You have a few spare hours – or even a whole day – and you would like to visit Paris by foot? Here is our selection of itineraries that will blow your mind. Whether you are a proved hiker or an occasional walker, you will find one that suits your capacities.
Our recommended walking itineraries
Quick walks (less than 3 miles)
You have a few spare hours? Here are the walks for you. These quick itineraries follow already-existing paths. You only have to follow them, there is no way for you to get lost or to take an accidental detour.
1) La Coulée Verte René-Dumont (1.8 miles)
La Petite Ceinture (the small belt) was built during the Second Empire; it was a 22 miles long railroad around Paris. It was abandoned after the creation of the metro. Only a few sections are still accessible.
La Coulée Verte René-Dumont is one of these sections, even though the tracks have been taken away. The trail passes above roads, parks and buildings.
- The itinerary begins at “1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 75012 Paris”. A staircase on the left side of the building will take you to the start of La Coulée Verte, on the rooftop.
- Follow the path until it stops, at the crossing at the end of the Allée Vivaldi.
- If you can’t find the signs indicating the path to the otherside of La Coulée Verte, go through the tunnel under the Rue de Reuilly (easily recognizable with its multiple fountains). The trail is on the other side.
- For the other half of the itinerary, you only have to follow the path.
2) La Petite Ceinture of the 15th District (1,2 miles)
Once again the walk follows La Petite Ceinture, but this time the tracks are still in place.
A plan to support the wildlife has the section looking like a piece of countryside in the middle of Paris. More than 220 species of plants and animals have been identified – including some endangered species, such as the Spotted Flycatcher.
To make the itinerary as relaxing as possible, we made La Petite Ceinture connect Georges Brassens Park, with its picturesque alleys, and André Citroën Park – renowned for its history and fountains.
- The trail begins in Georges Brassens Park where you can relax while walking in the alleys and around the pond.
- Exit the park through the Rue de Dantzig, turn right and then left to get to the Rue de la Saïda.
- Continue until the street crosses the Rue Olivier de Serres.
- Turn left and seek building no.101. A staircase will give you access to La Petite Ceinture.
- Follow it to the very end where a staircase will take you back to the street.
- Turn left on the Rue Leblanc and then right on Rue Saint-Charles.
- You will find an access at No.226 that will take you straight to André Citroën Park.
The flexible itineraries (between 3 and 6 miles)
You have more time to walk through Paris, but you don’t know where to start? Our two itineraries are enjoyable by themselves but also flexible.
If you are attracted to one of the locations, you can easily extend your time there and turn your medium walk (about an hour and a half) into an afternoon or even a day-long walk.
3) The legendary monuments of Paris (4.3 miles)
Whether you are a tourist or an inhabitant of the city, re-discovering the classics can be a good thing. That is the purpose of this itinerary, which will take you through the different monuments of the capital.
You will explore Notre-Dame, the Louvre museum and its pyramid, the Tuileries Garden, the National Assembly, the Invalides, the Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro.
- The trail begins on the esplanade of Notre-Dame and follows the Seine river up to the Pont des Arts – over which you will cross to get onto the right bank.
- Enter the majestic Louvre courtyard and turn left to get to Cour Napoléon, in which stands The Pyramid of the Louvre.
- Cross the roundabout and go through the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Enter the Tuileries Garden and wander through it for as long as you want.
- When you are done, follow the central alley to exit the garden through the Passerelle Léopold Sédar Senghor. Cross it and turn left.
- Enjoy the view while walking along Quai Anatole France up to the Bourbon Palace.
- Turn left on Rue Aristide Briand and you will face the National Assembly.
- Continue on Rue de l’Université until it crosses Avenue du Maréchal Gallieni; follow it up to Les Invalides.
- Follow Rue Grenelle until you reach the Champ de Mars. Observe Paris from this breathtaking point of view and follow the path to get under the Eiffel Tower.
- Cross the Pont d’Iéna and enter the Trocadero Gardens. Follow the straight line that they form, and you will get to the esplanade.
- Enjoy the iconic view of Paris.
4) The parks of the city (4.3 miles)
You feel like going out to clear your mind? This itinerary is for you. You will (re)discover the most beautiful parks and gardens of the city.
You can choose to strictly follow our guidelines or to take more time to visit the different locations.
- The itinerary will take you through the Luxembourg Garden and its beautiful palace in the background, the Botanic Garden and its rare species, the Bercy Park and finally the picturesque Île de Reuilly in the Vincennes woods – the perfect place to end a beautiful day with a picnic.
- The itinerary begins in the middle of the Luxembourg Garden, in front of the Luxembourg Palace. Exit the garden through Boulevard Saint-Michel and follow Rue Gay-Lussac, and then Rue Le Goff, to find Rue Malebranche.
- Continue straight ahead at each crossroad and you will reach Place de la Contrescarpe.
- Follow Rue Lacépède until you reach the Botanic Garden.
- Wander through the alleys until you find Quai d’Austerlitz. Walk along the bank and cross the river via the Simone de Beauvoir bridge.
- Cross the street and enter Bercy park.
- Exit the park through Rue de Bercy and turn left in the direction of Place Lachambeaudie. Follow Rue Proudhon until it crosses Rue de Charenton.
- Turn left to get on Rue de Wattignies. Continue straight ahead at each crossroads until you reach Vincennes woods.
- Follow the signs indicating Île de Reuilly and cross the bridge to get there. Turn right and follow the path that will take you to the romantic Temple and the caves underneath.
- You can visit the rest of the island by turning left again.
Guided tours
You would like to learn things while enjoying your walk? Walking alone is not for you and you would like to meet new people? Why not go on a guided tour? There is a tour on pretty much every theme, in every language and for every budget.
Paid tours
5) The Dark Legends of Paris
You would like to discover the paved alleys of Paris, and hear the stories of the bloody murders and weird secrets of the city? The Dark Legends of Paris tour is what you’re looking for!
Prices: €15/person
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
6) The Parisian Street Art
You would like to know more about the art covering the walls of the Paris? Follow Alexis on a tour that will take you through Le Marais and its Street Art with a Polaroid Camera.
Prices: €65/person (on a six person-basis)
Duration: 2 hours
7) Visit Montmartre
You would not be the first person to fall in love with the electric atmosphere of Montmartre District. If you go on the Guided Walking Tour of Montmartre, the paved alleys and the breathtaking views of the district will have no secrets for you.
Prices: €29/person
Duration: 2 hours
Free tours
8) The Tuileries Garden
It is not something that a lot of people know about, but free visits and tours of the parks of the city are available.
You can, for example, visit the Tuileries Garden between March and December.
9) The Magic of Cinema in Paris
The ‘seventh art’ loves Paris and Paris loves it back.
The city council put the Parcours Cinéma (website in french) in place, with which you will discover the districts of Paris through different filming locations. Different itineraries are available.
10) Paris Greeters
Greeters are not exactly tour guides offering guided tours, but rather passionate volunteers conducting free walks in their own living areas.
This positions them as a complement to professional guides who are dedicated to heritage visits, themed walks, etc.
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!
