Routes

This walk is perfect if you're already somewhat familiar with Paris, or if you're looking to discover the authentic city, off the beaten tourist path. You'll walk along the Canal Saint-Martin, which was cleaned up in early 2016. Its beautiful cast-iron bridges—as seen in movies such as Amélie—have been restored as well. The up-and-coming neighborhood around the canal is full of nice cafés and pop-up stores that sell all kinds of great knickknacks. 

 

Former working-class neighborhood Belleville is a fun district, part of which includes Chintatown. A lot of street art can be found here. This is a popular place to live for young Parisians, who also come here to enjoy the nightlife. There are plenty of great shops and places where they serve delicious and affordable food. Because this is a relatively new up-and-coming neighborhood, there are many hipster cafés with organic menus, gluten-free options, and top-notch coffee! 

 

The beautiful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and Parc de Belleville are located high up on hilltops, and offer amazing views out over the city. In the summer Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in particular is a popular spot to have a picnic.

 

Ménilmontant is a blue-collar neighborhood and a melting pot of many different cultures. You will find the famous Père-Lachaise cemetery here.

 

This walk is best suited for an afternoon, because this youthful neighborhood doesn't really come to life until later in the day. It's an area with many restaurants, cafés and music venues.

This scenic walk will take you past one of the world's most famous monuments, the Eiffel Tower, as well as Napoleon's tomb, museums and upscale stores.

 

Of course you can't travel to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. The lines may look discouraging, but you can buy your ticket online and climb the tower stairs to save time. There are even subterranean tours!

 

After a tasty lunch or coffee break, continue toward Les Invalides. This majestic military hospital, commissioned by Louis XIV, is famous for its golden dome, underneath which Napoleon's crypt can be found. The building has over 10 miles of corridors, and is also home to the Musée de l’Armée, ​​and a church that was built for wounded soldiers. Inside the flags for Napoleon's battles still hang on display. The courtyard remains in use as the prime location for important national ceremonies.

 

Stroll over the elegant Champs-Élysées. It starts at Place de la Concorde, with its Egyptian obelisk and, depending on the season, Ferris wheel. From this square you will have an amazing view out over monumental Paris. 

The Champs-Élysées has many upscale and expensive stores, such as Louis Vuitton, as well as larger and more affordable chain stores. 



Nearby the Champs-Élysées there are several other beautiful avenues, including Avenue Montaigne. Together with Avenue George V this forms Le Triangle d’Or ("golden triangle"). At the end of the Champs-Élysées you will find the Arc de Triomphe. It can be reached through the tunnel that runs underneath the busy square. 

This is a walk with many world-famous monuments, that everyone should see at least once.

 

Île de la Cité is where Paris's first residents lived. It is home to the Notre-Dame. This cathedral is definitely worth visiting, as is La Conciergerie, the prison where Marie-Antoinette spent her final days. The Sainte-Chapelle cathedral has beautiful stained-glass windows. You can enter it through the Palais de Justice. The other island, Île Saint-Louis, is known for its stately homes. This is one of the most expensive—and most desirable—parts of town. Who wouldn't want to live here?

 

Quartier Latin is home to major universities and prep schools. You will even encounter remnants of the Roman era here. The hilltop features the impressive Panthéon, where famous French are laid to rest, including Voltaire, Rousseau, and Victor Hugo. Nearby the Panthéon you will find the vibrant Rue Mouffetard, full of cafés and restaurants suitable for any budget. The charming Contrescarpe square offers a welcome break from all the surrounding hustle and bustle. Scenic Jardin du Luxembourg is also a pleasant escape.

 

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a neighborhood with many great designers and beautiful stores. You can find something for every budget here, because there are also plenty of studios of young designers. This walk will take you past cafés celebrated for their clientele of famous authors. Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir were regulars at Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. Philosophic events are still held here. Opposite the cafés lies Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the church with the oldest steeple in Paris.

This walk will take you through a vibrant neighborhood full of variety. The route takes you to the bustling area near Les Halles, which used to be home to the city's food market. In this part of town, life underground is perhaps even busier. You will find the largest Métro station, a huge shopping center, a swimming pool and several movie theaters, all below street level. Henri de Miller's sculpture

L’Écoute ("Listen") is a playful nod to all the hustle and bustle here: A giant stone head with its ear cupped to the ground.

 

The Saint-Eustache church has a grand exterior, and is certainly worth visiting. Inside you will find artworks including a painting by Rubens and a triptych by Keith Haring.

In the busy surroundings of Les Halles you will find many shopping streets with original stores, such as a store that sells every imaginable type of cooking utensil. Rue Montorgueil is a fun street, perfect for a coffee or lunch break. 



Continue through the tiny streets that lead into Le Marais. This charming neighborhood is defined by secluded courtyards, narrow alleyways, and the lovely Place des Vosges. This beautiful square is a great place to rest. On Sundays, many Parisians come to Le Marais to eat falafel, or to sit at a sidewalk café and people-watch. There are many nice stores here, cozy restaurants, and the recently expanded Picasso museum. The neighborhood is also known for its gay nightlife.

On this walk you will see beautiful architecture, museums, original shops, and the Grands Boulevards with their world-famous department stores. From the boulevard just south of Montmartre you can head further south to the Seine. Alon​​​g the way you'll find many cozy cafés and restaurants, and original clothing stores. The area around Rue des Martyrs has many great stores, where the souvenirs are far more original than the Eiffel Tower.



Stroll through scenic shopping arcades with an array of unique stores, such as a cane store, to arrive at the Grands Boulevards. In the 19th century these arcades were as busy as a subway station during rush hour. Everyone came here to see and be seen. These were among the first places to have heating and plumbing, which at the time was an attraction in itself. Aside from original stores, you will also find some great restaurants here, and a wonderful candy shop. The boulevards are lined with chain stores and beautiful, world-famous department stores. Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps are both worth visiting, even if only for looking around. They both have great rooftop terraces, which offer magnificent views.



Around the square where La Madeleine church is located are numerous luxury and specialty food stores like Fauchon and La Maison de la Truffe. A sight to behold, with chauffeurs waiting in their cars while Madame or Monsieur shops inside. Make sure you stop and sample the wares! 



This walk has something for everyone: Shopping for every budget, beautiful architecture and museums, restaurants with great food and cozy café patios.

This walk will take you through artistic, hip, touristy and yet typically French northern Paris. You'll pass by touristy squares and monuments, but also walk through incredibly charming little French streets. From lesser-known Batignolles and the big markets, you'll walk past the Sacré-Coeur and Place du Tertre, and into the famous Montmartre neighborhood.

 

Batignolles is divided into a somewhat lower class section, and an area for yuppies. Montmartre also has two different types of neighborhoods—one very touristy, and the other typically French. An ideal combination. Despite the crowds that flock to see the sights and gather at Place du Tertre, Montmartre and Batignolles maintain a small-town feel. Originally, these neighborhoods were villages located outside the city limits. Later they were annexed to Paris, but their proud residents retain a sense of independence from the big city.

 

Pass behind the Sacré-Coeur to reach the rustic part of Montmartre. Here you will find the restaurants where Picasso came to enjoy free meals. Avenue Junot and Villa Léandre are desirable addresses with affluent residents. Stop at one of the many bakeries, where you can often sit down in the store for coffee and a treat. This neighborhood has beautiful shops, with original clothing and souvenirs.

 

The uphill climb is certainly demanding, but the view is definitely worth it. When you reach the top, you will see the entire city of Paris below. There is no better way to end the day than resting at the top of this hill, and watching the sun set behind all the monumental sights.