Refine your search for walks in Drancy
Drancy walks
Urban planning and remembrance trail in Drancy
Between Le Bourget and Bobigny, this route offers a glimpse of a variety of housing types in the inner suburbs, ranging from detached houses to blocks of flats. It also provides an opportunity to stop at a number of memorial sites, including the Drancy internment camp.
A stroll through the Courneuve Departmental Park
The Courneuve Departmental Park (Parc Georges Valbon) offers a wide range of leisure facilities, but it is also an area renowned for its ecological riches. This suggested stroll allows you to discover its many facets and appreciate the beauty of its landscapes.
Alleyways, footpaths and passages in Pantin, Le Pré Saint-Gervais and Les Lilas
This is an exotic and green route on the outskirts of Paris, in a highly urbanised environment. The first part takes you through small streets, passageways and "villas", with small houses of diverse architecture and some street art. After crossing two wooded parks, the route runs alongside the Canal de l'Ourcq and ends in the Parc de la Villette.
A stroll through Pantin along the Canal de l'Ourcq
From the Porte de la Villette to the outskirts of Lilas and Romainville, this itinerary follows the southern half of the city and reveals the many faces of Pantin: from the cosmopolitan Quatre-Chemins neighbourhood to the revitalised Canal de l'Ourcq, passing by the houses at the foot of the TDF tower and the craft and industrial areas.
From Mairie des Lilas to Bagnolet via the parks and forts
An original walk from metro station to metro station, covering 19 or 16 km. It offers a rather surprising exploration of Seine-Saint-Denis, which is green for much of the route as it makes the most of the numerous parks and green spaces, skirting the forts of Romainville, Noisy and Rosny. Discover beautiful monuments, remarkable trees and interesting buildings, with superb views of Paris and its suburbs.
La Villette, La Chapelle and the passages of the 18th arrondissement
A walk through the revitalised neighbourhoods of Paris’s 19th and 18th arrondissements. The Jardins d’Éole and Rosa Luxemburg add a lovely touch of greenery. By the end of the walk, the narrow streets and passageways make you forget the main thoroughfares.
A walk around Parc de la Villette
Situated alongside the Canal Saint-Denis and the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Parc de la Villette combines old industrial buildings, modern architecture, sites dedicated to science and culture, and a multitude of small themed gardens. This short walk takes you through the park, with plenty of detours, to discover this diverse heritage.
From Porte de la Villette to Gare de Lyon
This urban route allows you to discover a large number of parks situated on the edge of the ring road in eastern Paris. Serving as an introduction tothe GR®75, it runs partly through the Bois de Vincennes and passes close to several other notable sites such as the Philharmonie, the Cité des Sciences and the Père Lachaise Cemetery. As you pass through the many parks, you might feel as though you’re far from the city, even though it’s only a stone’s throw away.
The Ourcq Canal and La Villette Park
During this urban walk, you will discover the extraordinary architecture and gardens of the Parc de la Villette, as well as countless artistic and historical sites that make this stroll along the Canal de l’Ourcq a unique and authentic Parisian cultural itinerary.
In the heights of Paris: Buttes Chaumont, Butte Bergeyre, Belleville
The third stage of this urban journey crosses the north-eastern districts of Paris, including the lively Belleville neighbourhood. We wind our way through the Parc des Buttes Chaumont and then climb the discreet Butte Bergeyre, which offers an original view of Montmartre. We then pass by the Rue Piat viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view. A few touches of urban heritage and street art, as well as a walk along the Canal Saint-Martin, complete the picture.
The Parc des Coteaux d'Avron and the Lamarque Trail
This short urban hike is divided into three stages. First in Villemomble, after stopping at the foot of the church's tall bell tower, you cross a residential area and climb up to the Plateau d'Avron. You then descend, zigzagging through the Parc des Coteaux d'Avron. The route ends on a footpath that runs almost straight through Neuilly-Plaisance.
Heritage walk in Le Raincy
A short walk through a residential neighbourhood, along its alleys and past its beautiful houses. The highlight is the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, which was decidedly modern when it was built after the First World War and adds a touch of history to this urban route.
In the footsteps of Georges Brassens: Belleville and Canal Saint-Martin
In this first section of our "Brassens" walk, we first pass through the Belleville and Ménilmontant neighbourhoods, with their narrow streets, footpaths and stairways. Then, after crossing the symbol-rich Place de la République, we walk along the charming Canal Saint-Martin.
From the Butte du Chapeau Rouge to the Wall of Love
A very pleasant walk through the parks of north-east Paris, ending in Montmartre.
Green spaces in the north of Paris’s 20th arrondissement
Paris’s 20th arrondissement is a working-class, lively and multicultural area. It is characterised by a high degree of social diversity and a strong artistic identity, with artists’ studios and alternative cultural venues. However, there are notable differences in atmosphere, urban layout and population between the north and south of the arrondissement. The cosmopolitan north of the arrondissement features a dense urban fabric, sloping streets, modest buildings and street art. It includes the Belleville and Ménilmontant neighbourhoods, with their relaxed, bohemian atmosphere. Here you’ll find one of Paris’s major parks, the Parc de Belleville, which offers a panoramic view of the capital, as well as peaceful little gardens.
A visit to La Villette Cemetery
A very short urban route exploring La Villette Cemetery, which bears the marks of its neighbourhood’s history, such as the presence of the abattoirs from 1867 to 1974 or the tragic fire at the Collège Édouard Pailleron in 1973.
A visit to Belleville Cemetery
A visit to the highest-altitude cemetery within Paris city limits, which boasts a rich variety of plant life and is home to the graves of several notable figures. A monument within the cemetery and a church outside it evoke a painful episode in the history of the Paris Commune.
The bestiary of Belleville, Père Lachaise and Nation
This urban route crosses the 20th arrondissement of Paris from north to south in search of animal representations. From Place des Fêtes to Place de la Nation via the charming Église de Charonne, you will mainly walk along quiet streets and a few pleasant passages and alleys.
Historical route through Saint-Denis and walk along the canal
The first stage of this urban journey consists of two distinct sections. The first section, the historical trail, invites us to trace the passage of time from the legend of Saint-Denis and the city’s origins right up to the 21st century, with the help of some twenty richly documented information points. Next, we follow the Canal Saint-Denis along its pedestrian quay back to Paris.
From Saint-Denis to Le Bourget via Georges Valbon Park
Starting from one of the masterpieces of Gothic art in Île-de-France, the Basilica of Saint-Denis, this urban route crosses a vast park where lawns alternate with flowerbeds, woodland and lakes. There is a commemorative aspect to the commune of Le Bourget, which was the scene of fierce fighting in 1870–1871.
The urban parks and peach walls of Montreuil
This route alternates between urban areas, favouring small streets and paths, and three public gardens, each with its own unique characteristics. It is also an opportunity to discover Montreuil's horticultural and arboricultural past.
Crossing Gagny
A city route that takes you through several neighbourhoods of Gagny. Gustave Courbet Park, the Saint-Fiacre Aqueduct embankment and the Bois de l'Étoile Arboretum add touches of greenery and a few viewpoints.
The Petite Ceinture in the 20th arrondissement, La Mouzaïa and the Bassin de la Villette
A stroll through the 20th and 19th arrondissements of Paris, taking in their diverse neighbourhoods. We cross Ménilmontant, roughly following the old Petite Ceinture railway line, then take a look at the old Belleville aqueduct. The neighbourhood around Rue de la Mouzaïa reveals its sloping streets lined with small houses decorated with flowers. We finish at the edge of the Bassin de la Villette and the Canal Saint-Denis.
From Montreuil to Les Lilas through alleys, paths and gardens
A route that, in a highly urbanised environment, favours alleys and other passageways, as well as public parks, and runs alongside several areas of shared or allotment gardens. It is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the mathematicians and activists Josette and Maurice Audin, victims of the abuses that took place during the Algerian War.
From Saint-Denis to Asnières-sur-Seine
A walk from station to station around Villeneuve-la-Garenne, along the Seine and then to Île Saint-Denis via the park’s water sports centre, passing by the Chantereine Farm (visiting hours are in the afternoon only); a walk without too much distance or elevation gain.
A tour of the Père Lachaise Cemetery
Stroll through the paths of the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery, largely laid out as an English garden, and discover the graves of famous people and monuments that are original to say the least.
The fish route in Paris
Until the advent of the railway, fishmongers brought fish to Paris from the ports of the North Sea and the English Channel in horse-drawn convoys. Their route through Paris, as far as Les Halles, has left its mark in the names of a number of lanes that this urban itinerary more or less follows, with a few detours through streets and alleyways that deserve it.
Les Grandes Carrières, Les Épinettes and Les Batignolles
A journey through the northern districts of Paris in a new light, with the old Petite Ceinture railway line as a common thread. The many flower-filled passages, squares and gardens allow us to forget the hustle and bustle of the capital for a while.
In the footsteps of Georges Brassens: La Goutte d'Or, Montmartre and Trinité
This second section takes us to the old cabaret (Chez Patachou) where Georges Brassens performed in public for the first time. The walk through Montmartre, with its slopes, paths and stairways, is particularly pleasant (best done in the "low tourist season").
Tours and detours in Saint-Ouen
This urban route offers a taste of what can be found in the inner suburbs of Paris: lively streets; markets; old townhouses; state schools; post-war buildings in varying states of repair; more recent tower blocks; old workshops and a few factories still in place; green spaces; rapidly changing neighbourhoods. Add to that a stroll through the famous flea market, a lovely view of the Seine, and a brief glimpse of the legendary Stade Bauer.
The Bondy Regional Forest from Vaujours
This hike, starting from Vaujours, allows you to enjoy the attractions of the Bondy Regional Forest as well as beautiful landscapes over the Plaine de France to the north and the Marne valley to the south.
Walk in the footsteps of Cosette
This hike from Vaujours to the Moulin de Montfermeil, via the Promenade de la Dhuis and the Forêt de Bondy, often follows marked paths known as the Chemins de Cosette, in reference to Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables, in which these places served as the setting for the meeting of the two main characters: Cosette and Jean Valjean.
Beyond this literary reference, the route, often along the upper reaches of the rolling hills, offers some very pretty views.
Green spaces in the 10th arrondissement of Paris
The 10th arrondissement of Paris is characterised by a working-class, cosmopolitan and very lively atmosphere, marked by the presence of the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est stations. A densely populated area, it mainly offers small local green spaces. The largest gardens have often been created on former historic, railway or industrial sites, such as the Jardin Villemin or the Square Alban-Satragne. The Canal Saint-Martin, for its part, plays a major role by providing a green promenade and a central hub for socialising. Finally, there are a dozen community gardens and examples of community greening: tree bases and micro-gardens.
Places of interest in the Bois de Vincennes
An 11 km walk with a shaded route, some unusual discoveries in the Bois de Vincennes and facilities dedicated to culture and sport. At the end of the walk, you can enjoy a drink at the UCPA equestrian centre.
Walk in the Marais
This is an immersion in a historic district of Paris that was largely untouched by Haussmann's urban renewal and has retained many narrow streets, with architecture still dominated by 17th-century mansions. The suggested itinerary winds its way through narrow streets and gardens, allowing you to discover a rich heritage, including the Carreau du Temple, the Hôtel du Grand Veneur, the gardens of the National Archives, the Place des Vosges and the Hôtel Sully.
République - Nation
Although the title of this hike evokes a route commonly used by protest marches in Paris, the route itself avoids the main roads and favours the narrow streets and passageways where many workshops were once located.
The former quarries of Fontenay-sous-Bois
A short walk through the streets, alleys and paths of Fontenay-sous-Bois. Located on the site of former gypsum quarries, the Ecoparc offers a calm and exotic atmosphere as well as a beautiful panorama. The Parc de l'Hôtel de Ville, with its water features and a few paths lined with beautiful pavilions, completes the picture.
Green spaces in Paris’s 9th arrondissement
The ninth arrondissement of Paris is distinguished by its lively and central character. It has historical links to the world of entertainment, with numerous theatres, cinemas and concert halls. As a shopping district, it is home to department stores, boutiques and iconic covered arcades. It blends Haussmann-style architecture with more recent buildings, whilst remaining a residential area.After the first two arrondissements, the ninth has the least amount of green space. These are mainly local, much-frequented gardens that play an important social role. The area as a whole reflects an old urban fabric, not particularly conducive to the creation of large natural spaces.
The bestiary of Charonne, Ménilmontant and Belleville
A south-north crossing of the 11th and 20th arrondissements of Paris, in search of animal representations. Several alleys and passageways bear witness to the former presence of numerous workshops in these neighbourhoods.
Green walk in Neuilly-Plaisance
A three-hour circular in the commune of Neuilly-Plaisance, starting from the RER station and ending at the Plateau d'Avron and its park, via the green corridor. The return journey is more urban, through quiet streets, with a detour along the banks of the Marne.
The banks of the Marne and the Haute-Ile Departmental Park
This route makes us forget that we are in one of the most densely populated and urban departments in France! Most of the route is on footpaths, shared in places with cyclists, along the Marne and in the Parc de la Haute-Ile, which promotes the preservation of biodiversity.
Walk in Montmartre
Enjoy visiting one of Paris' gems and exploring legendary sites. There are a few nice hills to climb along the way.
From Nation to Bastille via Faubourg Saint-Antoine
An urban route that favours alleys, passageways and public gardens, in search of 19th and 20th century heritage.
Green spaces in Paris’s 3rd arrondissement
Paris’s 3rd arrondissement offers an elegant, residential atmosphere. An old neighbourhood, with narrow streets and hidden courtyards, it combines craft shops, art galleries and cultural institutions. Many of its green spaces reflect this historic neighbourhood with its majestic mansions: few playgrounds or lawns for sunbathing, but peaceful places to rest, rich in heritage.
The wildlife of Les Halles and Le Marais
Discover numerous animal representations in the first arrondissements of Paris. The lively Les Halles district has seen modern architectural creations replace the former "belly of Paris". The Marais district still features many mansions built in the 17th century.
The René Dumont greenway
The René Dumont greenway is built on the platform of the former railway line that ran from the Gare de la Bastille. After briefly following the Canal Saint-Martin before it flows into the Seine, you follow this green space through the city, first at a height and then at ground level or through short tunnels. The Jardin de Reuilly, Square Charles Péguy and the Friche Ferroviaire at the junction of the former Petite Ceinture line add to the charm of this route.
On the French Revolution routes in the heart of Paris
An urban circular walk in search of the French Revolution routes in two Parisian sites: the Bastille, whose capture had a very strong symbolic impact, and the Odéon suburb, where several key figures of the period lived, worked and gathered, including Marat and Danton. It's also an opportunity to discover the signs of other insurrectionary episodes (July 1830, May 1968) and a superb heritage ranging from the Gallo-Roman to the Middle Ages period.
From Nogent-sur-Marne to Noisy-le-Grand
From Nogent-sur-Marne RER station to Noisy-le-Grand Mont-d’Est station (Line A), passing along the banks of the Marne and its bridges. You can reach the start or finish points by taking Bus 120, which runs between the two stations (allow around 45 minutes). You can also break off your route towards Neuilly-Plaisance by heading to the RER station located very close to the route.
The Village Saint-Paul, Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité
The last stage of this journey takes us to the historic heart of Paris, where we discover a rich heritage. The labyrinthine streets of the Village Saint-Paul are followed by the Île Saint-Louis and its 17th-century mansions. The Île de la Cité is a delight in itself, with Notre-Dame as its highlight. And the Seine is always in the background...
The route and description take into account areas closed to the public following the Notre Dame fire in April 2019.
The René Dumont Tropical Agronomy Garden
Discover a green oasis on the edge of Paris's 12th arrondissement and evidence of the French colonial vision that prevailed at the beginning of the 20th century, which we now view very differently. After visiting the garden, the hike offers a circular route in the Bois de Vincennes, around Lac des Minimes.
The Petite Ceinture in the 12th arrondissement and the village of Charonne
A very pretty urban route in the 12th and 20th arrondissements of Paris. You take the old Petite Ceinture railway line and then wander through passages and numerous flower-filled cul-de-sacs, particularly around Rue des Vignoles. The modern and austere Saint-Esprit church and the oldest and most charming church in Charonne provide two superb and contrasting touches of heritage.
The Philippe Auguste enclosure and the covered passages of the Sentier
This route on the right bank of the Seine takes us on a journey from medieval times to Art Nouveau. First, we discover the most important remains of Philippe Auguste's city walls and former mansions. We then wind our way through the Sentier district to explore several of its covered passages.
This walk is best done during the week, as the covered passages are closed on certain days.
Women's march of 5 October 1789: from Paris City Hall to Sèvres
The first section of this women's march of 5 October 1789 follows fairly closely what we know today about the route taken at the time. Starting from the centre of Paris, we follow the course of the Seine and then cross the districts of Auteuil and Billancourt. We cross the Ile Seguin, where the Vieux Pont de Sèvres bridge used to be, and end up in Sèvres, where the 1789 procession made a stop. All along the way, there is a rich heritage to discover.
In the footsteps of the French Revolution
Here are four hikes that take in iconic locations from the French Revolution. One of them takes place in Versailles, where it all began in May 1789. Another takes place in Paris, which was the scene of many events, including the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. The other two connect Paris to Versailles, attempting to reproduce the women's march of 5 October 1789.
From the Bois de Vincennes to the banks of the Marne
On the outskirts of Paris, a walk in three stages. First, a stroll along the banks of Lac Daumesnil and its islands, which are home to many birds. Next, a walk through the Bois de Vincennes along the Ruisseau de la Gravelle to the famous racecourse. Finally, a pleasant walk along the towpath of the Marne.
The Bois de Vincennes from the Porte Dorée
Explore the Bois de Vincennes, passing by Lac Daumesnil, Lac de Gravelle, Lac des Minimes, the Arboretum, the Vincennes Racecourse, and the Butte aux Canons with its magnificent view over part of the Paris region
A short tour of the Marais
There's no need to wear wellies to explore the Marais. The streets are well paved and usually dry. You'll come across mansions and churches as you stroll through charming narrow streets.
From Paris to Bry-sur-Marne via the Bois de Vincennes and along the Marne
In the eastern suburbs of Paris, along the route taken by Saint Columbanus, we find all the signs of the Columbanian influence that shaped our countryside and landscapes.
The first part of our 26km route through the Île-de-France region is flat, allowing us to take the time to visit the jewels revealed by the churches of Paris, as well as the towns that witnessed the birth of the monasteries that punctuate the route.
The bestiary of Chaussée d'Antin and the Palais Royal
From Place de l'Opéra to Les Halles, via the Church of Notre-Dame de Lorette and the Palais Royal Gardens, this urban trail explores the1st,2nd and9th arrondissements of Paris in search of animal representations.
The covered passages of the Montmartre and Saint-Martin suburbs
Between grand boulevards and covered passages, a walk through a lively neighbourhood of the capital.
A walk to avoid on Sundays and public holidays when the covered passages may be closed.
The Opera, Parc Monceau and the Chaillot district
A journey through Haussmannian Paris, discovering the architecture of the second half of the 19th century, with a detour to Parc Monceau and a few sites celebrating Franco-American friendship.
From Gare de Lyon to Porte d'Auteuil
This walk, part of the GR® 75, allows you to discover a large number of parks situated on the edge of Paris’s southern ring road. It serves as an intermediate stage and allows you to explore the southernmost section of the GR®. There are many notable spots along theGR® and in the surrounding area, such as the Butte aux Cailles, Montsouris Park and the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil. As you pass through the many parks, you’ll feel as though you’re far removed from the city.
From Châtelet to Austerlitz
A walk between Châtelet and Austerlitz, along picturesque streets rich in Parisian history with many points of interest: gardens, monuments, building facades, etc. Depending on your pace and curiosity, the route can take between two and four hours.
Green spaces in Paris’s 6th arrondissement
The sixth arrondissement of Paris is emblematic of Parisian elegance. A chic neighbourhood with legendary cafés, it has historical links to writers, philosophers and artists. It is as renowned for its intellectual heritage as it is for its architectural heritage, with its museums, art galleries and prestigious cultural institutions.
It boasts a dozen public squares and municipal gardens, including the famous Jardin du Luxembourg, which is managed by the state and will not be discussed here.
From the Louvre to the Bastille via the Tour Saint-Jacques
An urban route steeped in history, where 16th- and 17th-century buildings stand alongside modern architecture. This is how you will go from the Palais Royal to the Forum des Halles, from the Church of Saint-Eustache to the Centre Beaubourg, and from the Tour Saint-Jacques to the Opéra Bastille. The itinerary winds its way through streets, alleys, passageways and gardens, offering visitors the chance to discover a rich and diverse heritage.
The wildlife of the Opéra and Europe districts
From the Louvre Museum to Place de Clichy, via Place de l'Opéra and Saint-Lazare station, this urban route explores the 1st, 2nd and 8th arrondissements of Paris in search of animal representations.
Green spaces in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements of Paris
The1st arrondissement, modest in size, represents the historic and geographical heart of Paris; today, it is a district of museums and luxury boutiques. The Tuileries and Louvre Gardens, as well as the Palais Royal, managed by the State, make up for the limited number of municipal squares.
The 2nd arrondissement, the smallest in Paris, is livelier and more commercial. Formerly a financial district, it is now bustling with covered arcades, restaurants and businesses. The atmosphere is dynamic, friendly and very urban. It has only two municipal squares.
From Île de la Cité to Porte de Charenton
From the heart to the outskirts of the capital, an urban route that first crosses the Île de la Cité and the Île Saint-Louis. It continues along the banks of the Seine and then the Port de l'Arsenal. After passing by the Gare de Lyon, the route briefly follows the Coulée verte René Dumont. The walk ends via Square Saint-Éloi, the former Gare de Reuilly and Place Félix Éboué with its lion fountain.
From Île de la Cité to Porte de Gentilly
From the heart to the outskirts of the capital, this urban route crosses the 5th arrondissement, passing through ancient streets and past several churches. It then climbs the Butte aux Cailles and its streets decorated with murals. At the end of the hike, you can stroll through the picturesque Cité Florale.
From Île de la Cité to Porte d'Auteuil
From the heart to the outskirts of the capital, an urban route that winds through the narrow streets of the 6th arrondissement before reaching the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and its Romanesque bell tower. We then cross the 7th arrondissement and its wide avenues, as well as the Seine, after passing through Île des Cygnes, at the end of which stands a replica of the Statue of Liberty. The route ends in the 16th arrondissement with a few mansions and Art Nouveau buildings.
From Île de la Cité to Porte de Clignancourt
From the heart to the outskirts of the capital, an urban route that crosses the Les Halles and Beaubourg districts, climbs the Butte Montmartre and descends to Clignancourt. Shopping streets, alleys, passageways and stairways await you.
From Île de la Cité to Porte de Courcelles
From the heart to the outskirts of the capital, an urban route that starts at the Pont Neuf (the oldest bridge in Paris), the Cour Carrée and the Louvre Pyramid, and the Tuileries Garden. We then reach the luxurious Opéra district. Finally, we cross Haussmannian Paris, with a few twists and turns in Parc Monceau along the way.
From Île de la Cité to Porte de Montreuil
From the heart to the outskirts of the capital, this urban route starts on the banks of the Seine and then follows the Port de l'Arsenal on the Canal Saint-Martin. It then crosses the Roquette and Charonne districts and takes a few narrow streets and passages bordering the Père Lachaise Cemetery.
From Île de la Cité to Porte de Pantin
From the heart to the outskirts of the capital, this urban route first takes you through the Marais district, dotted with mansions. Then, under the sign of water, you walk along the Canal Saint-Martin and then the Bassin de la Villette. The route ends at the entrance to the Parc de La Villette.
Sundials and astronomical curiosities in Paris
A long urban trail on the theme of sundials and sites related to astronomy scattered throughout Paris: the Paris meridian, observatories, gnomons, etc. Best done on a sunny day so you can read the time along the way! The sundials are often high up, sometimes hidden by trees that have grown... you may have to search hard to find them.
The Bestiary of the Louvre, the Tuileries and the Orsay
This urban route focuses on the heart of Paris, in a neighbourhood rich in world-famous museums, exploring depictions of animals. In the Tuileries Garden, these are particularly numerous and offer a conflicting view of the animal world, undoubtedly that of their time.
The bestiary of Paris
This guide brings together around thirty urban routes that allow you to discover representations of animals in the capital: sculptures, building decorations, murals, etc.
Grand tour of Île-de-France in 34 stages on the GR®11
This marked GR® route around the Île-de-France region (with a few forays into neighbouring departments and regions) complements its "little brother", the GR®1, by forming a circular route around Paris, generally with a slightly larger radius.
It follows the same overall pattern: first, a radial section starting from Paris (more precisely from the Pont d'Austerlitz, near the former confluence of the Bièvre and the Seine), going up the entire Bièvre valley, then continuing to Villiers-Saint-Frédéric, in the Yvelines. From there, it is a circular route that loops around the Île-de-France region, close to its borders with neighbouring regions.
The route passes through beautiful regions, often untouched by intensive urbanisation, regional nature parks and other protected natural areas, and takes in some architectural wonders.
Paris Pont d'Austerlitz - Massy
First stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR® 11, starting from the former confluence of the Bièvre and the Seine at the Pont d'Austerlitz in Paris, to the Massy-Palaiseau station in Essonne. It consists of climbing up the lower part of the Bièvre valley, where the river flows mainly underground but is sometimes exposed to the open air following rehabilitation programmes.
The Passages of Paris
In Paris, the term ‘passages’ refers to covered walkways through which one goes from one street to another by passing through one or more buildings, and which are intended solely for pedestrians. The shops there are splendid, well-stocked, but somewhat expensive. In bad weather, like the Palais-Royal, they serve as promenades and meeting places. They are generally lit by gas.
Lakes and streams in the Bois de Vincennes
A pleasant route through the Bois de Vincennes, along four lakes and streams. There are other things to discover if you want to extend your walk. You may be lucky enough to spot Victor, the grey heron, between Lac de Gravelle and the Château de Vincennes.
From the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Port de Javel along the banks of the Seine
An urban route that allows you to enjoy the fully pedestrianised left bank of the Seine in Paris! You walk pleasantly along the river and pass by some of the capital’s most famous landmarks: Île Saint-Louis, Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pont Neuf, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower.
Adjust your route according to the water levels of the Seine: see the practical information section.
From Bry-sur-Marne to Lagny-sur-Marne
The spread of Columbanian rule led to the establishment of more than forty monasteries in Western Europe. Queen Bathilde founded one of the most important women's abbeys in France in Chelles.
This second journey, or path of exile, was travelled by Columbanus and his compatriots between 610 and 613, from Paris to Rebais. It marked the beginning of a new journey eastwards to Bregenz on Lake Constance and then Bobbio.
From the Latin Quarter to the Cité Universitaire Internationale
From parks to gardens, grand boulevards to charming, quiet residential streets, and the lively shopping districts so typical of the capital, set off to explore the 5th, 13th and 14th arrondissements of Paris.
Green spaces in Paris’s 5th arrondissement
Just like Paris’s oldest arrondissement, the gardens of the fifth evoke the past: the Cluny Medieval Garden, Square Viviani, where the capital’s oldest tree, the famous black locust, has watched Paris transform for over 400 years; the Arènes de Lutèce or the Jardin des Plantes, the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants. A tour through bustling neighbourhoods, blending bookshops, student cafés and ancient alleyways in an authentic, timeless atmosphere that embodies the intellectual soul of Paris.
The Bestiary of the Latin Quarter
This urban route takes you on a journey of discovery through animal representations in the streets of the 5th arrondissement and through the Jardin des Plantes in Paris: sculptures and building ornamentation await you. It is also an opportunity to stroll through a lively neighbourhood, home to several renowned universities and schools.
The Forts of Écouen and Domont loop trail
A walk starting from Écouen, passing through Piscop and skirting Sarcelles-Saint-Brice and Villiers-le-Bel, between the two forts of Écouen and Domont, the Écouen Regional Forest and the Montmorency State Forest, two churches, castles, urban areas, some farmland and deciduous woodland.
Retrace Bourvil and Gabin’s walk through Paris
Retrace the steps of Bourvil and Jean Gabin in Claude Autant-Lara’s film. Of course, all this remains rather imaginary, as very little of the film was shot on location. But there is still the route from Rue Poliveau to Rue Lepic and the pleasure of strolling through the streets of Paris. There is one more filming location that lies too far off the main route: 158 Boulevard Hausmann, now the Jacquemart-André Museum, where the scenes of the arrival at the Kommandantur were filmed.
Le Quartier Latin and Sainte-Geneviève Mountain
Le Quartier Latin is a labyrinth of streets, each as important as the next, as there is a strong history behind. The Sainte-Geneviève Mountain is home to several prestigious schools, and the presence of numerous students adds to the atmosphere of this magnificent suburb.
Paris, stroll from the Left Bank to the Right Bank
A stroll through the heart of Paris. This walk does not claim to cover all of Paris' monuments, but rather takes you from the left bank to the right bank of the Seine, avoiding some of the tourist crowds.
Ecouen Ezanville
Country walk through woods, town and plains, starting from Ecouen Castle.
From Italie to Didot via Butte-aux-Cailles and Petit Montrouge
A journey through the 13th and 14th arrondissements of Paris, through lively neighbourhoods with diverse architecture. Numerous "villas" lined with old workshops and pretty townhouses, the remains of two aqueducts, including a Gallo-Roman one, heritage from the first half of the 20th century and a few street murals await you.
The murals of the 13th arrondissement
Paris’s 13th arrondissement is renowned for its abundance of murals and for the sheer scale of some of these works, which cover walls up to sixty metres high. This urban trail offers the chance to discover no fewer than forty of them, including some of the most spectacular. For street art enthusiasts!
In the footsteps of astronomers and artists between Denfert and Montparnasse
This urban walk takes you through a neighbourhood that was frequented by many artists in the first half of the 20th century. It is also where the Paris Observatory was first established, as evidenced by the names of the adjacent streets.