Jardin des Tuileries A
stroll through the beautiful Tuileries Gardens is one of the must-dos
of Paris. Before the Revolution this was a prime spot for the
aristocracy to show off their latest fashions. The gardens are now part
of the Musée du Louvre .
Jardin des Tuileries
The Left Bank A
very Parisian walk, particularly on a Sunday, is along the Left Bank
(Rive Gauche) of the Seine. The riverside quays of the Latin Quarter
have been lined with second-hand bookstalls (bouquinistes) for centuries. The books are mostly in French, but you’ll also find stalls selling prints and postcards .
Montmartre The
steep streets of the Butte are a good place to get some exercise after
indulging in the irresistible French cuisine. Although this famous
artists’ quarter is more touristy than Bohemian these days, its old
charms can still be found in the winding back streets and small squares .
Montmartre
The Marais With inspiring art galleries, delectable delis, and shop after shop filled with contemporary fashions and objets d’art,
a walk in the Marais is great fun, even if you only window-shop. The
beautiful mansions are a great backdrop for your stroll and there are
plenty of cafés and bars for sustenance .
Jardin des Plantes In
this historic botanical garden you can escape the bustle of the city
and lose yourself on the shady tree-lined avenues, amid colourful
flowerbeds, or the hothouses and exotic gardens. Or simply relax on the
lawns .
Jardin du Luxembourg Napoleon
designated this the “garden of children”, and whether or not you have
little ones in tow you’ll enjoy a walk through this favourite haunt of
the Latin Quarter. After you’ve seen the octagonal pond and the Medicis
Fountain, seek out the miniature Statue of Liberty and the statues of
French queens .
The Passages These
covered arcades
around the Grands Boulevards were built at the end of the 18th
century to shelter elegant shoppers
from bad weather. Now lined with speciality and antiques shops,
they are wonderfully atmospheric places to explore. Most are in the 2nd
arrondissement, and connecting passages Verdeau, Jouffroy and Panoramas together form the longest in Paris. Ile St-Louis Although
you could walk end to end in about 10 minutes, the Seine’s smaller
island demands a more leisurely stroll. You’ll discover superb little
art galleries, trendy boutiques, and a village-like atmosphere within
this up-market enclave .
Bois de Boulogne Come
here at the weekend if you want to join the locals in the “great
escape”, and you’ll have 8.65 sq km (3.34 sq miles) from which to choose
your path. The Bagatelle Gardens are a fine place for a walk in spring
and summer, when a stunning array of roses and other flowers are in
bloom .
Bois de Boulogne
Boulevard St-Germain There’s
no better way to enjoy the Latin Quarter than to do as the Parisians do
– stroll the Boulevard St-Germain, preferably late on a Sunday morning.
After your walk, honour the birthplace of café society with a coffee at
either Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore, two of the city’s most famous
literary and intellectual haunts .
Boulevard St-Germain
Top 10 Outdoor Activities
Walking Paris is a compact city so you can easily combine sightseeing with exercise. Roller-blading A fad which shows no sign of abating, skaters weave their way through traffic and pedestrians alike. Cycling
Head for the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes to escape the Paris traffic, or grab a Vélib’ .
Boating Boating lakes in the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes allow you to flex your rowing muscles. Jogging You can get your aerobic fix along the pathways of Paris’s parks and gardens. Table Tennis Try your luck at the outdoor concrete tables found in several parks and squares. Sunbathing De rigueur on the quais beside the Seine, especially during “Paris Plages” in July and August.
Swimming There are 34 public pools in Paris, but hours are restricted during school terms. Or try the pool at the Forum des Halles. Football France’s football team has many young imitators in parks, gardens and streets. Posing A sport indulged in mainly by young men and women, it is best done at outdoor cafés to be sure of the biggest audience.
|
