Paris: The Bourgeois Marsh

Paris- the 3rd and 4th arrondissements
The Bourgeois Marsh
Distance: 4.2 miles, about 6.8 km
Start and Finish: Saint-Sébastien-Froissart Métro Station

This run goes through a district called Le Marais (The Marsh) on the right side of the river bank, which was cleared of its marshlands back in the 12th century. Today the area has a bustling Jewish community, with Jewish events going on, Jewish bookstores and restaurants that serve kosher foods; giving you lots of options for how to spend your "cool down." There are several fine and decorative art museums in the area, including the Picasso Museum, to notice along the way. The run takes you on to the Ile de la Cite, still considered by many as the heart of the city, so that you can pass the Notre Dame for a closer look, without waiting in the long lines. The Ile de la Cite is linked with both banks by the oldest bridge of Paris, the Pont Neuf, which isn't en route but can easily be added as a detour. In general a good run for an artistic eye for checking out hidden details in the streets of Paris that usually go unnoticed.

- Starting at the Saint-Sébastien-Froissart Métro Station, run south along Blvd. Beaumarchais, towards the river.
- At the Bastille roundabout, take Rue Lyon (more or less still straight from the direction you came from). On that, take your first right, on Blvd de la Bastille until Quai de la Rapée and take another right but one until the next intersection where you will turn around and head back the way you came and the way back the Bastille roundabout. This time go left on Blvd. Henri IV.
- Take a right, near the water, at Quai Henri IV/ Quai des Célestins until the Pont Maries and cross the water there to Saint-Louis Island. Take a right on the island until the Pont Saint-Louis bridge that will get you onto the Ile de la Cite. Follow the right side of the island and cross back to the mainland on Pont d'Arcole.
- Stay straight until the Hotel de Ville and take a right and follow that main road until the left turn for the Place des Vosges.
- Follow the street around the the right, passed the Victor Hugo house and take a right on Rue du Pas de la Mule. That will take you back to Blvd. Beaumarchais, which you follow back to the starting point.

Posted by Carl_4sho

Paris: River Run

Paris
River Run
Distance: 8 miles, 12.9km
Start and Finish: Bastille Métro Station
Elevation Range: 51m / 167ft

This is a beautiful run starting from Bastille, going 3.5mi south along the Seine, north to Arc de Triomphe, then back to Bastille along the Seine. In early evening, from along the water's edge, this run has spectacular views of the city that aren't usually seen from the busy streets above. You'll be able to see the Notre Dame from a point of view that usually only the locals take advantage of and pass by evening picnickers as they enjoy a good glass of wine to wind down the day.


- Starting at the Bastille Métro Station, take Blvd Henri IV down across the Pont de Sully. From there you'll find the pedestrian path that goes along the water on a lower level than the regular street.
- Follow the river all the way until the l'Alma bridge which is a little over 3 miles down. When you cross, take Av. Marceau north to the Arc.
- From there enjoy the downhill on the Champs-Elysées, through the park.
- At Place de la Concorde turn right towards the water again. Make a left at the water and follow the pedestrian path along the opposite side of the water until you get back to Blvd. Henri IV and return to the starting point.

Posted by joGaholic

Lyon: Simply Sunshine

Lyon
Simply Sunshine
Distance: Runner's Choice
Start and Finish: Runner's Choice

Lyon really is a pedestrian friendly town. There are car free places to roam throughout downtown and all along the two river banks. Along the Rhone's east bank there is a whole areas with playgrounds and picnic areas, even a skate park, for people to enjoy away from their motorized counterparts. Wherever you are staying in the city, run down to the rivers and enjoy the sunshine by running along the water's edge. There are some sections that don't have too much shade so be sure to hydrate, but there are also parts where the sidewalk is lined with Plane Trees that allow the sun to create shadows from the leaves that dance across the path. Make sure to check out the dinner boats too for later!

- Following the east bank of the Rhone from Av. Berthelot to the Parc de la Téte d'Or is 2.16 miles.
- There are plenty of paths in the Parc de la Téte d'O to run and explore and there is also a lake and a small zoo.
- The west bank of the Soane river is about 2 miles from the bridge at Rue Sala to Valmy Métro Station.

Posted by RunningMate124