Hiking in Paris? Whilst the idea may seem far-fetched to some, it is actually a wonderful way to (re)discover the charms of a city that boasts no fewer than 8 Grande Randonnée (GR) trails. 50 km of circular routes between the Périphérique and the Boulevards des Maréchaux, and 75 green spaces. On your marks, get set, walk!
Launched in 2017 to support Paris’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this route could well, in the future, prove just as popular as some of its famous predecessors favoured by walkers (GR 20, etc.). On the itinerary: a truly Parisian loop of 50 km between the Périphérique and the Maréchaux, passing through nine arrondissements and crossing no fewer than 75 green spaces. Le bois de Vincennes where the cricket matches of the first Paris edition of the 1900 Olympic Games were held, the Tourelles aquatic stadium (now the Georges Vallerey swimming pool, in the 20th arrondissement), which 24 years later saw Johnny Weissmuller become the first swimmer to complete a 100m in under a minute (…) : the GR 75 is a real journey into the heart of the city’s sporting history. It also highlights Paris’s rendezvous with the world in 2024, with stops at the Parc des Princes, Roland-Garros ou encore l’Accor Arena. A must-do circuit for sports fans.
These routes, which are also all signposted, offer plenty of opportunities to hike for hours with your eyes wide open.
The first of the three, 21 km long, connects the bois de Vincennes à celui de Boulogne, where the walk can end with a picnic by the lower lake. Before that, walkers will have had the chance to cross the Seine and take in the Tour Eiffel and then go via the École Militaire, the Jardin du Luxembourg or Mount Sainte-Geneviève and its Panthéon. On the right bank are the square Ranelagh, the maison Balzac et le musée du vin qui les attendent.
Route 2, meanwhile, showcases some of Paris’s most iconic “villages”. After the Parc de la Villette and then that of the Buttes Chaumont, hikers walk along and pass through the canal St-Martin before venturing into the narrow streets of the Marais. A few photos in front of the Musées Picasso and Carnavalet, and the path continues via the Îles de la Cité and Saint-Louis. Pont Au Double, Marie or Saint-Louis: this stretch in the heart of the capital with Notre-Dame de Paris There’s something magical about it as a backdrop. A little further south, it’s the quartier latin which then opens up before walkers and precedes a passage through the 13e arrondissement of Paris. Created following the town’s expansion in 1960, it is synonymous with a stroll (except for those who might have opted for this route from south to north) towards the Gobelins and the Buttes aux Cailles. Just a little further, and there it is: the highest point (78m) on the left bank comes into view: welcome to the Parc Montsouris… before the final stop opposite the Cité Universitaire.
Although it covers only the right bank, route 3 (from Porte Maillot to Porte Dorée) is nonetheless a must-see. History buffs know what they’re doing, as this route takes you through the capital as it was before certain towns were incorporated into the city. And once again, your calves will be put to the test with sections through the Place de l’Étoile, Montmartre, le Parc des Buttes Chaumont and that of Belleville. Not quite as high up, the square des Batignolles, the parc Monceau or even the village de Charonne are also on the programme. We’ll then round things off with a lovely trip to the countryside near the Promenade Plantée.
Free and open to all, the Panamées combine walking with exploring Paris from unique perspectives, thanks to themed walking tours. A monthly invitation to stroll through the streets of Paris, following in the footsteps of Victor Hugo, discovering the architecture of Le Corbusier, or to the rhythm of songs paying tribute to the city. For more information on these city walks organised by the Paris Departmental Hiking Committee: Panamées.
Fans of the Bois de Boulogne et de Vincennes, they, too, have plenty to keep them on their toes. The first loop can be completed in just under 3 hours and offers a welcome break from the tarmac, featuring a path that runs alongside a stream and passes under a waterfall. Two loops are also possible on the Vincennes side, with the longer one (11 km) starting at the Château and passing near the Tropical Agronomy Garden and Lac de Gravelle. Stretching over 800 km, the GR2 crosses Paris via two routes. The first runs from the Bois de Vincennes to the Porte de Sèvres and the second from the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Parc André Citroën. In both cases, the magic unfolds as Paris reveals itself as you go along.
