Paris seems totally made for wandering. It’s compact, insanely pretty, and the best way to take it in is by walking. Strolling lets you soak up its gorgeous architecture, peek down cobbled little lanes, and catch those “wow, this is so Paris” moments.
The French even have a word for this, flâner, which means to wander around with zero agenda. If you want to do this while you’re here, and I highly recommend you do, a good place to start is by taking these incredibly beautiful walks in Paris.
BTW, I’ve included a link to a Google Maps pin that works as a good starting place for each walk I recommend.
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(WA= Wheelchair Accessible)
Parc Rives de Seine
If there’s one beautiful walk in Paris you can’t skip, it’s along the Seine. In my opinion, the Parc Rives de Seine, a Right Bank walkway that goes from south of Place de la Bastille to the Louvre, is the loveliest part. Once a busy riverside road, it’s been closed to traffic since 2017 and is a dream for strolling.
If you don’t feel like doing the whole stretch, I’d aim for the section from Châtelet to Pont des Arts, which is especially stunning. You’ll pass the Conciergerie (royal palace turned prison), the historic Pont Neuf, and end at Pont des Arts, where you’ll even be able to spot the little Eiffel Tower. How perfect is that?
Start here at Parc Rives de Seine | 1st and 4th Arrondissements | WA
Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire
The Left Bank side of the Seine also has a few really nice places to stroll. I love the stretch that goes from the Quai de la Tournelle to the Quai Voltaire, ending near the Musée d’Orsay. Walking down by the water, you can escape the traffic and take in the peaceful vibes of the river. Up top, you’ve got Les Bouquinistes, those charming green book stalls that feel straight out of a movie.
Along the way, you’ll be treated to postcard views of Notre-Dame, Île-de-la-Cité, Pont Neuf, Louvre, and some adorable houseboats bobbing along. I think you’ll find that it’s a pretty sensational backdrop.
Start here at Quai de la Tournelle| 5th, 6th and 7th Arrondissements | WA (on sidewalk level)
Image Courtesy of Fluctuart via Facebook
Les Berges
One of the favorite spots for Parisians to go walking along the river is this promenade running from the Musée d’Orsay to the Pont de l’Alma (near the Eiffel Tower). You’ll pass the glitzy Pont Alexandre III bridge, spot the Grand Palais’ glass dome, and catch glimpses of the Eiffel Tower here and there.
A perk of strolling Les Berges is stopping for a break at one of its lively bars. Rosa Bonheur sur Seine is always buzzing (part boat, part terrace), and Fluctuart, a cool floating street art museum that has a fantastic rooftop that’s hard to leave.
Start here at Les Berges| 7th Arrondissement | WA
Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur to Moulin Rouge
Okay, I might be biased as a Montmartre local, but this hilly neighborhood is hands-down one of the most beautiful walks in Paris. Start up at Sacré-Cœur, soak in those sweeping views, then just wander your way downhill toward the Moulin Rouge.
I’ve included the perfect route on Day 3 of our Paris Itinerary, which helps you slip away from the main tourist paths and duck into quieter corners like Allée des Brouillards or Avenue Junot, where you’ll stumble upon Villa Léandre (aka a cute lane that feels more like London than Paris).
Along the way, you’ll pass places linked to famous artists, see curious buildings you won’t find elsewhere in Paris, and eventually land in the lively buzz of Rue des Abbesses. Here you can do some shopping or grab a table at one of the street’s many cafés, which are much better than the touristy ones at the top of the hill in Place du Tertre.
My favourite way for tourists like you to do this is to do your walk in the early morning, when the area is peaceful and quiet, and then once your stomach is rumbling, hop onto this super interesting Montmartre food tour.
Start here at Montmarte| 18th Arrondissement | WA
Le Marais, Place des Vosges to Centre Pompidou
The Marais is another fabulous place to stroll in Paris. I love the whole area, but if you’re looking for a great place to start, head to Place des Vosges. Paris’s oldest square, it’s surrounded by elegant brick buildings, elegant cafés, and art galleries.
From there, drift over to Rue des Francs Bourgeois, where you can casually mix a little shopping with culture. Pop into the Carnavalet Museum (it’s free and a fantastic place to learn a bit about the city’s history), then take a delicious detour down Rue des Rosiers, the heart of historic Jewish Paris. This is where you grab an amazing falafel sandwich from L’As du Fallafel or treat yourself to an incredible sweet treat at Yann Couvreur.
Then you can circle back to rue des Francs Bourgeois or just keep wandering – the whole neighborhood is bustling with cool shops, hidden courtyards, and Parisian energy. You can also find my recommended walking route through the area, with my favorite shops and secret gems, on Day 3 of our Paris Itinerary.
Start here at Le Marais| 3rd and 4th Arrondissements | WA
Paris East End, Bastille and Coulée Verte René Dumont
To take in a completely different perspective of the city, head over to this amazing promenade in eastern Paris. Built atop a former elevated train viaduct, the Coulé Verte René Dumont is one of the city’s coolest hidden gems and was the inspiration for the High Line in New York.
Up here, it’s all greenery, bamboo, flowers, and peaceful little corners that feel miles away from the hectic city. The elevated part is about a 20-minute walk, then it turns into a pedestrian lane that goes all the way to the edge of the city.
But you don’t have to go all the way to the end. Whenever you like, go down to the street level and circle back in the direction you came in. Under the arches are cool artisanal workshops and art galleries, perfect for a little browse, and you might even snag some unique Paris souvenirs.
Start here at Coulé Verte René Dumont | 12th Arrondissement | WA
Canal St-Martin
If you want a slightly more original waterside stroll in Paris, this is your spot. Built under Napoléon I in the early 1800s, today the area around the Canal Saint-Martin is really cool and local. As you wander, you’ll find cute boutiques and cafés like Chez Prune and Le Comptoir Général, ideal for a little mid-stroll break. Or better yet, grab a picnic and join the locals by the water.
If you still have some energy, you can carry on ambling north, where the canal system continues, becoming the Canal de l’Ourcq. Here’s a bit edgier and you’ve got some fun local hangouts. I give you the full scoop on both parts of the canals on Day 4 of our Paris Itinerary.
Start here at Canal St-Martin| 7th Arrondissement | WA
If you like these beautiful walks in Paris, you’ll love these other cool things to do in Paris:
