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Walking and Biking in Paris

Paris is one of the most walkable cities in the world. When you take a stroll around the city you are bound to see Parisians and tourists alike. The arrondissements are fairly compact, making it It's fast and easy to make your way through Paris in just a few hours. The city is only about 33 square miles.

Walking Tours

There are many ways to walk around Paris. You can meander the city yourself and while you are sure to see something beautiful, you may not be able to understand any of the city's signage. Generally speaking, it is faster to walk one or two Metro stops than to get on the tram. Also, if you walk rather than go underground to take the Metro you may just walk past a great cafe or wonderful store. If you choose to take a walking tour you can try a self guided MP3 tour which can be found on iTunes. There are free tours given daily by Discover Walks and Paris Walks. In order to join one of these tours just show up at a designated spot before the tour starts. Generally these tour guides work for tips alone so be sure to show how much you enjoy the tour. If you choose to take a commercial tour of the city, it is likely you will have to pick what exactly you want to see. The options for tours are nearly endless and it is nearly impossible to fit everything into one tour.

Walks Along the Seine River

The Seine, which is the main river that runs through Paris can be a great place to go for a stroll. National Geographic has a tour that you can check out online that shows you all the great sights along the great river. If your trip falls on a Sunday you should walk the Seine then because the roads are closed for pedestrian traffic only. One of the most famous sights along the Seine is the Norte Dame Cathedral. This stunning church can easily be seen from the river. While you stroll the river be sure to check out the beautiful architecture of the bridges that crisscross the river.

Bike Rentals

Biking around Paris is a fairly safe activity although you should always use caution when biking in a new city. The city has many parks to bike through as well as bicycle lanes designated specifically for cyclists. Buying a map of these routes is a good idea. Paris, like many cities all over the world, is now offering a bike share program. Whether you want to ride for one day or one week, the public bike share program known as Vélib’ is a great option. There are almost 2,000 stations from which you can rent a bike. No advanced reservations are required and you can take out, or return a bike 24 hours a day. If you prefer a different type of bicycle you may decide to rent a bike from a shop rather than the Vélib’ program. Shops will offer more selection, but it s a good idea to call in advance. Two options of shops are Velo Paris and Hollandbikes. You can also rent from a tour company, Bike About Tours. They sell bike maps, which are highly recommended.

Bike Tours

If you want to cycle around Paris but aren't quite sure the safest way to do it, try a bike tour. One company, Fat Tire Bike Tours, is aimed towards English speaking tourists. They offer tours during the day and at night, as well as specialized tours such as wine tasting and day trips to the beach. Bike About Tours are a great option if you are traveling with a large group or with a family. They offer private group and family tours as well as general group tours around Paris.

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Walking and Biking in Paris