Walking around Paris
 

My husband and I love to walk (okay, I love to, he tolerates it). We will be flying, training, busing, everything but walking. Does anyone know if it is possible to walk around the City of Paris safely? For example, we are staying in Saint Germain and arriving at Gare du Nord. It looks to be a three mile distance, which would be fine for us after a 3 hour trip on the Eurostar. Is this possible?<BR>Thanks for the help.

paris is very safe. That said, sometimes gypsys come up and try to pickpocket you if you look like a tourist. My fantasy would not be walking 3 miles with a suitcase---anyway, you could take a taxi if you get tired on the way

Hi Colleen. Will you have much luggage with you? I'm like you in that I love to walk, but that's without luggage. Can't say I'm all that keen on walking any distance while toting, or even rolling, luggage.

I was in Paris in April 2000...and loved walking...however it could be like the streets of New York City...where I'm from...things are spread out...Eiffel Tower is on the left bank...Arc de Triomphe on the left...I say if you like to walk...walk down Champs Elysee...and then take the train everywhere else...Its easy...No hassle at all...<BR><BR>Oh and the luggage issue...When I was in Paris...we walked a lot and took the subway...and also jumped on the Thalys to Amsterdam...I brought one of those rolley luggage's on the trip which I thought would be great...but now I will never go to Europe w/o a back pack...There are ones made especially for women...that fit to the contour of your body...and have side zip so that you can have easy access to your clothes when unpacking at the hotel<BR><BR>Have fun and good luck.Paris is wonderful

I was in Paris in April 2000...and loved walking...however it could be like the streets of New York City...where I'm from...things are spread out...Eiffel Tower is on the left bank...Arc de Triomphe on the right bank...I say if you like to walk...walk down Champs Elysee...and then take the train everywhere else...Its easy...No hassle at all...<BR><BR>Oh and the luggage issue...When I was in Paris...we walked a lot and took the subway...and also jumped on the Thalys to Amsterdam...I brought one of those rolley luggage's on the trip which I thought would be great...but now I will never go to Europe w/o a back pack...There are ones made especially for women...that fit to the contour of your body...and have side zip so that you can have easy access to your clothes when unpacking at the hotel<BR><BR>Have fun and good luck.Paris is wonderful

I meant to say Eiffel Tower is on the left bank and Arc De Triomphe is on the right...Accidentally posted it twice.

I would take a taxi from the train station to your hotel. Then get out & get walking! My thought is you'd probably be safe enough, but hauling even tiny luggage 3 miles doesn't sound like much fun to me (and i generally LOVE to walk). <BR><BR>A lovely (long) route we did one full day... was take Metro up to the Eiffle Tower, walk across thru the 7th, with lunch on Rue Cler (street name), onto Arc de Triomphe, back down the river thru the Tuilleries, around Notre Dam, Luxembourg Gardens (please pardon all misspellings). This was our first trip to Paris and the best map we found was a free one the hotels passed out (far easier to follow than my purchased guidebook with maps by arrondisements).

Walking from Gare du Nord to St. Germain does not sound like a lot of fun. But walking in Paris IS a lot of fun and very easy and safe. Cab to the hotel and then strike out toward the sites and sights of Paris. And while the free maps that your hotel gives out are good for an overview and orientation but they do not have all the streets--something you will want if looking for a restaurant for example.

Walking is THE way to see Paris. Having said that, I would definitely save my energy for the fun part and get to the hotel via other means than walking with your luggage. That's a lot of intersections, a lot of traffic, and a lot of dog poop to negotiate. Give your hubby a break!

Walking in Paris? Just got back from my first (and hopefully last) trip there. 1 out of 3 Parisian households have 1 or more dogs and they can do no wrong. I don't care how beautiful the city is (and yes, it is a beauty) We never saw a square foot of grass or bare ground that didn't have at least one pile of dog feces festering on it. Sorry, but my idea of culture doesn't include stopping to scrape my shoes every few block.

Okay ... that's a lot of replies, and I really do appreciate them. You are all probably right about taxi/metro first. We are traveling light - backpacks that can convert to wheelie things. We are fairly independent travellers and my husband likes to get his geographical bearings in a place, so walking is often the way. But, with all these great replies I think we will save the walking for the sights. Thanks to everyone.

ttt

When I arrive in a new city after a long flight, I find that I am a little disorientated. Only 3 miles but which street to take, where ARE the street signs, etc., etc. Plus I'm pretty impatient at that point. Not a good way to start a vacation. I would take a taxi to the hotel.