Paris intra-muros (inside the ring road) is surprisingly small. It's roughly 10km across. You can walk from the Louvre in the center to the edge of the city in about 90 minutes. Therefore, relying too heavily on the Metro often means missing the city.

The Myth of Distance

Looking at a Metro map distorts scale. For example, the distance from Odéon to Saint-Germain-des-Prés is one stop on Line 4. Taking the metro involves stairs, waiting, and corridors, taking 10 minutes. Walking above ground takes 5 minutes.

Distance Estimator

The Flâneur

The concept of flânerie—strolling aimlessly to observe the city—is native to Paris. The layout of Haussmann's boulevards combined with narrow medieval streets creates a constantly shifting perspective designed for pedestrians.

Related Guides & Resources

Explore our full documentation: Bistros, Navigo, Museums, Districts, Weather, Cafes, Walking, Wine, Protests, Sundays, Haussmann Architecture, Scams, Boulangeries, Etiquette, and Parks. Looking for basic routing? Check our Homepage for an overview.