The place To Go Working In Paris: 10 Finest Spots

Enthusiastic about some scenic working in Paris or maybe only a beautiful stroll? Listed here are 10 of one of the best spots which might be positioned in stunning areas and embrace parks, gardens and promenades. These are the favorite locations to run in Paris chosen by informal and seasoned runners and flaneurs too (flaneurs are these simply out for a stroll). You’ll be able to select to run a wide range of distances, from 1 kilometre to 13 kilometres. It’s actually an fascinating solution to uncover Paris on foot!

Working In Paris: Routes To Contemplate And Keep away from

Finest Working Spots in Paris

Once I stayed in Paris, my condo within the Marais neighbourhood was the perfect location for accessing plenty of working spots—some shut and a few simply over the river—-such because the Promenade Plantée, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Luxembourg Gardens, Jardin des Plantes, and Bois de Vincennes.

Not surprisingly, plenty of the Paris working routes that I’ve chosen are literally a part of some well-known Paris working races, such because the Marathon de Paris, the Paris Half Marathon, and the 20km de Paris.  [To read out my post about running in France, click here]

The very best locations to run in Paris are primarily positioned away from site visitors and automobile fumes. You’ll be able to run to those spots or take the Metro after which begin your run when you arrive.  The routes are sometimes in areas with some shade and even consuming fountains so it’s nice should you’re working on a scorching day and need to maintain hydrated. Some parks even have free public bathrooms.

Routes To Keep away from In Paris

For essentially the most half, I like to recommend avoiding the favored streets of Paris, just like the Champs Elysées and Saint Michel, or alongside the Seine river if you find yourself on the higher sidewalk of the primary street (ie. Quai Francois Mitterrand).  Generally there are cobblestones you could simply journey on, crowded sidewalks, and quite a few site visitors lights.  So that you’ll be stopping and beginning continuously. If you wish to run alongside the river, try the primary route on my checklist beneath. There are extra particulars on what it’s like and the place to do your run.

If you happen to’re considering working in a Paris cemetery or alongside Canal Saint Martin, verify the FAQ on the finish. These two areas should not included in my checklist for good purpose.

1. Working Alongside The Seine River

(a) Overview

Are you able to run alongside the Seine on the left financial institution (Rive Gauche) or proper financial institution (Rive Droite)? Sure, and it’s a scenic run going alongside the riverbanks of the Seine river, passing by iconic monuments and museums corresponding to Notre Dame Cathedral, La Conciergerie, Musée d’Orsay, and arriving to view the Eiffel Tower

You’ll want to know the place precisely to run. There are sidewalks alongside lots of the quais, corresponding to Quai Francois Mitterrand, Quai Anatole France, and Quai des Grands Augustines. These are the primary roads which might be really above the river and whereas there could be timber offering shade on a scorching day, the draw back is that there could be quite a lot of site visitors lights and pedestrians to get round.

I choose working down beneath the key roads on the smaller quays on the banks of the Seine. They’re typically known as promenades (or voies). Understand that you continue to could be on a sidewalk, alongside cars; nonetheless, there are far fewer autos on these roads.

The one little bit of frustration is that you just aren’t in a position to run continuous on all the promenade or voie east-west. The promenade is damaged into sections. Whereas typically you run underneath a bridge, there are different occasions you need to go up some stairs to the primary avenue after which again down a ramp to the subsequent part of the promenade. If you happen to actually need to run this space of Paris, take into account doing all of your run earlier than 8:00 am, earlier than the frenzy hour begins. In any other case, the site visitors and lights will drive you loopy.

Nearest Metro Stations To The Seine River For The Begin In The East: Sully-Morland, Jussieu, Pont Marie, Cité, or Chatelet

(b) Route And Distances

The next are routes which have working paths alongside the Seine River, between Pont de Sully within the east (SW of Place de la Bastille) and the Eiffel Tower within the west. I choose working on the south aspect for just a few causes.

One, there are longer stretches the place you don’t have to return to avenue degree. Two, there appear to be extra developed, garden-like areas such because the Jardin de l’Archipel des Berges de Seine Niki de Saint-Phalle which might be good to run via. And eventually, you are inclined to cross extra developed areas the place there’s leisure and eating. There are a variety of barges that serve drinks and meals. The one draw back is the part at  Voie Categorical Rive Droite which isn’t as properly developed.

(i) Route On The Rive Droite (north side-east to west route)

• head west on Voie Georges Pompidou to rue de l’Amiral de Coligny (2 kilometers)
• south of Jardin des Tuileries west alongside Port de la Concorde, to Port des Champs Elysées, to Port de la Convention, Voie Georges Pompidou, Port Debilly, to La Tour Eiffel on le Pont d’Iena (2.6 kilometers)

(ii) Route On The Rive Gauche (south side-east to west route)

• head west on Port de la Tournelle then alongside the Bords de Seine de Paris, passing by Notre Dame Cathedral in your proper, alongside Quai des Saints-Pères,  Promenade Edouard Glissant, Promenade Gisele Halimi, Voie Categorical Rive Droite, after which Port de la Bourdonnais to the Eiffel Tower on le Pont d’Iena (5.4 kilometres)

(c) Professionals and Cons Of Working Alongside the Seine River

2. Luxembourg Gardens (6ème arr.)

(a) Overview

Luxembourg Gardens is among the most stunning locations to hang around and it’s a very fashionable place to go jogging in Paris, particularly on a pleasant day. You’ll usually see folks having lunch right here so it may be significantly busy. There’s a working or strolling path that follows the perimeter of the gardens.

Luxembourg Gardens has a number of entrances together with rue de Vaugirard, rue Guynemer, and rue Auguste Comte.

Opening Hours: someday between 7:30-8:15 am and closes between 4:30 and 9:30, relying on the season

Nearest Metro Stations To Luxembourg Gardens: Rennes, Saint-Placide, and Odéon

(b) Route And Distance

Route: working across the perimeter of the gardens

Distance: any distance you select, the place 1 loop is about 2 km

(c) Professionals And Cons Of Working In Luxembourg Gardens

3. Parc Monceau (8ème arr.)

(a) Overview

Parc Monceau is positioned within the elegant eighth arrondissement and I feel it’s probably the most picturesque locations to run. Constructed within the 1770s, it wasn’t till the 1850s that the town of Paris purchased it and turned it right into a public park. It was a part of the rebuilding of Paris by Baron Haussmann.

Within the neighborhood, one can find Nineteenth-century mansions and Musée Jacquemart-Andre and the Musée Nissim de Camondoand. One of many entrances has an ornate, golden gilded gate. It’s positioned on Av. Ruysdaë.

Throughout the park is a duck pond encircled by a Corinthian colonnade. There are additionally sculptures, bridges, a kids’s playground, a carousel, a miniature Egyptian pyramid, and plenty of grassy areas for picnics. This park may be very well-liked with nature lovers, painters, joggers, and households, particularly on weekends.

Opening Hours: 7 am-10 pm (summer time) and seven am-8 pm (winter)

Nearest Metro Station: Monceau

(b) Route And Distance

Route: There are a variety of allées (alleys or paths) that go across the perimeter and everywhere in the park, so you’ll be able to mainly run in no matter route you need to get in your mileage.

Distance: 1 loop across the perimeter is simply over 1 kilometre

(c) Professionals and Cons Of Working In Parc Monceau

4. Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte René-Dumont) (12ème arr.)

(a) Overview

Promenade Plantée is also called Coulée Verte René-Dumont, a greenway that could be a fantastic, peaceable place for a stroll or run. I ran from Coulée Verte René-Dumont to La Petite Ceinture du 12ème and the gap there and again was about 7 kilometres.

As I wrote on this publish, “Enjoyable Paris Oasis: Promenade Plantée”, this pathway is on former railway tracks positioned simply south of Place de la Bastille and continues to Bois de Vincennes. Right this moment it’s tree-lined with flowerbeds, benches, and a tunnel or two, all the best way right down to the peripherique and the Petite Ceinture of the 12 arrondissement.

The Petite Ceinture (“little belt”) was a railway that encircled Paris within the 1800s and early 1900s. After the trains fell into disuse, SNCF went about renovating the areas and at this time some sections have gardens and playgrounds and a few components of the observe are accessible in several arrondissements, corresponding to within the twelfth arrondissement. I solely ran so far as La Petite Ceinture and didn’t run alongside it. It’s not paved and I most popular staying within the open for security causes.

Opening Hours: 8:00-8:30 pm (summer time) and eight:00-5:30 pm (winter). Generally open later (ie. 9:00 am) on weekends.

Nearest Metro Stations To Promenade Plantée: Ledru-Rollin, Bastille, and Quai de La Rapée

(b) Route And Distance

Route: from Coulée Verte René-Dumont (1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont)  to Le Petite Ceinture du 12ème (12 rue Rottenbourg)

Distance: about 7 km return

(c) Professionals and Cons Of Working On Promenade Plantée

5. Jardin des Plantes (5ème arr.)

(a) Overview

One in every of my favorite museums, Grand Galerie de l’Evolution, is positioned on this fantastic backyard, Jardin des Plantes, which is well-liked for working. There are many timber offering shade and it’s a fairly space with plenty of flower gardens.

Opening Hours: 8:00-5:30 pm (winter), 7:30-8:00 pm (Spring/Summer season), and eight:00-6:30 in October. Examine the official web site for actual hours. Web site: https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/en

Nearest Metro Stations: Place Monge, Jussieu, and Censier-Daubenton

(b) Route And Distance

Route: You are able to do a loop or run up and down the pathways to present you extra selection and distance.

Distance: any distance you select, the place 1 loop is about 2 km.

(c) Professionals And Cons Of Working In Jardin des Plantes

6. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (19ème arr.)

(a) Overview

If you happen to’re in search of hill coaching Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is the place to go. Sadly, you’ll must journey via the Belleville neighbourhood with plenty of site visitors. When you undergo the gates, you’ll be in a beautiful park with a lake (Lac des Buttes-Chaumont).

There are such a lot of totally different routes you could take because the paths crisscross everywhere in the park. You’ll be able to even run as much as the Temple de la Sybille, though proper now it’s closed resulting from building, so you’ll be able to’t enter it.

Opening Hours: Open each day 7:00 am-10:00 pm; nonetheless occasions typically fluctuate and they’re going to shut it whether it is particularly windy or if there’s unhealthy climate.

Nearest Metro Stations:  Buttes-Chaumont and Botzaris

(b) Route And Distance

Route: Run the perimeter of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont or simply observe any path

Distance: any distance you select the place 1 loop across the perimeter is about 3 km

(c) Professionals And Cons Of Working In Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

7. Bois de Boulogne (16ème arr.)

(a) Overview

Bois de Boulogne is positioned within the western area of Paris, simply past the Peripherique. It was initially royal land for searching however in 1852, Emperor Napoleon III turned it right into a public park masking an space of 2088 acres (845 hectares).

This can be a big park, with plenty of lakes and a grand cascade. It’s a well-liked place for picnics, horseback using, rowing, working, and biking. There are additionally quite a few gardens (ie. rose and English), the Hippodrome de Longchamp racecourse, the Jardin d’Acclimatation amusement park, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the Stade Roland Garros, the place the French Open Tennis match takes place.

On this park, there’s additionally the Château de Bagatelle and behind it’s Villa Windsor, the home the place the Duke of Windsor and his spouse, Wallis Simpson lived within the Fifties and Nineteen Sixties. The home is owned by the Metropolis of Paris however leased to Mohamed Al-Fayed, the proprietor of the Ritz Resort.

Paris races, such because the Paris Marathon, the 20km de Paris, and the 10km Pour Le Climat (formally known as the “10 km Bois de Boulogne”), have routes that undergo this park.

The one draw back of this park is that it isn’t secure to run right here at evening. The realm is thought for legal actions (ie. medicine) and prostitution. I felt pretty secure working there in the course of the weekday, nonetheless, to be sincere, I want there had been extra folks round. A weekend might need been higher.

Opening Hours: Open each day, 24 hours a day

Nearest Metro Stations: Porte Dauphine, Les Sablons, Neuilly Porte-Maillot, Ranelagh, Jasmin, and La Muette

(b) Route And Distance

Route: There are such a lot of paths on this park and I particularly loved working alongside Lac Inferieur, passing by Le Chalet des Iles, which is on an island in the midst of the lake. You may do a loop round one of many lakes (Lac Inferieur or the smaller Lac Superieur).

Distance: About 5.5 km to do a loop round Lac Inferieur (from Porte Dauphine entrance to the Cascade du Bois de Boulogne and again)

(c) Professionals and Cons Of Working In Bois de Boulogne

8. Bois de Vincennes (12ème arr.)

(a) Overview

I’ve completed many races which have gone via Bois de Vincennes. The Paris Marathon and Semi-marathon de Paris undergo this wooded space.  It’s the biggest park in Paris that’s positioned on the periphery of jap Paris. Runners (and bicyclists) particularly like this park as a result of it’s so large (2459 acres or 995 hectares).

The park has quite a lot of timber, flowers, and a gorgeous out of doors setting. Adjoining the park is the botanical backyard, Parc Floral de Paris, so should you’re there when the flowers are in bloom, its an much more stunning place to run or go for a stroll. Additionally within the park is a lake, Lac Daumesnil (with 2 islands) the place you’ll be able to hire a ship. There’s additionally a playground, eating places, an arboretum, and the Paris Zoological Park (Parc Zoologique de Paris).

On the entrance to the park is Château de Vincennes, which was the royal courtroom for a lot of Kings of France from the 1100s to the 1700s. It was additionally a jail and navy base. Within the mid-1800s Emperor Louis Napoleon III and Georges-Eugène Haussmann reworked it right into a park. Right this moment the château is open to the general public for visits.

Sure sections of the park are open to site visitors however you’ll find areas the place it’s traffic-free (albeit, there are bicyclists).

Opening Hours: Bois de Vincennes is open each day, 24 hours a day [Note: Parc Floral de Paris is free only in the off-season (October-March). It is open 9:30-5pm (winter) and later in the Spring and Fall. Check the official website for information LINK: https://www.paris.fr/lieux/parc-floral-de-paris-1

Nearest Metro Stations: Château de Vincennes

(b) Route And Distance

Route: There are several pathways to do your run. One option is to start at Château de Vincennes, run toward Parc Floral de Paris, and then on to Lac des Minimes. From there, run back to Château de Vincennes then head south almost to the end of the park where there’s a water fountain (Fontaine des Bois). From there turn northwest towards Lac Daumesnil and then back to Château de Vincennes.

Distance: 13.5 km loop

(c) Pros And Cons Of Running In Bois de Vincennes

9. Jardin des Tuileries (1ère arr.)

(a) Overview

Certainly one of the most famous gardens in Paris is Jardin des Tuileries and as a result, it can be busy, but picturesque. There are only a few paths that parallel rue de Rivoli, so running through the gardens could be part of a longer run as this area is small. I have actually run from the Louvre, through the gardens, down the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe; however, I do not recommend adding this section if you can help it. There are too many traffic lights and maneuvering around the crowds on the Champs Elysées sidewalk can be a pain.

Opening Hours: 7:30 am-7:30 pm (January-March and October-December); 7:00 am-9:00 pm (April, May, September); 7:00 am-11:00 pm (June, July, and August).

Nearest Metro Stations: Tuileries

(b) Route And Distance

Route: a run from the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to the Place de la Concorde entrance will take you through the gardens

Distance: to Place de la Concorde and back is about 2 kilometres

(c) Pros And Cons Of Running In Jardin des Tuileries

10. Champs de Mars (7ème arr.)

(a) Overview

Just in front of the Eiffel Tower is the Champs de Mars….meaning the field of Mars (not the planet, but the God of war). While primarily green space, there are paths that crisscross the area where you could run. Or you could run the perimeter.  However, the area isn’t big, so you’re not going to cover a lot of distance without doing several loops.

Opening Hours: Open daily, 24 hours a day

Nearest Metro Stations: École Militaire, Dupleix, Bir-Hakeim, and La Motte-Picquet Grenelle

(b) Route And Distance

Route: perimetre of the Champs de Mars from Ecole Militaire to Avenue Gustave Eiffel, which is just in front of the Eiffel Tower

Distance: just under 2 kilometres

(c) Pros And Cons Of Running In Champs de Mars

What If I Don’t Want To Run Alone?

If you don’t want to run on your own, you might consider doing a Paris running tour. I did one with Paris Running Tours and loved it because I learned more about the history of Paris, while I ran. Check out my post here:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any favourite places to go walking or running in Paris France? Please share.

Pin to your favourite board on Pinterest

Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google LLC, used with permission