The main sport when visiting Paris is walking. That’s how you will get the best view of the French capital. You can walk almost everywhere in Paris, following the Seine’s banks or strolling the steep streets or “grands boulevards” of the city. However, there are many other sports and activities to do in Paris:

Hiking

Treks in Paris are organized by the Comité Départemental de la randonnée pédestre à Paris.

Football (american)

 In France, soccer is football and footbal is american football. Altough several Football teams play in the Paris area, only one team plays in the city(the mousquetaires). Here for a long stay they always welcome new players, here for short stay, you can come enjoy à game at the Louis Lumière Stadium.

Spectator sports

Rugby and football matches are popular in Paris. The Stade de France (in St. Denis) is a large venue where the national rugby and football teams play games. The national rugby team play their Six Nations games at the stadium during February and March. The local rugby team, Stade Français also play at the stadium for big fixtures. The domestic rugby club championship game is also played there in June. The Parc des Princes stadium and Stade Jean-Bouin are close to eachother, where club football and rugby games are also played.

Rollerblading and Biking

The banks of the Seine are usually closed to traffic on Sundays in summer to allow bicycles, rollers and walkers to take advantage of the nice landscape. Every Friday evening, the Night Skate in Paris starts at 10pm at Montparnasse and lasts 3 hours.

Dance on the Seine’s banks

From June to September you can dance Rock 'N Roll, Salsa and Tango on the Seine’s banks.

See the “What’s on” section of the ParisInfo website.

Swimming

There are 35 public pools in Paris with very cheap admission fees. Regular swimmers should buy a 10 admissions ticket which now (April 2006) costs €21.50.     Each time you visit, the cashier crosses one of 10 circles on the ticket..

The pools are nearly all closed on Mondays.  The one I know best is in rue Blomet, Paris 15 (nearest metro station : Volontaires).  It is 50 metres in length.  Wearing a swimming cap is obligatory.  Taking your shoes off between the cash desk and the changing cubicles has recently been introduced.  The showering areas are not fully segregated, so it is difficult to shower properly by taking off your swimming trunks.

But if you want to try something really different, go to the Piscine Pontoise. This beautiful Art deco pool, which has been filmed many times for either ads or movies, stays open at night Monday to Friday, from 8.15pm to 11.45pm (3.70 euros by day / 9 euros by night). A funny experience in a beautiful décor.

Piscine Pontoise
19 rue de Pontoise – 75005 Paris / Metro: Maubert Mutualité
Tel: +33 (0)1 55 42 77 88