10 Best Scenic Walks in Paris

The starting point of this leisurely 1-km walk on the Grands Boulevards from Place de l'Opéra to Musée Grévin is Place de l'Opéra in the 2nd arrondissement. This is the home of the gorgeous Palais Garnier which houses the national opera. Take Boulevard des Capucines toward Boulevard des Italiens where the streets are lined with flagship stores of well-known brands and a great selection of cafes. For a fun museum experience, stop by the Paradox Museum.

The final destination of this walk, Musée Grevin on Boulevard Montmartre, is a popular, family-friendly wax museum. To have a selfie with Christian Ronaldo or Scrat from “Ice Age,” book your tickets in advance or prepare to queue.

Explore the exciting Le Marais from Hôtel de Ville to Musée National Picasso-Paris on the 1.2 km walk from the impressive 19th-century Hotel de Ville. Continue on Rue de Rivoli with the luxury boutiques and hotels. Turn to Rue-Vielle-du-Temple and you’ll spot the striking red Mosaic façade of a 1930s butcher's shop from afar.

Soon you’ll reach the heart of Le Marais with its narrow, cobbled streets – a perfect place to stop for a photo or do some shopping in the upscale boutiques. Continue to Rue de la Perle and then turn left to Rue de Thorigny where you’ll find Musée National Picasso-Paris with its inspiring art collection waiting for you.

This walk-around Quartier Latin from Luxembourg Gardens to Panthéon is only about 1 km long, but you could spend hours just admiring Luxembourg Gardens. There’s even a copy of the Statue of Liberty there. Continue on Boulevard Saint-Michel to Place de la Sorbonne, across the charming square to the impressive doors of Sorbonne University. Sorbonne Chapel houses Richelieu’s mausoleum and is worth a visit.

Continue your journey along Rue Victor Cousin to Rue Cujas until you reach Place du Panthéon with the striking Panthéon. Just behind there, you can explore the 15th-century abbey Saint-Etienne-du-Mont and the quaint, cobbled streets around it. You might recognize the Place de l'Abbé-Basset square from the Woody Allen movie “Midnight in Paris”.

Your Saint-Germain-des-Prés Stroll from Café de Flore to Saint-Sulpice Church starts perfectly with a pain au chocolat and café au lait. The famous Café de Flore has been featured in many movies and TV series, including “Emily in Paris”. From the café, continue past Place du Québec along Rue du Rennes to the crossing of Rue du Four, a great place for a photo of lovely Parisian houses.

Take Rue de Madame to Rue du Vieux Colombier and Place Saint-Sulpice with the gorgeous fountain and the beautiful Saint-Sulpice church. Near the church entrance on Rue Palatine, you’ll find a sweet little square where you can rest your feet and take in the magnificent church facade.

If you take the 1-km Passage des Panoramas from Galerie Vivienne to Passage Verdeau walk, make sure you have plenty of space in your suitcase for your finds. This fun shopping tour starts at Galerie Vivienne, a 19th-century luxury mall in the 2nd arrondissement. Continue along Rue Vivienne until you reach Boulevard Montmartre and the entrance of Passage des Panoramas which features lovely boutiques and breath-taking architecture.

Just across Boulevard Montmartre, you’ll step into yet another shopping heaven, Passage Jouffroy. Make your way through this 19th century passage and you’ll emerge (with a few more shopping bags) just across the street from Passage Verdeau – an iconic and charming path with an amazing selection of boutiques and shops.

If you love leisurely strolls along beautiful pathways away from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Parc Montsouris. With many scenic spots and pristine lawns, Parc Montsouris is a great place to have picnics, so bring a baguette and cheese to enjoy after your walk. There are also many playgrounds for children and even a pony park at the north edge.

If you turn left from the RER station on Boulevard Jourdan, you’ll soon see the "South Mire" stele, marking the location of the Paris meridian. Continue your walk deeper into the park, and you’ll reach the Montsouris meteorological observatory facility and a gorgeous Lebanese cedar right next to it.

You could spend hours walking around the Père Lachaise Cemetery labyrinth of famous graves discovering ornate tombstones, nature and animals. To make the most of your time, it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance. If you’re approached by unofficial guides who volunteer to take you around, make sure you agree on the fee before you accept their offer.

From the “Père Lachaise” metro station, take Avenue des Poupliers to the grave of the artist George Seurat and then continue to Gioachino Rossini and Frédéric Chopin’s tombs. Soon you’ll reach Jim Morrison’s final resting place, which is always covered in flowers. Across the cemetery, near the charming natural garden of Jardin Naturel Pierre-Emmanuel, you’ll find Édith Piaf’s tomb.

Whether you're looking for a short stroll or a longer walk to immerse yourself in nature, Parc de Bagatelle offers a serene and picturesque environment perfect for leisurely walks. The park's expansive grounds and beautifully landscaped gardens are amazingly diverse. The pathways are generally well-marked and well-maintained, so you can concentrate on discovering charming corners filled with flowers and foliage.

A good place to start your walk is the Orangery. Wander through to the wonderful rose and iris gardens and then continue to the Mediterranean garden. Meander along the tree-lined walkways past the lovely ponds to the Château de Bagatelle. You can reach this 16th arrondissement park best by bike or by public transportation.

Jardin des Plantes provides a delightful setting for walks, whether you're interested in botanical beauty, history or simply seeking a peaceful, green escape in the heart of Paris. This park is laid out in different sections, each showcasing unique vegetation, and it’s easy to explore. The pathways and alleys are well-maintained, and you’ll also find benches where to rest and enjoy the serene surroundings.

You can start at the Natural History Museum and then walk past the majestic Lebanese cedar planted in the 18th century. Make your way through the labyrinth all the way to the rhododendron garden. Stop by at the small zoo, Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, and observe the mischievous wallabies while you’re here.

A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without an epic walk along the Seine River from Pont Neuf to the Eiffel Tower. Start your 4-km walk at the 17th-century bridge, Pont Neuf. Climb down to the little park, Square du Vert-Galant, for gorgeous vacation photos. Continue along the Seine walkway, and soon you’ll see the scenic Pont des Arts and the majestic Pont Alexandre III bridges.

By Pont des Invalides, you’ll find a floating art gallery with a bar. The nearby floating gardens are another great place to catch your breath. The Paris Sewer Museum by Pont de l’Alma offers an unforgettable underground museum experience. Re-emerged from the sewers, you’ll only have a short walk to the Eiffel Tower.