There are many places to run in Paris, offering a wide range of advantages. From a quiet, little corner to a park frequented by groups of runners, to heritage or nature trails... there's something for everyone.
1. Jardin des Plantes, in the5th arrondissement
The Jardin des Plantes is a 2.5-hectare plant paradise for runners. The park is laid out in a variety of areas: formal gardens, plants from all over the world, a rose garden, an ecological garden... If you're lucky, you'll even catch a glimpse of animals in the menagerie! This 400-year-old park offers an ideal setting for running in Paris. Its big advantage is that, compared with other parks of the same size in Paris, it's relatively uncrowded, yet very central and easily accessible. It's also worth noting that the Jardin des Plantes, in the5th arrondissement, offers almost exclusively flat terrain, which, combined with its rather short paths, makes it an ideal place for fast or leisurely, easy-level runs.
The trails are, in fact, quite short, and are limited to around 2.5 km, which means you'll need to repeat the laps for a more substantial course.
2. The coulée verte, one of the places to run in Paris's 11th arrondissement
Who would have thought that in the heart of Paris, a wooded, verdant greenway winds its way between Haussmann buildings? If it's often compared to New York's High Line, it's because the coulée verte is also often elevated. In fact, it follows the route of a former railway line 7 m above ground level, so that a large part of the greenway is at the height of the first or second floor of buildings, and is accessible via staircases at various points, notably along the Avenue Daumesnil.
In fact, even though most of the greenway is located in the 12th arrondissement, it is easily accessible from the 11th arrondissement, from Place de la Bastille. From this starting point, the coulée verte stretches all the way to the Parc de Vincennes, a stretch of almost 5 km. Then, if you want to continue the walk, you can extend your running session in the Bois de Vincennes. The great advantage of the coulée verte for joggers is that, despite its extremely central location in the heart of Paris, it is a planted, verdant, bucolic promenade, perfect for a breath of fresh air!
3. The section between the Pont de l'Alma and the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, one of the best places to run on the quays in Paris
Generally speaking, you can run anywhere on the quays of the Seine, as they have been entirely designed to be accessible to pedestrians. All you have to do is choose between the left and right banks! There are, however, some sections that are more pleasant than others for running on the quays in Paris. This is particularly true of the quays between the Pont de l'Alma and the Pont de Bir-Hakeim. The secret of this route is simple: it offers simply spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower !
The section between the two bridges isjust under 2 km long, making it perfect for a moderate run. If you'd like to make it a little longer, you can branch off into the Champ de Mars, which lies between the two bridges, before returning to your original route.
4. La petite ceinture, one of the best places to run in Paris's 15th arrondissement
The petite ceinture is an old railroad line surrounding the capital. Although it is some thirty kilometers long, only a few sections are open to the public, and are among the best places to run in Paris. There are 8 accessible sections. Of these, the section in the 15th arrondissement is certainly the best for running, as it is one of the longest, at 1.3 km.
La petite ceinture du 15, or PC15 for experienced runners, is a green bubble in the middle of the city, offering almost untamed landscapes, where nature reclaims its rights. For example, there are no street lights, so as not to disturb the animals' biological rhythms. It's for this reason that the little belt of the 15th closes every evening, a little before nightfall, but you can consult the timetable online.
5. Bois de Vincennes, the best place to run in Paris in summer
Here, there's no question of restricting yourself to a one- or two-kilometre run! The idea is rather to escape the concrete jungle, and return to the natural surroundings of Paris : the Bois de Vincennes. The Bois de Vincennes offers a host of trails, forming loops sometimes as long as 15 km. Public lighting means you can enjoy the trails even at night.
Another big advantage of the Bois de Vincennes: even if you live in the city, you can get there without taking public transport, simply by running along the coulée verte from the 12th arrondissement. Once there, your strides won't be on asphalt, but on dirt paths, which will preserve your joints. Finally, the Bois de Vincennes is the ideal place to run in Paris in summer, as the trees provide plenty of cool shade. Thanks to the wide-open spaces, you'll also be spared the crowds of Parisian parks.
6. The Champ de Mars, one of the best places to run in Paris in the evening
The Champ de Mars is one of the few running areas in Paris with soft ground. It's also one of the few parks that not only doesn't close at night, but remains well lit. Another not inconsiderable point: running with scenery that is the envy of the world. This makes it one of the best places to run in Paris after dark.
7. Les Buttes Chaumont, the best place to run in Paris to learn the difference in altitude
The Buttes Chaumont are, as their name suggests, hills. In other words, they offer a gradient as interesting as it is rare in the capital. You can go up and down, making it the best place to run in Paris for trail training. What's more, it'sone of the largest green spaces in Paris. And as every effort deserves its reward: at the top of the buttes, you'll have a magical view of Paris!
8. Parc de Belleville is one of the best places to run in Paris's 20th arrondissement
Parc de Belleville, in the 20th arrondissement, is the ideal alternative to Buttes Chaumont. It, too, offers several interesting slopes for a slightly more sustained session. It, too, offers a beautiful view of Paris, and even the Eiffel Tower. Except that, unlike the Buttes Chaumont, just 1 km away, Belleville park is not very busy, which is rare for running in Paris, Lyon or other major cities. This park is much smaller, however, covering an area of 4.5 ha.
9. The Butte Montmartre, one of the places to run in Paris's 18th arrondissement
Although this time you'll have to run on hard ground, the Butte Montmartre combines a number of advantages. Firstly, it provides a backdrop to one of Paris's most beautiful neighborhoods. Secondly, it's one of the most popular spots in Paris for training on uneven ground. You can work out in the winding streets, or do cardio sessions on the stairs. One small drawback, however: Montmartre is one of the most touristy areas of Paris, and you'll generally have to share your space with passers-by.
10. The Tuileries Gardens, for space in the heart of Paris
The Jardin des Tuileries is one of the best places to run in Paris, because it offers two advantages rarely combined when it comes to running in Paris, running in Marseille, or in any other big city: it's a superb heritage site, and yet remains relatively uncrowded. In fact, thanks to its wide paths and impressive 25-hectare surface area, you'll have plenty of space for your running sessions. Another bonus that makes the Jardin de Tuileries a jogger's paradise is that it takes good care of your joints, thanks to a supple sand floor. Please note, however, that while the garden is open all year round, it's not ideal for running in winter, when it hosts the Christmas market.
11. The Luxembourg Gardens, to admire the landscape
The Luxembourg Gardens offer several trails, which can form loops of up to 3 km. The best way to make the most of it is togo early in the morning, before it gets too crowded.
Indeed, during the day, especially on sunny weekends, the park quickly becomes overcrowded. After the effort, the comfort: you'll have plenty of time to rest from your run by sitting on the famous wrought-iron chairs, almost as famous as the park itself!
12. Parc Monceau, ideal for a short run
Like the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Parc Monceau tends to be quite busy on sunny days. All the more so as its surface area is limited to 8.5 ha, so you can quickly feel cramped. Early in the day, however, it's still very uncrowded. Parc Monceau is therefore the ideal location in the 8th arrondissement, for runners who like to do their sessions in the morning. The loop extends over a distance of 1 km, almost exclusively flat, with the exception of one false-flat area.
13. The Fontainebleau forest, the best place for forest running in Paris
Covering an area of22,000 ha, the Fontainebleau forest is one of the best places to run in Paris, as well as for cycling and hiking. Its wooded landscapes are criss-crossed by dozens of trails, so you can go there very often, and always come across a new path. By far the best-known of these is the circuit des 25 bosses, which corresponds more precisely to the Trois Pignons forest. It's a 14 km loop, with a cumulative vertical drop of 800 m. However, don't limit yourself to this trail, frequented by the majority of runners, as there are many other routes nearby that are just as interesting, and where you'll find much more peace and quiet.
14. The Père Lachaise cemetery, an unusual and bucolic spot
Some might find it a little disconcerting to run in a cemetery. Yet running is not disrespectful, it doesn 't disturb anyone, and it's perfectly possible to take your strides while communing with the dead. Dozens of runners have already made the aisles of the Père Lachaise cemetery their favorite running ground, and are joined every day by onlookers taking advantage of the benches to read, or locals doing their morning tai-chi. It's easy to understand why: with the exception of a few touristy alleys, the area is quiet and wild.
15. Along the Canal de l'Ourcq, a quiet, linear route
The Canal de l'Ourcq offers an almost uninterrupted route along the water's edge, unbroken by roads or other obstacles. It's also very easy to get to, as it can be reached by various metro lines: 2, 5, 7 and 7bis. Unlike most Parisian parks, the Canal de l'Ourcq has no opening hours, making it one of the few natural areas in Paris where you can run both early in the morning and late at night.
