3 walking tours that allow you to discover Paris without having to wait in line
With so many people traveling nowadays, the most popular sights, the ones people come to a city for, are usually extremely crowded. This also happens because people make a list of things they must see and flock from one place to another, wait hours in line and never get to really enjoy anything. If you are looking for a different type of excitement on your holiday, you can take a walk around Paris and discover the city at your own pace. You can read up on some of the attractions and most important buildings in the area, but reserve the thrill of the discovery from when you actually stumble upon the place.
1. Hotel de Ville – Place Charles the Gaulle Étoile
If you have a lot of time on your hands and you also feel you have the energy to pull this off, then this is THE walking tour of all walking tours. It cuts right though the heart of Paris, allowing you to check a lot of attractions along the way.
Where does it start and what is the route?
You start the tour at the Hotel de Ville metro station. You can get to that central point no matter where you are lodged in the city. Then simply make your way on Rue the Rivoli all the way to the Avenue des Champs Élysées. Best thing about this tour? You only have to walk in a straight line. If you are in a hurry to get to the Étoile, you can get there in 1 hour if you walk at a steady and swift pace. Otherwise, you can manage to kill a couple of hours without problems.
What can you see along the way?
You will see the Paris city hall on the left of the metro station. You will be passing by the Louvre Museum inside the Palais du Louvre, Les Jardins des Tuileries and Place de la Concorde on Rue de Rivoli alone. The Avenue des Champs Élysées starts with beautiful small parks, theaters and restaurant, only to introduce you to the iconic image of the bustling avenue once you cross the intersection with Avenue Matignon. Make your way to the Arc de Triomphe through the crown, do some window shopping or actual shopping, get a coffee of a sandwich. There is a RER station at Charles de Gaulle or you can walk back to George V.
Rue de Rivoli with the shops on the right and a side entrance to the Jardins des Tuileries on the left
The Palais de Louvre on the left of the Rue de Rivoli
Picture taken from the Jardins des Tuileries of the Obelisk in Place de la Concorde aligned with the Arc de Triomphe seen in the distance
The Champs Élysées Boulevard
2. Saint Michel Notre Dame – Port Royal
With this tour, you start at the heart of the city and end up at an oasis of green leaves and tranquility. You get to trade in the swarms of tourists for the chilled locals lounging in the park metal chairs.
Where does it start and what is the route?
This is another easy, straight route, which will only take you 30 minutes to complete without stopping. It is perfect when you have some time to kill in the city center but not a whole half day. Despite the name of the tour, you actually start it at the Cité metro station and you make your way to the Rue de Lutéce, the Roman name of the city, for the full experience of starting from the heart of the city and moving forward. The Boulevard du Palais will take you to Pont Saint Michel and to the Boulevard Saint Michel.
Another option would be to start the tour directly at the Saint Michel metro station if that suits you better and simply continue on the same name boulevard.
What can you see along the way?
From the Cité metro station you can see the Prefecture and cross the bridge over the Seine. At the corner of the Saint Michel Boulevard you will find the Fountain of Saint Michel and an area with iconic Paris shops and book stores. It is a great place for window shopping and even grabbing a bite. On the right, you will come across the Musée de Cluny, the national Middle Ages museum. At the end of the boulevard, the Gardens of Luxembourg will greet you with open spaces, water basins and leaves as green as the season allows it. Sit comfortably on the chairs which you can move around anywhere you like.
Pont Saint Michel
Fountain of Saint Michel
3. Place Trocadero – Champs Élysées Clemanceau
You cannot come to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower. This is something you can do anytime. And unless you are planning to go up, walking around it is a breeze.
Where does it start and what is the route?
This is a 1 hour tour that starts in the Trocadero Square and takes you on the winding streets of industrial 19th century Paris.
What can you see along the way?
Start at the Place de Trocadero which offers you an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower and the Champs de Mars. You then proceed toward the tower and continue your walk along the green stretch where you will see people lounging, taking pictures or having picnics. At Place Joffre, the beautiful building in front of you, turn left and walk on the Avenue de Motte Piquet. As you approach the museum complex, namely the Museum of Contemporary History, turn right on Rue de Grenelle then head for the Place des Invalides. The Dome des Invalides is straight ahead. Make your way to the Quay d’Orsay. The Musée d’Orsay is to its right. If you cross the Seine on Pont Alexandre III you will reach Avenue Winston Churchill, passing right between the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais. You will find the Champs Élysées Clemanceau metro station near the intersecton of the Avenue with the Avenue des Champs Élysées.
Image of the Tour Eiffel from Place Trocadero (Photo by Falcon® Photography@Flickr)
Dome des Invalides
