In the south Paris suburbs, there are several wonderful parks for running, which can be done separately or combined for longer runs of various lengths. The highlight is Parc de Sceaux. Just to the west is the Vallée aux Loups park/arboretum. Can also add a linear park path and Parc Henri-Sellier. Our thanks to Jean-Charles of Paris Running Tours for this suggestion!
Parc de Sceaux. Translated as ‘Seal Park’, this is the must-do park for running in the southern Paris suburbs. It’s located in the commune of Sceaux and dating back to the 17th century, this is a classic European park, consisting of a the Château de Sceaux (now a museum), formal landscaped paths & gardens, and athletic facilities. The terrain is a combination of woods and open. Note: The park is free but has set hours.
For running, there are long, straight formal paths: It’s 1.7 km north-south — a highlight being the stretch along the Grand Canal — and 1.3 km east-west. A loop around the outer perimeter paths is ~5 km.
Coulée verte du Sud parisien (Linear Park). At the western edge of Parc de Sceaux, this linear park belt is a great way to add to your run. It’s a pleasant, narrow greenbelt that runs for 3.7 km from the Grande Voie des Vignes (good access from Parc Sceaux) north to Stade Pierre Semard @ Rue Blanchard. Follow the paved Coulée verte path.
Parc Vallée aux Loups. CC 2.5
Parc/Arboretum de la Vallée aux Loups. Located 1.3 km west of Parc Sceaux, this is another historic park, with themed gardens, an arboretum, and wooded paths. There are 2,500 plants in themed areas, and an arboretum that dates back to the 1700s. The eastern end is more open and the western end is more wooded. For running, the paths are sort of random, but it’s possible to put together 4-5 km. The park straddles the Plessis-Robinson & Châtenay-Malabry communes. Note: Set hours.
Parc départemental Henri-Sellier. Located just 0.6 km north of Vallée aux Loups, this is another lovely park for running. Its origins date to a castle in the 1400s, and it has been a public park since 1918. The landscape is mainly wooded. Running highlights include the ~0.5 km Esplanade du Plessis-Robinson at the eastern end of the park and the 0.5 km east-west path. A loop around the outer perimeter paths is ~2.5 km.
In the south Paris suburbs, there are several wonderful parks for running, which can be done separately or combined for longer runs of various lengths. The highlight is Parc de Sceaux. Just to the west is the Vallée aux Loups park/arboretum. Can also add a linear park path and Parc Henri-Sellier. Our thanks to Jean-Charles of Paris Running Tours for this suggestion!
Parc de Sceaux. Translated as ‘Seal Park’, this is the must-do park for running in the southern Paris suburbs. It’s located in the commune of Sceaux and dating back to the 17th century, this is a classic European park, consisting of a the Château de Sceaux (now a museum), formal landscaped paths & gardens, and athletic facilities. The terrain is a combination of woods and open. Note: The park is free but has set hours.
For running, there are long, straight formal paths: It’s 1.7 km north-south — a highlight being the stretch along the Grand Canal — and 1.3 km east-west. A loop around the outer perimeter paths is ~5 km.
Coulée verte du Sud parisien (Linear Park). At the western edge of Parc de Sceaux, this linear park belt is a great way to add to your run. It’s a pleasant, narrow greenbelt that runs for 3.7 km from the Grande Voie des Vignes (good access from Parc Sceaux) north to Stade Pierre Semard @ Rue Blanchard. Follow the paved Coulée verte path.
Parc Vallée aux Loups. CC 2.5
Parc/Arboretum de la Vallée aux Loups. Located 1.3 km west of Parc Sceaux, this is another historic park, with themed gardens, an arboretum, and wooded paths. There are 2,500 plants in themed areas, and an arboretum that dates back to the 1700s. The eastern end is more open and the western end is more wooded. For running, the paths are sort of random, but it’s possible to put together 4-5 km. The park straddles the Plessis-Robinson & Châtenay-Malabry communes. Note: Set hours.
Parc départemental Henri-Sellier. Located just 0.6 km north of Vallée aux Loups, this is another lovely park for running. Its origins date to a castle in the 1400s, and it has been a public park since 1918. The landscape is mainly wooded. Running highlights include the ~0.5 km Esplanade du Plessis-Robinson at the eastern end of the park and the 0.5 km east-west path. A loop around the outer perimeter paths is ~2.5 km.
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Essentials
Good train access to each of the parks from Paris (see park websites for details. All have free parking
The best places to run in this northwest Paris suburb known for the La Défense office buildings are 5 km of scenic paths along the Seine River, paths around Parc André Malraux, and a couple of good running tracks.
Located 17 km southwest of Paris, Versailles is a wealthy suburb known for its historic signing of treaties and stunning Chateau. Here, runners can enjoy the palace grounds, the Meudon Forest, and bike routes to the south in Saclay.
Saint Denis is a former industrial suburb situated 9 km due north of Paris. It’s known for its basilica and football team, but runners can find plenty of routes along the Canal Saint Denis and nearby parks.
On the banks of the Seine southwest of Paris, Issy Les Moulineaux is the heart of the French telecommunication and media industries. It’s also a lovely spot for a run, with a great selection of parks on and around the river.
In these northeast suburbs of Paris, combine a run in La Villete Park with the path along Canal de l’Ourcq, all the way to the grid-like trails of Parc forestier de la Poudrerie. Nearby Bondy Forest is an extensive park.
For those staying in one of the hotels near Charles de Gaulle Airport or the Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, there's some nice running in Parc de Sausett & Parc Robert Ballanger. Several km of trails through fields, landscaped gardens, & woodlands.
Quay paths on both sides of the the River Marne present a tranquil off-road, waterside run in the eastern Paris suburbs. We've mapped 18 km between Gournay-sur-Marne and Chennevières-sur-Marne. Connections to additional paths & parks.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a western suburb of France, and a worth-it destination for a run, between its 3,550 hectare Forest, grand grounds of the The Parc du Сhâteau, and nearby paths along the Seine.
Two great running routes in this wealthy suburb to the west of Paris are the Promenade Jacques Baumel path around an old fortress, and a 'Malmaison' run incorporating two parks, two Châteaus, and forest paths.
The signature route in this commune just west of the city center and across the Seine is the extensive Parc St. Cloud, which features gorgeous gardens, plus great paths and allées for running. Other good spots nearby.
Although Fontainebleau is nearly 60 km southeast of Paris center, runners will enjoy 300 km of marked paths in the massive Fontainebleau Forest, and the opulent grounds of the Château de Fontainebleau at the Forest's eastern end.
This area 20 km south of Paris features numerous parks and green spaces that are great for running. Enjoy a trot along the Orge, the circuit around the Lac Viry-Châtillon, or the Aqueduc de la Vanne mult-use path.
Located 45 km southwest of Paris, Rambouillet is a charming suburb and a wonderfully green area. Great running in the extensive Rambouillet Forest and the grounds of Château du Rambouillet and Gardens.
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Essentials
Good train access to each of the parks from Paris (see park websites for details. All have free parking
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