Two women walking along the Seine in Paris.

Best walks in Paris

Take a stroll with us as we reveal our pick of the best walks in Paris.
By Stuart Bak

“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life”. So said Thomas Jefferson, third President of the USA and ambassador to his beloved France from 1785-1789.

Jefferson’s sentiments still ring true today: wander the city’s atmospheric streets and you too may discover the meaning of life in a magnificent monument, awe-inspiring view, or world-beating museum; perhaps even in the flavor explosion that is the humble macaron.

A Wander Through the Marais

With its maze of quaint cobbled streets, enchanting garden squares, tempting pâtisseries and delightful café culture, the Marais is a great place for a leisurely weekend stroll. Starting at Place de la Bastille, wander the Sunday food market for delicious fresh pastries and coffee before heading into the Marais proper. Your first stop is the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, where formal gardens surrounded by atmospheric arcades and picture-perfect 17th-century townhouses provide the ideal location to pause with your petit dejeuner and watch the world go by.

Meandering west through the narrow alleyways, you’ll soon reach the Musée National Picasso-Paris, where an impressive collection of over 700 of the master's sculptures and paintings awaits. You’ll find the museum’s excellent gift shop – containing some of the coolest Picasso souvenirs in town – just a little further along the street. Now head towards the Seine, pausing to smell the roses in the beautiful gardens of the Musée des Archives Nationales and to climb the flamboyant gothic tower of Saint-Jacques for wonderful views across Paris.

Back on terra firma, it’s a short stroll to the riverbank, where several soaring, arched bridges connect to Île de la Cité, the tiny island in the middle of the Seine that packs a ridiculous number of major attractions into its 55 acres, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, medieval Saint-Chapelle and the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned in the final days before her execution.

Musée d’Orsay to the Eiffel Tower

This delightful walk along the Seine’s Left Bank ticks off many of the city’s must see attractions, and boasts sweeping views across the water along the route. Start at the Musée d’Orsay, where paintings from masters including Van Gogh, Monet and Toulouse-Lautrec make up the biggest collection of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism on the planet. If you have the time, the fifth-floor Café Campana is well worth a visit for its excellent coffee and even better views – through a giant clock-face window – to the Louvre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

Heading west, pause to pay your respects at the statue of our old pal Thomas Jefferson and to take in the views of the spectacular Jardin des Tuileries across the Seine, before arriving at Les Invalides, a major military museum that houses Napoleon’s tomb beneath its extraordinary golden dome. Grab a selfie by the huge art nouveau lamps on the soaring Pont Alexandre III before continuing along to the intriguing Paris Sewer Museum and foliage-covered Musée du Quai Branly. Behind the amazing green wall of vegetation here lies an impressive collection of indigenous art and cultural artifacts from around the world, well worth an hour or two of your time.

From here it’s a hop and skip to that most iconic of Paris attractions, the Eiffel Tower. Here, if you still have enough juice left in the tank, you can climb the 674 steps to finish your walk on the second floor viewing platform. Or, perhaps more sensibly, take the elevator.

Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe

Mirroring the above route, this walk begins across the Seine at the Louvre, where you’ll want to tick off the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo before strolling through the Jardin des Tuileries, with its tree-lined avenues and dozens of sculptures by the likes of Rodin, Giacometti and Maillol. Green chairs by the park’s two tranquil ponds provide a great spot to take the weight off and enjoy the garden views.

Pause to admire Monet’s Water Lilies in the wonderful Musée de l’Orangerie before exiting the gardens onto Place de la Concorde. Immerse yourself in the history of this, the largest square in Paris and site of many key moments of the French revolution, including the execution by guillotine of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and Robespierre. Try to keep your head as you admire the grand fountains, palatial neo-classical buildings and towering Luxor Obelisk, then head away from the Seine and onto the Champs-Élysées.

Once you’ve had your fill of shopping for luxury designer goods and scoffing expensive macarons from the Ladurée store with its opulent green-and-gold facade, work off the sweet treats with a climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Your efforts will be rewarded with a stunning view back along the route you’ve just taken where, from your elevated vantage point, you'll see that the Champs-Élysées, obelisk, gardens and famous glass pyramid of the Louvre are all perfectly aligned.

Canal Saint-Martin to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Get off the beaten track and soak up the boho vibes on a stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin. This picturesque route takes in cute cafés, Venetian-style bridges, vibrant street art and shady spots to pause and skim stones, just as Amélie did in the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name.

Start where the Rue de Marseille joins the Quai de Valmy and head northwards past the boho bars and bistros and colorful waterside boutiques. Circumnavigate the Stalingrad Rotunda to reach the Villette canal basin where, in summer, the quays are transformed into artificial beaches complete with deckchairs, as part of the annual Paris Plages event.

A short detour away from the canal and onto Rues de l’Ourcq and Rue Germaine Tailleferre reveals some incredible contemporary street art. Then cross the Rue de Crimée lift bridge, the last of its kind in Paris – if you’re lucky, you might even get to see it in action, rising and falling as the boats bob along underneath.

Continuing along Rue de Crimée, you’ll eventually reach the beautiful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, from where you can create your own adventure by exploring its many paths, hills, valleys and grottoes, and climbing to its highest point at the colonnaded Temple de la Sybille.

 

A Romantic Stroll Around Montmartre

Get lost in the winding streets of Montmartre, following in the footsteps of vaunted artists including Renoir, Picasso, Degas and Modigliani. Surely one of the very best walks in Paris, a romantic meander around the famous butte takes in such sights as the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the grand confection that sits atop the hill and commands awe-inspiring views across Paris, particularly at sunset.

Head round to Instagrammers’ favorite Place du Tertre where, having taken a few dozen perfect snaps you can have your own image captured for posterity by the working artists dotted around the square behind their easels. Soak up the village-esque charm as you stroll on through the cobbled lanes, encountering attractions including the Moulin de la Galette windmill (immortalized by both Renoir and van Gogh), Café des Deux Moulins (the small brasserie that featured in Amélie) and the Musée de Montmartre. Set in one of the neighborhood’s oldest buildings, a glorious 17th-century mansion, it was once home to the studio of Renoir himself and extends to the beautiful gardens that so inspired him.

Of course, no walk through historic Montmartre would be complete without visiting the Moulin Rouge cabaret, spiritual home of the can-can. Best visited in the evening for the most atmospheric views of its iconic neon-lit red windmill, you’ll find it on the Boulevard de Clichy, at the bottom of Rue Lepic.

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Two-Day Paris Itinerary

Traveling to Paris but only have two days to soak up all the sights and sounds? It’s not only possible to see a representative slice of Paris in just a weekend, but it’s also a delightful way to squeeze in a quick vacation! We’ve put together a two-day itinerary for those weekend getaways to Paris. These ideas will give you a starting point for your explorations, and help you to make the most of your brief time in the city. Our sample itinerary for two days in Paris includes the following: The Louvre Musée de l'Orangerie Champs Élysées Shopping Hop-on Hop-off Paris Bus Tour Eiffel Tower Paris River Cruise Day 1: The Louvre A museum so renowned that it practically needs no introduction, the Louvre is one of the finest collections of art in the entire world. It’s the perfect place to visit on your first day in Paris, with so many iconic works of art, sculpture, and more to be found within its unique walls. The Louvre is also a remarkable structure in and of itself—the I.M. Pei-designed pyramids are gorgeous, perfectly Instagrammable architectural marvels. Plan to devote an entire morning to the Louvre, and leave a little time to just hang out in the courtyards outside the museum to people-watch. Musée de l'Orangerie Take a stroll through the inimitable Jardin des Tuileries (a seventeenth-century pleasure garden filled with elaborate botanical structures and statues) to get to your next attraction, the Musée de l'Orangerie. This unique museum combines its twentieth-century European art collection with one singularly remarkable gallery—a collection of eight water lily murals by Monet. It’s a singular experience to stand within the Monet gallery and turn in every direction to see those signature water lilies in every direction. This modestly-sized museum should take about an hour or so to explore fully. Champs Élysées Shopping End your day with a bit of retail therapy. You’re just steps from the Champs-Élysées neighborhood, which is notable for the Arc de Triomphe as well as its extensive luxury retail offerings. These days, you’ll also find some fast fashion, athletic apparel, and cosmetics alongside the iconic boutiques and signature European fashion houses. Other highlights of the neighborhood include the Grand Palais and the Champs-Élysées Garden, should you prefer to sightsee more instead of acquiring your next big fashion item. Plan to devote the remainder of your afternoon to exploring this exciting neighborhood. Day 2: Hop-on Hop-off Paris Bus Tour Start your second day in Paris with a comprehensive bus tour that will escort you around the city’s best landmarks. This hop-on hop-off option from Big Bus Paris is an excellent choice, with eleven premier stops including the Notre Dame, the Paris Opera House, the Grand Palais, and more. Use the bus to get around the city, or just ride the whole loop to enjoy the sightseeing. This fully-narrated tour is offered in more than eight languages, so no need to brush up on your French before visiting! If you choose to stay on the bus for the entire loop, set aside about two and a half hours. Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the entire world, so it’s a must-visit on your weekend in Paris itinerary. Use the hop-on hop-off bus tour to get here, and then stroll around the grounds. One of our favorite Instagram photos is a shot looking up at the Eiffel Tower from below! We especially like the way the Eiffel Tower looks at night when it’s illuminated and brilliant against the modern Paris skyline. So, it’s also an option to save this attraction until later in the day. Please keep in mind that you will need separate tickets if you’d like to go inside. Paris River Cruise After you’ve enjoyed a walk around the Eiffel Tower, or perhaps a picnic beneath it (one of our favorite ways to truly experience the city like a local), take a quick walk to the waterfront and hop aboard the Paris River Cruise. The Seine is a magnificent body of water, providing stellar views of the crowded city along its banks. Some of the sights you’ll enjoy from your vessel include Musée D'Orsay, Tuileries Gardens, Grand Palais, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Your cruise will last approximately one hour, leaving you plenty of time to find that perfect restaurant for dinner and wine. Save on Admission to Paris Attractions Payless to visit the attractions on this weekend in Paris itinerary with a Go Paris pass. Pay just 95 Euro for admission to these and other great attractions. This is an excellent value for those who want to scope out the best museums! Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal
View of Pont Neuf and Île de la Cité in Paris
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Where To Stay in Paris

Paris is so densely packed with amazing things to see and do, and so very well connected, that it’s impossible to pick a straight-out winner when it comes to deciding which arrondissement (neighborhood) to stay in. Rather, it’s best to choose based on the type of break you want to have. Traveling with kids? Book a stay in the 5th and 6th arrondissements. Looking for romance and great nightlife? That’d be Montmartre in the 18th. Check out our short guide to where to stay in Paris below. Best for Seeing it All Perched on the Seine’s Right Bank, Paris’s 1st arrondissement is premier by name and premier by nature. This compact little neighborhood is bang in the heart of the action and makes a fantastic base from which to explore the city. The jewel in the 1st’s crown is of course the Louvre – home to some of the most famous artworks in the world, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Stroll through Catherine de Médici's Jardin des Tuileries, a huge formal garden in the Italian Renaissance style, and spot Aristide Malliol’s larger-than-life female nudes among the park's hundreds of sculptures and statues. You’ll also find the Musée de l’Orangerie here, where several murals from Monet’s Water Lilies series rub shoulders with fellow Impressionist and Post-Impressionist greats including Picasso, Renoir, Matisse and Modigliani. Just over the 17th-century Pont Neuf – one of Paris’s most photogenic bridges – lies Île de la Cité, the tiny island in the middle of the Seine. It’s here you’ll find Notre-Dame Cathedral and medieval Sainte-Chapelle with its incredible soaring stained glass windows – as well as some of the best ice cream in Paris, at the Berthillon shop. The 1st also has you covered for shopping, with the huge Les Halles mall, plus 19th-century covered shopping arcades (and many more next door in the 2nd arrondissement) and big-name jewelers including Chanel, Bulgari, Cartier and Dior in and around Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix. On top of all this, you’re also just a hop and a skip from most of Paris’s other bucket-list attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the cute Marais district. And yet staying in le premier needn’t come at a premium. Alongside uber-luxury hotel brands like Mandarin Oriental and the Ritz are plenty of comfortable mid-range options. Best for Living Like a Local The largely residential nature of the 11th arrondissement makes it great for affordable Airbnb stays, meaning you get to live your best life in your very own Bastille apartment. Venture out to wander among the heady aromas of Marché Bastille and pick up freshly baked breads and pastries, fragrant fromages, local wines and more from the dozens of stalls here. This enormous open-air market runs from Place de la Bastille all the way down tree-lined Boulevard Richard-Lenoir every Thursday and Sunday. Being on the fringes of the main action needn’t mean missing out. Bars and restaurants are just as plentiful here as anywhere else, and you’ll find that brasseries, cafés and crêperies have a pleasantly local feel. You’re also within easy strolling distance of the Marais district, and there’s nothing more Parisian than waking on a Saturday, and wandering into its cobbled lanes for a morning coffee and a bag of sugary chouquettes from the boulangerie, as you window-shop the area’s cute independent shops and boutiques. Alternatively, a stroll south over Pont de Sully, with its picturesque views of tiny Île Saint-Louis, will take you straight to the boho Saint-Germain-des-Prés district and Latin Quarter. Best for First Timers First time visiting Paris? The 8th arrondissement provides a solid base for ticking off as many attractions as possible. A stay here places you within strolling distance of the Arc de Triomphe and vast Place de la Concorde, with its regal monuments and fountains, skyscraping Luxor Obelisk, and sweeping views across the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. Indulge in some luxury shopping on the Champs-Élysées, where you’ll find top-end brand names including Louis Vuitton and Chanel, as well as some of the poshest macarons in town at Ladurée and Pierre Hermé. It’s also from the 8th that the city’s Bateaux Parisiens set sail for sightseeing cruises along the Seine. These tours are a fun way to find your bearings and see a stack of attractions, including the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Grand Palais and Instagram-tastic Pont Neuf and Alexandre III bridges with minimal effort. Best with Kids Though all of Paris's arrondissements are well connected, the 1st to the 8th are the most central and therefore particularly well suited to families. A stay in any of these neighborhoods will minimize time spent zipping between attractions, as well as making it easier to nip back to the hotel when you discover you’ve left the diaper bag behind. There’s much to recommend the 5th and 6th for family breaks. Set on the Left Bank, these boho arrondissements are home to the historic Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhoods, where you’ll find stacks of family-friendly hotels and restaurants, as well as a legendary English-language bookstore and a fab Parisian candy shop, both sure to keep the little ones happy for a while. This is also the place for some of the most kid-friendly public parks in town: the Jardin du Luxembourg and Jardin des Plantes. Kids can enjoy puppet shows, pony rides and one of the biggest playgrounds in Paris in the Jardin du Luxembourg, while the stunning formal gardens and pétanque courts ensure there’s enough to keep the grown-ups happy, too. For a perfectly charming activity that you can all get on board with, there are old-fashioned wooden toy boats to rent and sail on the Grand Bassin lake in front of the Palais de Luxembourg. Nearby Jardin des Plantes is home to one of the world’s oldest zoos, which specializes in the preservation of endangered species including such cute critters as red pandas and giant Aldabra tortoises. You can also visit the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution on the park’s edge. This natural history museum showcases some incredibly lifelike taxidermy animals alongside meteorites, massive dinosaur fossils and several thousand plant species. Best for Couples Ah, the City of Love with its gorgeous monuments, cute sidewalk cafés, beautiful gardens and swoonsome, soaring bridges... Where better to go on a romantic break with your significant other? Even the most jaded of couples won’t fail to be seduced by Montmartre, the 18th-arrondissement butte (hill) that can lay legitimate claim to being the city’s most romantic spot. Here, among gently sloping cobbled alleyways and colorful, ivy-clad buildings, lie dozens of adorable bistros, sultry bars and gourmet food shops to help you plan your perfect picnic. Get your bearings on a walking tour then taking in the flamboyant hilltop confection that is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Head round the corner to have a cutesy couples’ portrait painted by one of the Place du Tertre’s resident artists and snap a selfie at the wildly romantic-sounding mur des je t’aime (that’s right: the wall of love). The 18th also boasts plenty of great nightlife, with world-famous entertainment including La Cigale concert hall and, of course, the magnificent Moulin Rouge cabaret. Step inside for high-kicking can-can dancing and risqué burlesque from some of the city’s finest performers. You can’t miss it: it’s the one with the neon-lit red windmill. Save on things to do in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak

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