist temples and traditional decorations
- Shop at Tang Frères, the best Asian supermarket in France
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
