Paris Top 10 : Walks in Paris – Top 10 Outdoor Activities

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  1. Jardin des Tuileries

    A
    stroll through the beautiful Tuileries Gardens is one of the must-dos
    of Paris. Before the Revolution this was a prime spot for the
    aristocracy to show off their latest fashions. The gardens are now part
    of the Musée du Louvre .




    Jardin des Tuileries



  2. The Left Bank

    A
    very Parisian walk, particularly on a Sunday, is along the Left Bank
    (Rive Gauche) of the Seine. The riverside quays of the Latin Quarter
    have been lined with second-hand bookstalls (bouquinistes) for centuries. The books are mostly in French, but you’ll also find stalls selling prints and postcards .




  3. Montmartre

    The
    steep streets of the Butte are a good place to get some exercise after
    indulging in the irresistible French cuisine. Although this famous
    artists’ quarter is more touristy than Bohemian these days, its old
    charms can still be found in the winding back streets and small squares .




    Montmartre

  4. The Marais

    With inspiring art galleries, delectable delis, and shop after shop filled with contemporary fashions and objets d’art,
    a walk in the Marais is great fun, even if you only window-shop. The
    beautiful mansions are a great backdrop for your stroll and there are
    plenty of cafés and bars for sustenance .




  5. Jardin des Plantes

    In
    this historic botanical garden you can escape the bustle of the city
    and lose yourself on the shady tree-lined avenues, amid colourful
    flowerbeds, or the hothouses and exotic gardens. Or simply relax on the
    lawns .




  6. Jardin du Luxembourg

    Napoleon
    designated this the “garden of children”, and whether or not you have
    little ones in tow you’ll enjoy a walk through this favourite haunt of
    the Latin Quarter. After you’ve seen the octagonal pond and the Medicis
    Fountain, seek out the miniature Statue of Liberty and the statues of
    French queens .




  7. The Passages

    These
    covered arcades
    around the Grands Boulevards were built at the end of the 18th
    century to shelter elegant shoppers
    from bad weather. Now lined with speciality and antiques shops,
    they are wonderfully atmospheric places to explore. Most are in the 2nd
    arrondissement, and connecting passages Verdeau, Jouffroy and Panoramas together form the longest in Paris.

  8. Ile St-Louis

    Although
    you could walk end to end in about 10 minutes, the Seine’s smaller
    island demands a more leisurely stroll. You’ll discover superb little
    art galleries, trendy boutiques, and a village-like atmosphere within
    this up-market enclave .




  9. Bois de Boulogne

    Come
    here at the weekend if you want to join the locals in the “great
    escape”, and you’ll have 8.65 sq km (3.34 sq miles) from which to choose
    your path. The Bagatelle Gardens are a fine place for a walk in spring
    and summer, when a stunning array of roses and other flowers are in
    bloom .




    Bois de Boulogne

  10. Boulevard St-Germain

    There’s
    no better way to enjoy the Latin Quarter than to do as the Parisians do
    – stroll the Boulevard St-Germain, preferably late on a Sunday morning.
    After your walk, honour the birthplace of café society with a coffee at
    either Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore, two of the city’s most famous
    literary and intellectual haunts .




    Boulevard St-Germain


Top 10 Outdoor Activities


  1. Walking

    Paris is a compact city so you can easily combine sightseeing with exercise.

  2. Roller-blading

    A fad which shows no sign of abating, skaters weave their way through traffic and pedestrians alike.

  3. Cycling


    Head for the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes to escape the Paris traffic, or grab a Vélib’ .

  4. Boating

    Boating lakes in the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes allow you to flex your rowing muscles.

  5. Jogging

    You can get your aerobic fix along the pathways of Paris’s parks and gardens.

  6. Table Tennis

    Try your luck at the outdoor concrete tables found in several parks and squares.

  7. Sunbathing

    De rigueur on the quais beside the Seine, especially during “Paris Plages” in July and August.

  8. Swimming

    There are 34 public pools in Paris, but hours are restricted during school terms. Or try the pool at the Forum des Halles.

  9. Football

    France’s football team has many young imitators in parks, gardens and streets.

  10. Posing

    A sport indulged in mainly by young men and women, it is best done at outdoor cafés to be sure of the biggest audience.