5 Best Spots for Running in Paris

One of the things I was worried about before moving to Paris was being able to stay active. In the U.S., I was a regular gym-goer, but I had been told that this wasn’t very common in Paris. There is still one activity that never fails in almost any location: running. Parisians may not go to the gym, but many of them definitely like running. Even though it’s a big, crowded city, there are lots of great ways to avoid the traffic and people on the streets.

These are some of the best spots to get a good run in:

The parks:

• Parc Monceau: nice location and good for short runs, in the 8e arrondissement
• Champ de Mars: get in your laps with a view of the Eiffel Tower, in the 7e arrondissement
•  Jardin du Luxembourg, in the 5e arrondissement

Along the Seine:

• The spaces along the Seine, or quais, are closed on Sundays and holidays from 9 am to 5 pm, making them great for running, especially on a Sunday.

In the woods, on the edges of the city:

• Bois de Vincennes or Boulogne

As for me, living outside the city, I have access to the edge of the Marne to run along. It’s a bit of a hike from within Paris–you have to take the RER to get outside the city.  But once there, you can get in long runs even during the week  while avoiding crowds and traffic!