Running (or walking): A Great Way to See the Major Sights of Paris!

If you would like a pdf map of this run/walk, just email me at eatndrink@aol.com and I'll email you the map.

Approximate distance: five miles (two miles to place de l'Alma and three miles to Arc de Triomphe).

Take the metro (subway) to the Ecole Militaire stop.

You’ll see the huge Ecole Militaire (Royal Military Academy).

Now start running to the Eiffel Tower.

The Champ de Mars are the long gardens that stretch from the Ecole Militaire to the Eiffel Tower. Run under the fabulous Eiffel Tower. It’s without doubt the most recognizable structure in the world.

Run behind the Eiffel Tower and cross the bridge (the Pont d’Iéna).

Once you cross the bridge, you’ll see the huge Chaillot Palace surrounded by more than 60 fountains.

Turn right (as you face the palace) on the avenue de New York along the Seine River. Follow avenue de New York until you reach the Pont de l’Alma (the second bridge). At the place de l’Alma, you’ll see a replica of the torch of the Statue of Liberty.

The replica of the torch of the Statue of Liberty was erected here in 1987. It was meant to commemorate the French Resistance during World War II. It just happens to be over the tunnel where Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayedh were killed in an automobile crash in 1997. The Liberty Flame is now an unofficial shrine covered with notes, flowers and prayers to the dead princess.

If you’ve had enough running, here’s a good place to take the metro Alma Marceau back to your hotel. But if you want to continue, head down the avenue Marceau. It’s one of the streets off of place de l’Alma. It’s less than one mile on avenue Marceau to the Arc de Triomphe.

At the Arc de Triomphe, twelve avenues pour into the circle around the Arc. There’s an observation deck providing one of the greatest views of Paris down the Champs-Élysées.

Tired? If so, here’s a good place to take the métro Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile back to your hotel. But if you want to continue, head down the Champs-Élysées.

The Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous in the world. At avenue Winston-Churchill you can gaze at the recently renovated Grande and Petit Palais.

Continue down the Champs-Élysées until you reach the huge place de la Concorde.

At the end of your run, admire the huge place de la Concorde. In the center of these 21 acres stands the Obelisk of Luxor, an Egyptian column from the 13th century covered with hieroglyphics. It was here that Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were guillotined during the French Revolution.

Here, you’ll end your run/walk of the great sights of Paris!