BEST ACTIVE THINGS TO DO IN PARIS
There are a ton of active things to do in Paris which are often overlooked since Paris is famous for having so many cultural activities. But this is starting to change as more and more people discover that Paris offers more than just museums and delicious food!
We’ve compiled a solid shortlist of the best active things to do in Paris including a ton of outdoor activities. From parkour classes, horse riding , indoor rock climbing to simply walking around.
Note that if you’re interested in gyms or other fitness activities we have a separate shortlist covering this along with another dedicated to tennis and golf and yet another focused on billiards and bowling.
BOATING
MARIN D’EAU DOUCE
Starting at 40 euros an hour, you can hire (rent) a small electric powered boat for 5 people from Marin D’Eau Douce and take it along the Seine river across Paris. You have to pick up the boat from Bassin La Villette (see map) and work your way out of the canals. They also have hundreds of locations across France including a few just outside of Paris. They offer a variety of tariffs depending on the size of boat and length of time. And while their boats don’t go very fast, they are safe and comfortable. The best part is that you don’t need a boating license to use one! Marin d’Eau Douce are open 7 days a week however closed during the winter months.
ROW-BOATING AT A PUBLIC PARK
Both the Bois Boulogne park west of Paris and the Vincennes park in the east of Paris have impressive lakes which you can explore in a good old fashioned row boat. We like the lake at Bois de Boulogne in particular since there is an island in the middle with a lovely restaurant called Le Chalet des Iles. Note that boats are only available during the warmer months, from mid February until end of October (10am to 6pm). Prices start at 13.80 euros.
Barques du Bois Boulogne Yelp page
WALKING & BIKING
SEINE RIVER
Few cities in the world could ever rival Paris’s beauty. Tourists just know the city center but there are hundreds of amazing neighborhoods and even suburbs to explore. If you’re new to Paris we recommend starting smack in the middle by taking a gingerly stroll or bike ride along the Seine river. To be specific, you cant go wrong walking in and around the two islands of Saint Louis and Ile de la Cite where you can find many historic buildings such as La Conciergerie or the Musee d’Orsay as well as breathtaking views. Walking along the side way or below at dawn or dusk will instill a magical feeling. We also recommend taking at night e.g. after a nice dinner when you can see the Eiffel Tower and other buildings lit up. Just be warned – you may discover some cool things along the way and get sidetracked!
LE MARAIS & LATIN QUARTER
The small streets of the Marais and Latin Quarter are full of beauty and charm. While some streets can be a bit touristy, there are plenty of hidden gems such as covered walkways, unique shops and even some small parks to explore. You could for instance walk over to the Marais from Les Halles or Bastille and stumble upon the Place de Vosges, a beautiful park that was built in 1600s as one of the first public squares in Europe! Then you can head south by crossing Saint Louis island. There are plenty of corners to explore around the Sorbonne university, loads of history, and even glimpses of medieval Paris as evidenced by some surviving architecture. One of the little known hidden gems in Paris is an ancient Roman arena (Arenes de Lutece)! Just be careful biking during busy hours!
PARKS
The Bois de Boulogne is a massive park to the West of Paris while Vincennes is a massive park in the Southeast. Both are so big they are referred to as forests and within them hold various point of interest. For instance the Paris Zoo and Vincennes Castle (an awesome medieval castle) are found in Vincennes, meanwhile the Bois de Boulogne is home to the famous Longchamp horse racing course and the Louis Vuitton Foundation museum. In central Paris there are a ton of smaller parks and public walkways, and we highly recommend Parc Monceau in the 17th or Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th. Both are full of interesting finds like follies and mini lakes.
You can even go for a foodie walking tour in Monmartre!
EXPLORING A ZOO
THE PARIS ZOO + LA MENAGERIE
The best thing about visiting a zoo is that you are outdoors most of the time and burn calories as a result of walking around and exploring all the habitats. Not enough visitors come to the the Paris zoo but we highly recommend doing so since it’s not only impressive but also an excellent outdoor activity.
The Paris Zoo (Parc Zoologique de Paris) is one of the best in the world. Located in the southwest of Paris within the Vincennes park and accessible by metro (Porte Doree stop), it’s the biggest zoo in Paris. Like any world class zoo, they have all the animals you would expect to find such as lions, giraffes, elephants and zebras. The best thing about visiting a zoo is that you are outdoors most of the time and burn calories as a result of walking around and exploring all the habitats.
Meanwhile La Menagerie is an oasis within Paris and is the 2nd oldest zoo in the world. It is more centrally located than the Paris Zoo and therefore more convenient if you have a busy schedule. You could also visit the botanical gardens and the Natural History Museum next door. While the Menagerie is considered a micro zoo, it is surprisingly big, home to hundreds of animals including playful orangutans and gibbons. It’s clearly not as big as the Paris Zoo but you could spend half a day walking around learning about the 600 animals living here. The best part of this zoo is the original 19th century structures which give it a certain charm.
PARKOUR
PARIS PARKOUR
Parkour was invented in Paris in the 1980s by David Belle who wanted to practice athletics outdoors in a more free form format. There are currently a few groups which teach it in Paris including Paris Parkour. They offer weekly group classes which you can join on a trial bias for only 2 euros, depending on availability. Individual classes can be scheduled anytime. They usually train in the Parc de Bercy in the southeast of Paris but be sure to confirm the location in advance since you can parkour just about anywhere! Note that you will need to be relatively fit and have a doctor’s certificate of no less than a month to attend a class.
Parkour Paris website (in French)
CLIMB A MONUMENT
EIFFEL TOWER
Instead of taking the lift (elevator), you can take the stairs and walk up 674 steps to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. It’s not just a good work out, you actually get fresh air and can take in some amazing views while you’re doing it. You can also walk up the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur and a few other monuments but we believe walking up the Eiffel Tower is by far a more compelling experience!
Buy tickets to climb Eiffel Tower
ROCK CLIMBING
ARKOSE
Arkose is an awesome indoor climbing/bouldering club which also organises outdoor climbing sessions outside of Paris in places like the Fontainebleau forest (the birth place of rock climbing mind you!). There is an Arkose in central Paris, Nation, and four just outside of Paris: Pantin in the north, Issy in the southwest and Montreuil in the east, and Pont de Sevres in Boulogne Billancourt. Their instructors are excellent and their facilities are really solid: huge indoor space and even a cafe! You can sign up for a discovery “training session” with an instructor, and they offer all kinds of packages at monthly and annual rates + for different age groups.
Arkose official website – 1st timers
HORSE RIDING
HORSE HOLIDAYS FRANCE
Located in Maisons-Laffitte just to the west of Paris, Horse Holidays France offers tours on horseback around Maisons-Laffitte itself, known as the “city of horses”. They also organise rides in other locations such as the Vexin Forest and even on the grounds of the Chateau de Versailles! They offer something for all different levels including complete beginner “discovery walks”, which cost 95 euros.
SKYDIVING
SAUT EN PARACHUTE
Saut en Parachute runs from May to October and offer four drop zones north of Paris. While their website is only in French they speak good English and are very professional. It costs 260 euros for a tandem jump during the week, and note that weekend rates are a tad more.
Saut en Parachute website (in French)
POLO
CHANTILLY POLO CLUB
Yes, polo. Chantilly Polo Club (Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly) is located 40 minutes north of Paris in the beautiful town of Chantilly. It is one of the most famous polo clubs in the world and hosts several major events such as the Open de France. While most polo clubs of this caliber don’t offer classes let alone open their doors to non-members, Chantilly offers numerous options including private and group lessons to anyone. A two hour group lessons costs 130 euros and includes an hour of theory plus an hour on horseback.
If you’d rather hit the gym or sign up for a boxing or a crossfit class be sure to check out our shortlist of the best gyms and fitness clubs in Paris. And if you’re interested in tennis or golf, check out the best golf and tennis clubs in greater Paris. Or how about some billiards (pool) or bowling?
Finally, if you’re looking for a good deal, you can purchase the Paris City Card which includes a cruise along the seine via Bateaux Parisiens, Louvre museum access plus access to the Eiffel Tower and an audio guide (app). And if you have a kids or just looking for something a bit more relaxed, the Paris Family Fun Pass, which includes access to the Paris Zoo (world class and not to be missed!), Gallerie D’Evolution at the Natural History Museum (skip the line) and the Grevin Wax museum. Click below for more details!