The best walks in Paris to soak up the city’s charms

From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum, Paris is full of iconic attractions to admire. But there’s so much more to Paris than these familiar sights. If you want to get to know the real Paris, you’ll have to walk the French capital’s cobbled streets like the locals.

In fact, Paris prohibits motorized vehicles in certain areas to maintain a quiet, traffic-free environment. Many streets near the Luxembourg Gardens and Centre Pompidou are strictly reserved for pedestrians only, and the city’s charming arcades and covered passages can only be accessed on foot.

So pack your most comfortable walking shoes—here are the best walks and walking tours in Paris to check off bucket list experiences while discovering hidden gems.

Duration: 2 hours

Île de la Cité (City Island) is an island in the heart of Paris, floating amid the Seine River. Inhabited since the 1st century, this small island was once used as a fortress by Romans. Today, Île de la Cité is well-connected to the mainland by five bridges and its own Metro station. The entire island is only about 10 streets long, and is a treasure trove for history buffs.

To start your journey, cross Pont Neuf, the city’s oldest surviving bridge. Stop by the oldest public clock in Paris and wander around the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned during the Reign of Terror. Sainte-Chapelle is also worth a visit—built by Louis IX, the royal chapel is almost entirely constructed out of stained glass. Although the Notre-Dame Cathedral is currently closed for renovation, you can still admire the magnificent building from the outside.

Not ready for your adventure to end? Head across Pont Saint-Louis to explore Ile Saint-Louis, a quieter island that's home to the legendary Berthillon.

Duration: 4 hours

Named after the hill it’s located on, Montmartre is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris to walk around. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, Montmartre’s bohemian atmosphere attracted famous artists like Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh; you can still visit the buildings where they once lived in.

Even now, a stroll down Montmartre’s cobblestone streets will transport you back to its village days. Wind through the neighborhood’s narrow streets and check out its iconic windmills, including the Moulin Rouge, before heading up to the Sacre-Coeur. We recommend wearing your most comfortable shoes, as you’ll need to climb up more than 200 steps to reach the dome, where you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views in Paris.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, join a food tasting tour to try Montmartre’s best delicacies from its quaint bakeries, restaurants, and Paris’ only vineyard.

Duration: 2 hours

Located on the Left Bank, the neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is home to numerous cafés, bookstores, and universities. Walking around the artsy district will immerse you in Paris’ culture and heritage, beginning from the Middle Ages.

Start at the neighborhood’s namesake, the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Founded in the 6th century, the church is a stunning Gothic masterpiece filled with colorful frescoes. As you continue down Boulevard Saint-Germain, you’ll notice many iconic cafés like Cafe de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and the Brasserie Lipp. These cafés were regular meeting spots for some of France’s most influential writers, painters, and philosophers.

Those with a sweet tooth will also be spoilt for choice in Saint-Germain—the neighborhood is home to Paris’ best patisseries and chocolatiers. Don’t miss out on this tasting tour of Saint-Germain’s acclaimed chocolate shops.

Duration: 1 hour

The Jardin des Tuileries is great for a scenic walk or bike ride from the Place de la Concorde to the Louvre. Not only will you be able to easily see two major Parisian attractions, but you’ll also get to admire one of Paris’ most exquisite public parks.

Spot the Tuileries Garden’s gated entrance from the Obélisque de Louxor. As you stroll along the verdant garden, you’ll find yourself in an open-air museum—numerous outdoor sculptures by Auguste Rodin, Aristide Maillol, and other French sculptors are scattered throughout the 70-acre park. Stop by the Musée de l'Orangerie to admire Monet’s iconic water lilies, or continue down the main pathway to pass through the Grand Carré and the Grand Basin, where children can play with toy sailboats.

Finally, continue straight past the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to reach the main courtyard of the Louvre. You won’t miss the spectacular Pyramide du Louvre, where you can begin your tour of the world's most-visited museum.

Duration: 1 hour

The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest districts in Paris and is home to the Sorbonne and many other universities. As the Latin Quarter avoided Baron Haussmann’s sweeping renovations, it still retains its ancient charms, from its cobblestone streets to the buzzing Rue Mouffetard, a must-visit for its delectable food.

There’s plenty to discover in this medieval district. Book-lovers will have a magical time browsing Shakespeare and Company’s shelves and uncovering the Latin Quarter’s links to famous writers, artists, and intellectuals, while families can drop by the Jardin des Plantes, which is home to Paris’ Museum of Natural History as well as Parc Zoologique de Paris.

Afterward, continue towards the Luxembourg Gardens, or end your walk with a pub crawl to experience another side of the Latin Quarter.

Duration: 2 hours

Once a land-filled swamp, Le Marais (The Marsh) transformed into an aristocratic district in the late Middle Ages. In the 17th century, the Marais saw a boom in private mansions built by French nobles. After the French Revolution, the district became a Jewish Quarter and working-class area.

Start your walk around the Marais at the iconic Hôtel de Ville. The Renaissance building was once the site of gruesome public executions but is now home to the Paris city council. As you continue heading north, you’ll see many grand mansions left over from the Marais’ aristocratic past. Many of these mansions are now museums, which you can visit—stop by the National Archives, housed within the Hôtel de Soubise, one of the first private mansions built in the neighborhood, as well as the Musée Picasso, located in the majestic Hôtel Salé.

If you’re feeling hungry, make a stop at the Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris’ oldest covered market, where you can browse its food stalls. Last but not least, Place des Vosges is the highlight of the Marais. This public square is home to a rolling green park, surrounded by red-brick townhouses and arcades, including the Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée, where Victor Hugo once lived.

Duration: 1 hour

The hilltop neighborhood of Butte-aux-Cailles, situated in the 13th arrondissement, is a sleepy, village-like district bursting with personality. Fans of street art will love wandering down Butte-aux-Cailles’ winding streets, where notable urban artists Miss Tic and Jef Aérosol have left their marks.

Throughout the 13th arrondissement, you’ll find more colorful works sprouting from each street corner. Artists from all over the world, including Chile and America, have decorated the neighborhood’s walls with huge portraits, stencil drawings, and even 3D artwork. Liberté, égalité, fraternité, by Shepard Fairey, is an iconic mural paying tribute to France’s national motto, painted by the artist after the 2013 terrorist attacks.

Duration: 1.5 hours

The picturesque Canal Saint-Martin has inspired painters, musicians, and writers, and has even been seen in films like Mission: Impossible — Fallout. Saint-Martin’s waterfront is ideal for a stroll, and you can rest your feet anytime at one of the cozy bars and bistros lining the canal.

We recommend starting your walk along the Quai de Valmy, where you can spot boats passing under cast-iron footbridges. Along the way, feel free to stop by Point Éphémère, a waterfront arts center with an exciting program of concerts and exhibitions throughout the year. Once you reach the end of the canal, you can continue heading towards the Stalingrad Rotunda to reach the La Villette canal basin, where the summer Paris Plages are held.

Tip: For a romantic night out, you can even take a dinner cruise along the waterway.

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