RunCity

Paris on foot: a self-guided walking route

This route takes you past 11 of Paris's best-known sights, including Medici Fountain, Panthéon, Notre-Dame Cathedral and more. It is about 15.5 km on foot, roughly 4.5 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Follow the list on your own, or play it as a free GPS checkpoint game with RunCity and race the clock on the Paris leaderboard.

  • 11Stops
  • about 15.5 kmDistance
  • 4.5 hoursWalking
  • about 115 minRunning
Play Paris in RunCity

Free during launch. Runs in your phone's browser; the app is in English, German and Hungarian.

Paris
Photo: Yann Caradec from Paris, France · CC BY-SA 2.0

This route links the Left Bank, the islands, the Louvre and the great axis of western Paris, then climbs to Montmartre. It begins quietly at the Medici Fountain in the Luxembourg Garden, passes the Panthéon on its hill and crosses to Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité. From the Pont Neuf you follow the river to the Louvre pyramid, through the Tuileries to the obelisk on Place de la Concorde, and over to the golden dome of Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars.

The Arc de Triomphe marks the top of the Champs-Élysées, and the last stretch heads north to the Moulin Rouge in Pigalle and the white domes of Sacré-Cœur. At about 15 km this is a full day; the metro is the easy way to skip a leg, for example from the Arc de Triomphe to Blanche or Anvers. Finish at Sacré-Cœur in the evening for the view over the whole city.

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Download the route as GPX (for Komoot, Strava or a watch)

The stops

A suggested order. In the game you can visit them in any order.

  1. Medici Fountain

    Medici Fountain

    A shaded pool and grotto in the Luxembourg Garden.

    Photo: Francis Bourgouin · CC BY 2.0

  2. Panthéon

    Panthéon

    The columned dome on the hill of Sainte-Geneviève.

    Photo: Moonik · CC BY-SA 3.0

  3. Notre-Dame Cathedral

    Notre-Dame Cathedral Photo

    The twin towers from the square in front.

    Photo: Ali Sabbagh · CC0

  4. Pont Neuf

    Pont Neuf

    Paris's oldest standing bridge, with its stone faces.

    Photo: Rmrfstar · CC BY-SA 3.0

  5. Louvre Pyramid

    Louvre Pyramid Photo

    The glass pyramid in the Louvre courtyard.

    Photo: Maksim Sokolov (maxergon.com) · CC BY-SA 4.0

  6. Place de la Concorde obelisk

    Place de la Concorde obelisk Photo

    The Luxor obelisk with the Tuileries behind it.

    Photo: Cristian Bortes from Cluj-Napoca, Romania · CC BY 2.0

  7. Les Invalides

    Les Invalides

    The golden dome over the old soldiers' hospital.

    Photo: CaBLe27 · CC BY 2.0

  8. Eiffel Tower

    Eiffel Tower Photo

    The whole tower from the Champ de Mars.

    Photo: Benh LIEU SONG · Public domain

  9. Arc de Triomphe

    Arc de Triomphe Photo

    The arch seen from the Champs-Élysées side.

    Photo: ZeusUpsistos · CC BY-SA 4.0

  10. Moulin Rouge

    Moulin Rouge Bonus

    The red windmill over the cabaret door.

    Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0

  11. Sacré-Cœur Basilica

    Sacré-Cœur Basilica Photo

    The white domes from the steps below.

    Photo: Tonchino · CC BY-SA 3.0

Play Paris in RunCity

Leaderboard

    Questions

    Can you see Paris on foot in one day?

    Yes. The 11 stops on this route add up to about 15.5 km, roughly 4.5 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Some stops are far apart, so you may want public transport for a leg.

    Is this self-guided walking tour free?

    Yes. The route and map on this page are free, and the RunCity game for Paris is free during launch.

    How does the RunCity game work in Paris?

    Open Paris in RunCity, walk to a stop and tap Validate: your phone's GPS confirms you are there. Some stops also ask for a photo. Timed runs go on the Paris leaderboard.

    Where does the route start?

    This page suggests starting at Medici Fountain and finishing at Sacré-Cœur Basilica. In the game you can take the stops in any order.

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