By Marnie Kunz, NASM-certified trainer, USATF- RRCA-certified run coach

If you’re looking for where to run in Paris, here is my tried and tested list of the best places to run in the City of Light, including, of course, where to find the best street art. Paris is an incredible city for art, running, food, architecture, history, and so much more. If you’re a runner, Paris offers plenty of scenic running spots and a great way to sightsee.

where-to-run-paris — Me after running the 20 km de Paris.

My history with France dates back to high school, when I was a French exchange student. Since then, I’ve been able to travel to Paris several times, and ran the 20 km de Paris, a beautiful Paris half marathon that begins and ends under the Eiffel Tower. Paris is one of my favorite cities and has so many iconic sites you can see on foot. It is one of the most beautiful cities to run in the world.

Where to Run in Paris

Here is my list of where to run in Paris for incredible views and inspiring miles:

Run Along the Seine River

Paris’ River Seine is a central gathering point for many Parisians, and the river offers beautiful running views. When you run along the banks of the Seine River, you’ll pass by almost every one of Paris’s major landmarks. You’ll run by the Eiffel Tower, Musee D’Orsay, The Louvre, Notre Dame, and more if you follow the Seine.

You’ll also be in good company as many people enjoy running along the Seine. Just be aware of your footing as some parts of the Seine River are paved with old cobblestones, so sometimes you may have to slow down to a light jogging pace.

Seine River Running Route: Start at Notre Dame and head east on Ile La Cite over the bridge to Ile St. Louis. Run across the bridge over to the north side, called the Right Bank. Then run west along the river, passing landmarks such as the Louvre, Jardin de Tuileries, and the Modern Art Museum. Once you reach Jardins du Trocadero, cross the Pont d’Iéna, over to the Left Bank. Head back east along the river.

Run By the Eiffel Tower

If you want to get close up to the Eiffel Tower on your run, head to Champ de Mars, a beautiful green space alongside the Eiffel Tower. The park is a popular tourist destination due to its location next to the Eiffel Tower so go in the morning or at off-peak hours to hit the trails for the best running.

You can extend your route and hop onto the running path along the Seine River for more miles.

Running Paris Parks

Paris is full of gorgeous parks, and chances are, there is a park near where you are staying.

Jardin Du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg is one of my favorite parks in Paris, and it has nice flat, soft paths for running. The park, located in the 6th arrondissement between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, features incredibly beautiful French and English gardens, statues and the gorgeous Luxembourg Palace. The Jardin du Luxembourg - or Luxembourg Gardens - includes 23 hectares, or about 57 acres, of pristinely manicured land.

Jardin Des Tuileries

The popular Jardin des Tuileries is conveniently located between the iconic Louvre and the Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement, perfect for an unforgettable Paris run. Just head out early to beat the tourists as the Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. There is a 2.6-kilometer loop around the garden to run on, ideal for beginners or a relaxed run. You can soak in the scenery with the majestic fountain and surrounding gardens at Jardin des Tuileries.

You can extend your route by running to the Champs-Élysées, and in doing so you’ll see another major tourist attraction with the iconic luxury shops along the historic street.

Bois De Boulogne

Bois de Boulogne is a sprawling public park in the western part of the 16th arrondissement of Paris. It is the second largest park in Paris after Bois de Vincennes and is about two and a half times the size of Central Park in New York City. Althought it’s the second largest park, Bois de Boulogne is often ranked as the most popular park for runners for all the greenery and trails. The park is also at the end of the Paris Marathon course.

The park includes 35 miles (56 km) of running and bike trails. For a serene 5K, you can run around Lac Inferieur and Lac Superieur.

Street Art Running in Paris

Paris has a long history of being an international center of art, and the art extends to the streets as well, with stunning murals and street art all over the city. If you want to run by beautiful Paris street art, check out the 13th arrodissement’s epic mural project with over a dozen murals by world famous artists like Shepard Fairey and Faile Art. The whole project is called Street Art 13.

In the east of Paris, the districts of Oberkampf, Belleville and Ménilmontant are rich in street art. Every two weeks, a new artist is invited to paint a new mural in a space on a level with 107 Rue Oberkampf (11th), which offers a popular artistic show for onlookers.

If you like scavenger hunts, check out the FlashInvaders, an app where you can earn points for spotting and photographing the many Invader murals around Paris. Invader is a Paris-based artist who places retro looking video game styled tile art around Paris and the world. Think old-school Pac-Man meets tile art. Look up in Paris and chances are you will see an Invader piece within a few blocks.

Paris Running Safety

Paris is a bustling city and it’s important to follow some basic safety procedures when running in any city. Obey traffic signals and wait for the right of way to run across streets. Also, plan out your running route so you know where you’re going. You may want to use Google Maps or enter your route in MapMyRun or another run mapping app so you can reference the map if needed on your run. If you are new to Paris, running around a park is a great way to get in your workout without having to worry about street directions.

If you do get lost and need to ask for help, most people in Paris speak English and will be happy to assist you if they can. If you run with your phone, you can always call for help or get an Uber back to your hotel if needed.

Check out my running safety tips for more ways to stay safe when running.

Explore Paris Running

Paris is a bustling city and an international travel destination renowned for its beautiful architecture and rich history, and everyone has their favorite haunts they find in Paris. Where are your favorite places to run in Paris? Comment below or tag us on the Runstreet Instagram to share your favorite runs and get cheered on.

Paris Running Tours

For a customized, guided running tour of Paris with personalized recommendations, check out our friends at Paris Running Tours. I had the pleasure of running with the founder Jean-Charles on my last trip to Paris and he is so knowledgeable and passionate about Paris history and running, and you will have an amazing experience.

Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.

Where to Run in Paris: An Insider's Guide