Paris City GuidePractical InformationsHow to get around

Scenic walks and tours

On foot

Paris is undeniably a city best which is best discovered on foot.  There are plenty of churches, museums or other monuments to visit, but don’t forget to explore the surrounding neighborhoods which make Paris so unique.  There are several areas within the city which are quite scenic and ideal for an aimless walk.  Why not go for a weekend stroll along the Canal Saint Martin—it’s closed each Sunday for pedestrians from 2-6 pm.  Near République, the canal passes underground and there is a street level promenade which leads all the way to Place de la Bastille and the Seine.

Speaking of the Seine, there are a variety of ways to discover the splendor of Paris’ lifeline.  You may opt to have a peaceful stroll on the cobblestone quays of Île-Saint-Louis or Île-de-la Cité, a perfect vantage point for some of the city’s most magnificent architecture.  During the summer months, the George Pompidou Bypass which runs along the lower right bank is closed to traffic on Sundays and public holidays.  Walkers, bikers and rollerbladers have free reign from the Tuiliries gardens all the way to Bercy.  In addition, from July 15^th to August 15^th the addition of sand, beach chairs and vendors transform the stretch into Paris Plage (www.parisrama.com/thematiques/thematiqueplageaparis.htm).  If you’re in town, don’t miss it!      

As a rule of thumb, the most pleasant time for a stroll on the streets of Paris is in the morning, between 7 and 8 am.  Not only will you have an opportunity to quietly examine your surroundings but you also can witness the neighborhood as it comes to life.   Of course, the best example of this phenomenon is the Champs Elysées.  However, there are small market streets all over Paris which offer the same simple pleasure.  If you are on the right bank, try Rue Montorgueil for an early morning coffee and croissant or Café Beaubourg to witness the animated piazza in front of Pompidou Center come to life.

No matter where you go in Paris, keep an eye out for the brown-colored monuments markers which point out places or buildings of historical interest.

Bateaux Mouches

Paris’ famous river boat cruises offer yet another opportunity to see the city and its monuments from a unique perspective.  There are several outfitters along each side of the river which offer cruises on boats of varying shapes and sizes.  Most offer daytime cruises which last around one hour and include a narration which points out the bridges and monuments from the Eiffel Tower to the Jardin des Plantes.  Narrations are either live in French and English or heard in several languages through the use of a personal headset.  Here are some of your options (please consult the individual companies directly, as prices and hours are subject to change):

• Bateau Parisiens (tel. 01 44 11 33 44,  www.bateauxparisiens.com. Located at Port de la Bourdonnais, 7^th arrondissement, métro line 6, station Bir-Hakeim) The standard tour costs 10 €, covers 13 km of the Seine and lasts around one hour.  From April to October, boats depart every 30 minutes from 10:00-22:30 (with the exception of 1230 and 1930).  From October to April, there is a departure each hour from 10:00 to 19:30.  For your information, this company also organizes dinner and lunch cruises.
• Batobus (tel. 01 44 11 33 99, www.batobus.com) is a river taxi/tour boat which allows you to get on and off the boat at eight stops (Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, St-Germain-des-Près, Notre Dame, jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre and Champ-Elysées.  A one-day pass costs 10 € and 12.50 € for two days and you can board at any station every 25 minutes.  From April to October, Batobus operates each day from 10:00-19:00 and until 21:00 from June to September. 
• Vedettes Pont Neuf (tel.  01 46 33 98 38,  www.pontneuf.net.  Located at Square du Vert Galant, 1^er arrondissement, métro line 7, station Pont Neuf)  This company operates a varied schedule:  every 30 minutes from April to October between 10:00-18:30 (with the exception of 12:30 and 13:00.)  From November to March boats depart at 10:30, 11:15, 12:00 and every 30 minutes from 14:00-17:00.  Night cruises depart at 20:00 and 22:00.  Each journey lasts around one hour.