Porte Saint-Denis (Paris) walks

A north-south walk through the 10th, 11th and 12th arrondissements of Paris, in search of depictions of animals. Throughout the first half of the route, these are mainly found in murals. The second half offers greater diversity in terms of animal subjects.

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").

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.