Will I be able to comforably walk most of Paris, or will I need to use the transit system to get around?

Question

I'm staying for 6 days,and really just want to walk to the whole dang thing. I'm in good shape, but would I be better busing some too and choosing my spots to walk?

A very silly question I realize, but I'm just curious how "walkable" you have found Paris?

Answer 1

Try to get a central city hotel and expect to take the metro a few times.
Last times I was there I stayed near the Notre Dame, and walked away from the hotel in different directions each day, to take a metro back 'home' in the evening.
This way you can walk more than twice as far as you do not need to be concerned about getting too tired or too late to walk back home.

Paris is walker friendly, with a lot of underground crossings for the busy roads, many parks and wide sidewalks (pavements) for the boulevards.
As a woman alone I walked there till the night fell (March so the days were short) but felt absolutely safe even in the dark going out for dinner.

Take a map, hotels mostly have free ones, and try to get a map with the metro system superimposed, given at the Metro-ticket counters at the main Metro/Railway stations.
This helps a lot to find your way home, but is also a help when you get lost, as all metro-stops are easy to recognize.
And I found that almost everybody working in tourist industry in Paris can understand basic English, and most speak English well, so you can always ask for help and directions.

Answer 2

I'd recommend you use the metro. First, it only costs 1.40 euro to ride, and it's quick. Paris is extremely big and if you only have six days, you won't want to waste time walking in that heat. Paris IS walkable, but it has a great transit system for a reason. Take advantage of it.

Answer 3

Yeah you can walk in paris.... just make sure to wear comfy shoes... even though it's a big city... everything is pretty much close by... because the center of Paris is the most important where most of the landmarks and monuments are at... you can see most of them as you walk around... you can use the metro as well to get to farther places like La Defense (where La Grande Arche de La Defense is at...paralelle to L'arc du Triumph)... or to Pigalle... where the Moulin Rouge and Sacre Coeur are at... those are the farthest points... I think... and of course Versailles you deifnitely need the metro and RER... but otherwise you will be ok to walk around Paris... otherwise you will be like a groundhog...and stay underground and wont be able to see the city of lights and love because you will be stuck under ground if you rely solely on the transport system...
hope i helped!
Bonne chance!

Answer 4

It's a large city, but if you're in good shape, you shouldn't have any problems. My husband and I almost never take public transport when we vacation. You see so much more by walking. The only exception is if we have to go through "bad" neighborhoods to get to our destination. Then we might take a cab. Check with your hotel on places best avoided before you set out and plan accordingly.

Answer 5

I love Paris. And many things are close by. But I enjoy the metro stations. They are well routed and easy to spot and get to. They are also infront of many attractions. But for the avid walker, I recomend the Latin Quarter and Avenue de Champse-Elysee!!!

Answer 6

Paris is one of the most compact major tourist cities anywhere.

I walk almost every where and rarely feel it neccessary to take public transport. Its also so rich in excellant architecture, filled with pleasant little cafes and small shops, that jsut wandering is almost always rewarding.

Answer 7

i suggest you take the metro to Eiffel tower,you can then spend the day having a walk from there to the arc de triomphe(15mins),from there you can walk down the champs elysses(15-30mins),,theres a lovely park at the end to walk through which is in front of the Elysee(presidents residents,15mins,then you will find yourself at Concorde,another lovely walk through the park there will lead you to the Louvre(15mins),or before the park make a right and walk down to invalides(15mins) a nice museum and tomb of napoleon.

its worth a visit to pere laschaise cemetery(where Jim Morrison is buried).

whatever you decide watch your possessions(wallet etc)
good luck and enjoy

good luck

Answer 8

take the Metro(politain). cheap and efficient.
Very easy maps to use. they are all over each stations.
I wouldn't walk from let's say Notre-Dame to Montmartre or Pigalle to Pere Lachaise(major cemetary). But walk in Champs-Elysees to the Opera to Galleries Lafayette (great shopping there)

Answer 9

shure you can walk all paris... but! some times you can get short in time, and it will take you longer to walk than taking the metro... or bus, personally taking the bus is better you get to see paris, .... metro is faster though...