Paris: Latin Moves

Paris
Latin Moves
Distance: 3.5 miles, a little over 5 km
Start and Finish: Denfert-Rochereau Métro Station

This is a nice short loop to end a busy work or sightseeing day. It takes you into the latin quarter which again is filled with places to tempt you for where you'd like to eat your post workout dinner. It is a bit touristy but full of friendly, funky, diverse people on every corner. In the evenings you can hear the music from the restaurants to accompany your run, and if you're lucky there will even be some street musicians playing you a personal workout soundtrack!

- Start at the Denfert-Rochereau Métro Station, which is wear the Catacombs also lie and you will see a lion statue in the center of the road as well. Run north(ish) towards the rover on Avenue Denfert-Rochereau.
- Take the left road when you come to the fork. This will cross Blvd de Port-Royal and turn into Blvd Saint-Michel. Take that all the way to the water and turn around.
- Follow the same path all the way back but when you reach the Catacombs, make a right up Raspail and again onto Rue Victor Considérant.
- Take a left on Rue Boulard for a few blocks and then a left on Rue Ernest Cresson. From there make a left on Ave. du General Leclerc and you will return to start.

Posted by Landracer

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

Bordeaux: Three Sources of Water to Pass

Bordeaux
Three Sources of Water to Pass
Distance: about 4.3 miles, almost 7km
Start and Finish: Place des Quinconces

The fountain, the pool, the river. If you have no time for anything else in Bordeaux, there are three things that have to be seen before you leave. The first is the fountain at the base of the Monument to the Girondins and the Republic. The incredible thing about it besides the incredible details of the statues, is that it was originally destined like many metal statues in France, to be melted down to be shipped to the Germany Army in WWII. The pieces were so enchanting though, someone at the warehouse hid them away in storage so that they would be spared. It wasn't until 1985 though, that the city was able to fully restore it to its original grandeur. The next is the Garonne River which Bordeaux sits on one of its sensuous bends and so this run goes right along side it. The third, is the reflecting pool called the "Water Mirror" because as its water drains, it begins to reflect the entire 18th century Stock Exchange building. After the water is completely drained, a surprise is in store for you that you have to experience first hand. Take a break from the run to stand in the middle of the pool and see what happens!

- Starting at the Place des Quinconces, check out the fountain, then run north towards the main road, Cours de Verdun and turn right. At the fork in the road, take Cours Balguerie-Stuttenberg.
- Turn right on Cours de Médoc and take a right to run down the river side. You'll see the reflecting pool on your right but keep going and go across the bridge and back before stopping.
- From the reflecting pool continue back until the steps on the left that return back to the plaza with the fountain.

Posted by G8rGrl

Bordeaux: For Flower Lovers

Bordeaux
For Flower Lovers
Distance: Runner's Choice
Start and Finish: Jardin Public

For the small size of the city, Bordeaux must know some wonderful secrets about horticulture. Delicate flower beds are everywhere. Luckily, one of the best gardens in town is also located at a great place to run. The Jardin Public of Bordeaux covers over 12 hectares filled with energetic landscaping, a small lake with islands to cross onto, and a botanical garden. It's the perfect place for peace and quiet after long days of heavy wine drinking! The hard sand trails will leave your knees much happier then the usual concrete that you pound them on. There are even some convenient toilets so you have no more excuses not to do that extra lap, and a cafe that opens on the southwest corner in the late afternoons. Just watch out that the ducks don't nip at your ankles while you run.

- The park is 3/4 mile around and about 1/4 mile if you run up the middle to the other side, so run as many laps as fits your workout for the day.
- If you want to go a little further and see more flower, take Rue Ferrére out from the park to the river and take a right all the way until the misting reflecting pool. On the other side of it there are some more beautiful flower beds to enjoy. It's about another 3/4 miles to that point.
- Or take Rue David Johnston from the park, make a left on Blvd. du President Wilson, and a right on Ave. Carnot to get to the Parc Bordelais. It's a little over 1 mile from one park to the other.

Posted by RunnerGirl5

Lyon: Up and Down, Not for the weak-of-knees!

Lyon
Up and Down, Not for the weak-of-knees!
Distance: 5.70 miles
Start: Place Carnot
Finish: Bellcour Métro Station.
Elevation Range: 133m

The good news is that Lyon has spectacular lookout points to view the city. Now for the bad news. To get to them on your run, means working those buns (and thighs and calves and possibly being sore for a couple of days afterward) up a 133m climb! Lyon was first occupied by the Guals but later built up by the Romans on what is called the Fourviére hill. Now the city extends between the Rhone and Soane rivers below but this run takes you up to the old ruins so that you can imagine how incredible it must have been for the people living there with their theaters overlooking the landscape for miles. The Fourviére is also known as "the praying hill" since numerous congregations over the centuries have set up their religious structures there. You won't be able to miss the Basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary at the top of the hill. It too has a nickname; the "upside-down elephant." You'll have to see why this is so for yourself. Eventually what goes up, must come down and so your relieved knees will find the run along the river after a steep descent, a much needed relief. The photograph above is of the first bridge that you will cross before starting the incline.

- Start at Place Carnot and run towards the Soane river and take a right along the water. You'll see a bridge (the one pictured) at the end of Rue Sala. Take it across the river and run along the other bank until Rue Octavio Mey.
- Take a left there and another left on Montée Saint-Barthélemy to start your climb. Make a right on Rue Cléberg and a right on Rue Pauline-Marie Jaricot.
- Take a right on Cardinal Gerlier and a left at the fork on Montée de l'Observance. Follow that winding all the way down to Rue Saint-Pierre de Vaise. You should be able to see the river again to the right. Run to the river and turn right to run along it.
- Follow the river all the way to Pont de la Feuilée, which is where you turned to head up the hill. Cross the bridge and run along the river again until Rue de la Barre.
- There, take a left and you will end up at the Bellcour metro station.

Posted by BobRun

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