La ville lumière, la ville des amoureux, des musées, de la culture!
This Week, I travel in Paris
I am in Paris this week. So I decided to write this article to give some advice to those who plan to visit this wonderful city.
If you ever travel in Paris, the first thing I recommend you is to walk in order to visit the city and admire its architecture. Paris is a city that has never been destroyed even during the 2nd world war. If you want to discover the original secret beauty of Paris you need to walk. Off course, you may also use the subway in order to move from one place to another. But please, forget for a while the touristic drop on/off buses!
Walk in Paris and I promise you that you will have the best and most original Parisian experience ever.
The best walks in Paris
Paris is a big city but fortunately you can go wherever you wish using the subway or the public buses.
Well, that is good but if you are a tourist it is quite bad too. Why? Because if you want to “watch” the city then you have to avoid taking the subway from one monument to another. You need to walk around!
Hereafter, the best walks I recommend you when you travel in Paris.
Best Walk in Paris #1
Arc de Triomphe – Champs-Elysées – Place de la Concorde – Tuileries – Louvre – Hotel de ville
This is one of my favorite walks and I always suggest it to my friends when they travel in Paris.
You start your visit from the monument of the Arc de Triomphe, which is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. This monument honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary. It is situated in the middle of a huge place, La place Charles de Gaule Etoiles. You can go up to the Arc de Triomphe and have a panoramic view of the city from that point.
Then, it would be great for you to walk the Champs-Elysées Avenue, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and expensive avenues in the world. Walking down this avenue you will discover some of the most luxury and glamour shops, restaurants and coffees of Paris. You can make a break at the “patisserie” (pastry) of Ladurée to taste the famous and delicious French Macaron.
When you reach La Place de la Concorde you will definitely be surprised. This place is huge and it is really difficult to walk around it because there are always a lot of cars.
From the Place de la Concorde you can reach the Rue de Rivoli and continue your walk. Another option is to enter in the Tuileries garden.
Just after Tuileries garden, on your right, you will see the spectacular museum of Louvre. You should get into the terrace of Louvre for free and take some pictures of the magnificent glass and metal pyramid of Louvre. I suggest you to continue your path back to the main street, Rue de Rivoli, and come back another day to visit the museum of Louvre. This museum is really big it is said that you need 4 entire days to visit the whole museum.
Just after the museum of Louvre you can do some shopping. Rue de Rivoli is the main street full of shops for clothes. These shops are cheaper than the shops of Champs Elysées!
A little bit far away from the Louvre, you will reach Hotel de Ville. It is situated in the middle of a big place so you cannot miss it.
After Hotel de Ville, you almost arrive at the Marais, a place full of restaurants, coffees, bars and stores. It is an artistic neighborhood. You can have a beer or a coffee in a picturesque French bistro or even a diner. I suggest you to visit the Marais another day because this walk is quite long.
Travel in Paris: Tip during Christmas
If you travel in Paris during Christmas you will find an amazing Christmas village “marché de Noel” all along the Champs-Elysées. Here you can taste a lot of French specialties and the famous “vin chaud” (hot wine) as well.
During this period you will also find a big ice rink situated in the middle of the square just in front of Hotel de Ville.
Travel in Paris: “by night”
Behind La place de la Concorde there are many luxuries clubs to go out at night such as the famous Buddha Bar. Prices are high and you may pay 17€ just for a cocktail. Don’t forget you are in Paris, the city with the highest percentage of tourists in the world all around the year!
Best Walk in Paris #2
Place de la Concorde – Invalides – Champs de Mars – Tour Eiffel – Trocadero
This is another spectacular walk that you should do if you travel in Paris. It seems to be a small walk but it is not!
Starting from la Place de la Concorde you can cross the Seine and reach Les Invalides which is a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France. Here you can have some amazing pictures and then you should direct to the Ecoles Militaires to reach the Champs de March. Champs de Mars is a big park just in front of Eiffel Tower. Parisians use to come here on the 14th of July to celebrate the French National Day known as Bastille Day and admire the fireworks of the Eiffel Tower.
From the Champs des Mars, you can walk and go directly to the basis of the Eiffel Tower. There is a cable car that you can use to go up to the first and second floor of the Tower and enjoy an amazing view of the city. This is a must activity to do especially at night. It is a very romantic spot!
If you visit the Eiffel Tower during the day, you can keep walking in order to reach Trocadero, which is situated just in front of the Eiffel Tower. Trocadero is the best spot to take some beautiful pictures of the Tower.
Travel in Paris: Tip for your summer stay
Another common habit of Parisians is to go to the Champs des Mars park and get what we call a “French Apéro”. To enjoy the famous French apéro you need to bring some snacks, cheese, bread, some beers or wine, install yourself in the park, eat, drink and admire the beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. During summer, Parisians use to organize big events of “Apéro” at Champs des Mars and they use Facebook as a mean to communicate the time and the day of the event.
Best Walk in Paris #3
Pantheon – Louxembourg – Odéon – Notre Dâme
The Pantheon is situated in one of the most picturesque and luxury neighborhood of Paris. It is worth to have a look at that neoclassic building and learn more about its history.
After visiting the Pantheon you can definitely have a walk in the extraordinary Luxembourg garden that is just a few minutes away from the Pantheon. Luxembourg Garden is another spot where the Parisians use to go especially when the weather is good and have a sunbath!
After walking around the gardens, you shouldn’t miss to visit Odéon, which is one of the most touristic places in Paris. A lot of good bakeries and coffee stores are situated here. Following the Boulevard Saint Michel, you will then reach the Saint Michel neighborhood. You may get lost in the small streets of the Quartier latin. Don’t worry; it is a lovely place to explore. Saint Michel is also a very touristic place because it is just opposite the famous church of Notre Dame de Paris. Notre Dame is situated on an Island which is called île de la Cité. After visiting Notre Dame, I advise you to keep walking and discover this island. There are many bars, brasseries and coffee stores where you can taste once again the delicious French specialties.
Walking will make your travel in Paris unforgettable
Paris is a wonderful city and I am sure that for many people around the world it is a dreaming destination. Nevertheless, Paris is a very big city and you need to know where to go and what to visit in order to have a unique French/Parisian experience. I hope that you enjoyed this small trip in Paris. Next time it will be your turn!
What do you think about a travel in Paris?
Have you ever been there?
Feel free to ask more questions about your travel in Paris, French people or French specialties.
Hi Lenia,
Thank you for this lovely post on walks to take in Paris.
Indeed, Paris is a beautiful city. I have been there twice, but didn’t spend more than a day there, so there is still a lot for me to see.
The Eiffel Tower is magnificent. The last time I was there, was around 8 years ago and I remember walking through the Latin Quarter. It was fantastic.
Hope you have a great trip! How long are you in Paris?
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Hi Hiten!
Thank you very much for your comment.
I guess you are right. Paris is big and two days is not much time to discover the beauty of the city. If you ever go back and you need some tips, please feel free to contact me. I lived in Paris and I know that this city is very touristic. It is better to go with some good tips in the pocket
My trip was great. I was there for 2 weeks. The weather was very good and that is quite rare
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My sister, mother and Uncle have all been to Paris. I keep telling myself I’ll get there someday but I’ve yet to make that trip. I’ve seen the photos and heard how beautiful it is and now we have you Lenia showing us and telling us where to visit and go when we’re there.
I have no doubt it’s a beautiful city. Heck just the name alone does me in. Some day I’ll definitely get to visit the Eiffel Tower.
Thanks for sharing this with us and sure hope you had a wonderful stay.
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Hi Adrienne,
I am sure you will get this dream real
Indeed, Paris is beautiful but it is so touristic that sometimes people’s behavior is not the one we expect. So, if you ever go there do not be surprised by people’s rudeness. The bars, the restaurants, the bakeries, the theaters…everything is almost always packed and full of tourists all around the year.
Parisians’ behavior is funny…you would better laugh than get angry with them
Anyway, if you need tips, I am here!
Have a good day.
Lenia
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