Favorite Paris walks...
 

I am getting a little overwhelmed with all the walks. We would love to do one or two, but how to pick? We will be staying in the 6th, so kind of in the middle of it all. I know we will see a lot just exploring our own neighborhood.

Fodors book has walks, Rick Steves, Bonjour Paris, Degas, etc. all have wonderful walks. But how to choose two walks for five days stay in Paris? It is overwhelming.

And then once you pick the walks, do you download and then hold the paper up as you walk around the city so you don't get all turned around?

Any guidance here would be appreciated. I WANT to do it ALL, but know that I can't. Must make some choices. But like going into the chocolate shop, how to choose? They all look wonderful.

This may sound absolutely crazy....but I did this accidently and enjoyed myself immensely: Stop planning the walks so much.

I planned, planned, planned, read every book. You know what...as soon as I got to Paris...everything changed. In fact, my only mandatory daily routine was to take 10 minutes before I slept and 10 minutes in the cafe to flip through the "walks" and books just to give myself and friends a "sketch" of what we thought we would like to walk to/around. After that...it just flowed.

Just a suggestion to ease your stress level. YOU ARE ON VACATION...enjoy it...dont make it a workday.

Each day pick an area...and walk it. That being said...depending on your legs and time frame...Paris is unbelievably "walk-able."

I totally agree with pmgoosed and share his/her experience. I have good intentions of following a self-guided walks (I even brought some handy dandy cards along for my last trip) and then never do them. Instead, I just wander wherever my heart (and my aching) feet take me). I suppose I'm missing lots of great history, but I can live with that.

I have, however, taken several walks with Paris Walks and have enjoyed them quite immensely. So far, I've done one of their Marais circuits, Occupation and Liberation and Montmarte. I especially enjoyed the charming Englishman (I think his name is David) who led us through Montmarte.

Indygirl has the right idea. We walked each day during our three months in Paris last Fall, and each day was exciting. I think the secret is to pick a target each day, a museum, a restaurant, whatever, and then stroll in that direction.....returning on a different route of course.

One warning: There is dog poop on the sidewalks, so it helps if you occasionally look down!

Ok...am i the only one who missed the dog excrements? I spent 20 days in Paris last year and not once did I see pooh. Everyone asks me about the pooh...and I think there is more pooh in Boston and NY than Paris.

Maybe they knew I was coming and used those little pooh cleaners?

;)

I agree with not overplanning your walks. The best thing about being in Paris is to wander the ancient streets. However, I suggest walking in the Marais, St. Germain, and Latin Quarter districts.

As to the dog poop situation, to me it's improved alot over the years. There seemed to be alot more of the 'green men' cleaning the sidewalks and streets when we visited a week ago.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34770424

The above thread gives links to the Degas Walks, which are a good resource. As others have stated, a mix is good. Instead of taking the metro, for example, from Arch de Triomphe to Beaubourg, walk between the two sites...much to see. Metro in the morning, walk back to hotel at night, by a different route every day. Explore the neighbourhood around your hotel, find a favorite patisserie, a cafe for end of day recapping. A good Michelin or other map, and just go. And, for some perspective, mix in some guided walks so you get to see and learn more about the history and architecture of a neighbourhood, info that guidebooks and or wandering on your own may not provide.
I've done the St Germain and Two Islands tours from ParisWalks and I don't mind recommending them.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...ing/future.htm

Enjoy!
Mike

The excellent books by Thirza Valois on Paris arrondissements make great guides for walks.