My favorite walk in Paris

based on 11 votes

Starting from Notre Dame, I like to walk to the flower and birds market which is also on the Ile de La Cité, more precisely on the Place Louis Lepine. From here I walk along the Seine on the Quai de la Corse and then the Quai de l'Horloge, still on the island, towards the west. After you've passed the Palais de Justice on your left, you'll find the small but magnificent Place Dauphine. It's worth stopping there for a café or even a lunch. Then I cross the Pont Neuf to reach the north bank of the river and turn left on the Quai du Louvre, then right in the Rue de l'Amiral Coligny. There, on your right, you'll admire the beautiful church of Saint Germain l'Auxerrois. Facing this magnificent piece of middle age architecture is a door to enter the Cour Carrée du Louvre. What a place ! Cross the Place Carrée to reach the Cour Napoléon and the Louvre Pyramid. I love walking there on Tuesdays because the museum is closed and it's not too crowded. I especially love it pretty early in the morning. I love the atmosphere.
Passed the pyramid, go into the Jardin des Tuileries. Have a fresh drink or an ice cream at one of the terrasses. Depending on the program it could be worth a visit of the Orangerie or of the Salle du Jeu de Paume to see an exhibition. These two buildings stand at the West gate of the parc. When back, go back to the center of the parc. On the southern edge of it, there is an access to the pedestrian quais of the Seine. Walk there towards the West. It is so peaceful and romantic and the view on the Musée d'Orsay, the Invalides, the Eiffel Tower and many other monuments is stunning. You'll folow the river until you reach the Pont de l'Alma (just after the departure of the cruiseboats ("bateaux mouche"). Cross the bridge to the south bank and walk on the large sandy path that will lead you still along the river to the Eiffel Tower. When you've arrived at the Eiffel Tower, have a walk in the large parc there called the Champ de Mars, towards the South. You'll reach the Ecole Militaire. Turn back and admire the view on the Eiffel Tower and the hill of Chaillot and the Trocadero besides it.
From the Ecole Militaire, another five minutes walk will lead you to the Place des Invalides. The Invalides is really a splendid building with its golden dome. You can enter the courtyard and even visit the church there.
When done, walk on the Esplanade des Invalides towards the Seine and the Pont Alexandre 3 which is no doubt the most beautiful bridge in Paris. Cross the bridge and walk along the Avenue Winston Churchill with the Grand Palais on your left and the Petit Palais on your right. Then you're on the Champs-Elysées and you can admire the Arc de Triomphe.
From there it is very easy to reach any other place in Paris by metro, bus or by cab.
This approximately 3 to 4 hours walk (unless you like taking pictures and then it could take a whole day :-) ) will have you see Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Petit and Grand Palais, the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe and allows you to discover beautiful gems such as the Place Dauphine, Saint Germain l'Auxerrois' church, the river Seine's banks or the Pont Alexandre III without being bothered by too much and too close traffic. Most of the walk will indeed take place in pedestrian areas.
I've been living in Paris for more than 10 years and I never get bored by this walk. Note that runners will also appreciate this tour. From the door to enter Le Louvre to the Eiffel Tower and the Esplanade des Invalides and then back through the river's banks and the Jardin des Tuileries it is a little more than 5 miles / 8 kilometers.

• Explore locations featured in this Trip List: Paris, Ile-de-France, France
• Category: Walking tour
• Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors
• Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists, Pet owners
• Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall