A little pause on the Pont des Arts during our long run

On the Pont des Arts

 9:30 AM - With Lotte, from Brussels, Belgium, we did a two hours tour, having the opportunity to cross the river Seine six times to widely explore the left and right banks, running also on the two islands, starting near La Bastille going through the Luxembourg garden, crossing the Alma bridge far from La Bastille and coming back admiring many famous places (Champs Elysees, Opera, Notre Dame, Place des Vosges...)
Merci Lotte!

About the Seine, do you know how the Parisians measure the level of the Seine and the risk of flood?
They use the statue of the Zouave of the Pont de l'Alma as you can see in the picture below.

Le Zouave du Pont de l'Alma

Actually, the Zouave of the Alma bridge does not seriously serve to measure the flood level, the real scale is installed on the "pont de la tournelle".
See also the Pont de l'Alma in 1910 (old one) with the flood:

1910 - The flood at the old Pont de l'Alma (from the left bank)

By the way, you can compare the present level in the picture of the Arts bridge above with Lotte and the same picture last August here (see the tunnel left bank).

The route of the tour (21 km/~13 miles):

Precocious winter in the Champs-Elysées with Karine

Champs-Elysées - Karine

7:30 AM - Minus 6°C (21°F) this morning! Paris is already prepared and ready to celebrate the end of year festivities, adding cold weather and snow to the program to be in the good mood... So, with Karine from Montreal, we started with the firm intention to do a quick warm up, running through the heart of Paris from the Palais Royal through the Champs-Elysees. Cold? Us? Never! As long as we run!

Alice, a journalist from RFI (Radio France Internationale) ran with us. Her radio report talks about all the original ways to visit a city like Paris. We think Paris Running Tour is definitely one! :^) You can hear the radio report here (in French).
Merci Karine, merci Alice!

About the Champs-Elysées:
The Avenue of the Champs-Elysées is called "The most beautiful avenue in the world", you know that, but do you know what "Champs-Elysées" stands for?
In the Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields ("Champs-Elysées" in French) were the place where the blessed dead, the heroic or virtuous souls go.
The nearby Elysée Palace is the residence of the French President, for which reason "l'Élysée" is frequently a metonym for the French Republic presidency.

The route of the tour: 

Early start with Sonia through the 7th arrondissement

6:28 AM With Sonia, from Munich, Germany, we started from the Montparnasse district. In Paris for business, running in the early morning is a good way to enjoy the city. It is a pity being in a city for a business trip with no time to see around... Sight-jogging could be a good solution. So, we started Boulevard Pasteur to join the Invalides, went along the river Seine and got back to the hotel through the "Quartier Latin" (Latin quarter). In a good shape to start a meeting! Merci Sonia!

On our way:
Have you seen the film "Inception"? You surely remember the scene when the city was folding! We ran very near the place where the scene was shot, enjoying the Hausmannian style of the buildings of the 7th arrondissement (one of the richest district of Paris). Compare the film picture and the Google streets view below:

You can enlarge the map -> Here

The route of the tour: 

Clicking, your can display Sonia's route on a bigger map

Along the Canal with Jannicke in a sunny and cool morning

Place de la Bastille - Colonne de Juillet - Jannicke

7:57 AM With Jannicke from Oslo (Norway), we started from "Le Marais" district and went to the canal St-Martin by the "place de la République", then reached the "place de la Bastille" and the Arsenal Marina, a yachting harbor, with several house barges floating on the quiet water.
We enjoyed running in the cold morning (around +3°C, for October, a relatively cold temperature in Paris), went around the "place des Vosges" and then finished along the bank of the river Seine a few meters from the Notre Dame cathedral with a nice rising sun. Merci Jannicke!

On our way:
On the "Place de la Bastille" stands the "Colonne de Juillet" (the July Column).
The monument commemorates the Revolution of 1830 (and not the 1789 one), the "three glorious" days in July 1830 that saw the beggining of the "July Monarchy" of Louis-Philippe (and the fall of Charles X of France)
This column, with "Le Génie de la liberté" (The Spirit of Freedom) at the top, is inspired from the Trajana Column in Rome. Another Column in Paris is also inspired from the Roman Column, visible in the centre of the "Place Vendôme", with this time, dressed as a Roman Emperor, Napoleon at the top!

We already talked about the Bastille, see there.

The route of the tour:

You can display Jannicke's tour on a bigger map

Left bank, at the level of the ancient city with James

On the left bank - Notre-Dame - James

10:02 AM - With James, from Chicago, starting on the Island of Saint Louis, we ran on the centre of Paris finishing on the left bank of the river Seine, at the level of the ancient city...

As us (James and the Paris Running Tour team), if you are interested by the Roman Lutecia (name of Paris at the Gaul and Roman periods), at the foot of Notre Dame, you must visit the Archaeologic Crypt (just under the square of Notre Dame). You will find the ruins of the Roman constructions and many information on how Paris evolved in time.

Some information here (in French) and a brochure (in English) here. 

Go there! Merci James!

The route of the tour:

Display James'tour on a bigger map

Modern art in Paris with Ginger and Ryan

Ryan and Ginger - Chestnut trees and modern art in the garden of the Tuileries

7:59 AM With Ginger and Ryan from Austin, Texas, we had a 2 hours tour. Ginger and Ryan are preparing their first marathon, Saint Jude Memphis Marathon, beginning of December. We started from the Arc of Triumph, ran on the Avenue Foch (Finish of the Paris Marathon), went along the "Bois de Boulogne" lake, went back to Paris and finished the tour by the Champs Elysees (Start of the Paris Marathon!).

On our way, crossing the Tuileries garden, we had the opportunity to enjoy some modern creations of the Contemporary Art International Exhibition (in French, FIAC, Foire Internationale d'Art Contemporain) which takes place every end of October. See the FIAC here and the Tuileries garden part here.

Thank you Ginger and Ryan! Enjoy your first marathon!

The route of the tour:

You can display Ginger and Ryan's tour on a bigger map

Paris Arts and Cultural News: A journey with Monet

Monet - Nympheas - Orangerie

Running, running, running... We love to run, and especially in Paris, you already know that.

But it is also our duty to give news about Arts and culture in Paris, so in addition to the posts about our nice sight jogging in Paris and also about Paris running competitions, we would like to give you some news about Arts and Culture in Paris.
While running, we cross so many museums and places of art exhibitions...

So, here is a new rubric: Paris Arts and Cultural News!

This autumn, Paris celebrates Monet! If you have the opportunity to come to Paris, you should really see the Monet Exhibition in the Grand Palais (until the 24th of January 2011). We also strongly recommend the virtual journey proposed by the Grand Palais.

Many Paris museums also have temporary and permanent expositions of Monet Painting, among them, the Marmottan Museum, and the Orangerie, where you can see the famous Nympheas...

And why not combining those visits with some Paris sightjogging with Paris Running Tour? Pourquoi pas ? ;-)

Paris Competitions News: 10/10/10 10h => 20 km de Paris

20 km de Paris - Start

This Sunday will see another release of the 20 km of Paris. We will be there.

Recently, Debbie told us Melbourne will have its marathon. Chicago, Bruxelles, Munich, Bueno Aires, Ottawa, Poznan, Eindhoven also will welcome their marathon... Probably many other competitions this Sunday too...
10/10/10, a good day for running all over the world!

Very early with the Parisian Statue of Liberty on our way

Debbie - With the Statue of Liberty on the "Ile aux cygnes", Paris

5:57 AM - With Debbie, from Melbourne Australia, we started very very early coming from the "far south-west" of Paris, running all along the river Seine to join the Trocadero place, cross the Iena bridge, go under the Eiffel tower, run on the Champ de Mars and then go back to the hotel going through the 15th arrondissement (French for district) by the famous "rue du Commerce".

On our way, we saw the Statue of Liberty, a small version of the New-York one.

Do you remember the Roman Polansky film, "Frantic"? At the end, Harrison Ford completely lost in Paris, just kidnapped, laying in a barge, opens his eyes and sees above him the Statue of Liberty... "Where am I now?! ..."

Thank you, Debbie!

The route of the tour:

You can display Debbie's tour on a bigger map

Going fast all along the river and through "Les Halles"

Devon - Les Halles - Eglise Saint-Eustache

7:01 AM - With Devon, coming from New-York, we ran at a fast pace, without taking into account the little rain we had in Paris this Monday morning.

We followed the river most of the time, to finish by the Halles and the street of Rivoli.

Thank you, Devon!

Les Halles was the traditional central market of Paris. The big iron and glass buildings, created by Victor Baltard in the 19th century (we said "Les Halles de Baltard") were destroyed in 1971 to let the place to the "Forum des Halles" in 1977, a giant mall, partially underground.

Forum des Halles

The route of the tour:

You can display Devon's tour on a bigger map

Paris Competitions News: A sunny October Sunday for competitions...

This Sunday, October 3rd, was a sunny day in Paris. A good day to compete...

Three 10K races in Paris or near, one in Neuilly (a rich city in the west of Paris), one in the Bois de Vincennes (the forest in the east of Paris) and one in the center of Paris called "les 10K Paris Centre". This one is a very nice competition to run on the middle of the most beautiful streets of Paris. More than 2000 runners. Start: Avenue de l'Opera, End: Place du Palais Royal - The Louvre.

The route

Two of our coaches were there (as fans of Paris and running, they had to be there): one on the podium (veteran), the other one, just behind. Next time: October 2011. Be there!
(Photos of the competition here.)

From the Grande Arche to the Arc of Triumph

From the new "Grande Arche de La Defense" to the old "Arc de Triomphe" with Amy

6:30 AM - With Amy, coming from Chicago, we started very early, leaving the quarter of the Defense, the bigger business center in Europ, to join the "Place de l'Etoile" where stands the "Arc de Triomphe", going through a part of the historical axe of Paris.

At the end, a statue of Cesar cheered us with a "well done!":

Thank you Amy!

The route of the tour:

You can display Amy's tour on a bigger map

A sunny morning with Sarah

Sarah running on the "Esplanade of the Invalides"

7:30 AM - Sarah just arrived from Ohio. This Saturday morning, the summer was ending and the air was a little bit chilly, but fortunately the sun was with us on the tour. On our way, among the nice places of Paris we saw, we went by the Rodin museum. The museum is inside a park where you can admire some famous creations of the sculptor. On our route, outside, from the street, we could see the "Thinker", very well-known statue.
Thank you Sarah!

The route of the tour:

You can display Sarah's tour on a bigger map

From Palais-Royal to the Eiffel tower with Julie

Under the Eiffel tower - Bettina (journalist), Julie and Jean-Charles (D.R.)

7:30 AM - Julie, from New-Zealand, travelling in Europ, chose to begin her stay in Paris by a running tour. Bettina, journalist from the German newspaper Spiegel Online, ran with us to do a report on one of our tours. You can see the article and photos here (in German).
Thank you Julie and Bettina!

The route of the tour:

You can display Julie's tour on a bigger map

A nice long tour with Brenda and Kevin

On the "Pont des Arts"

8:15 AM - A very long and nice tour with Brenda and Kevin. Let them speak:

Here's our testimonial for your blog:

We visited Paris in August 2010, and it was our first time there.  We were training for the New York City marathon and wanted to combine a training run with a running tour around the sights of Paris.  We contacted Paris Running Tours and they arranged for Jean-Charles Sarfati to take us on a 23 km running tour of Paris.  Jean-Charles came to our hotel, where we started our run.  He had organized a customized tour/run, whereby he included all the major sights around the centre of Paris.  It was fantastic!  He told us historical facts about the places we saw and was more than patient to stop, explain and take pictures anywhere we wanted.

We saw Place des Vosges, Bastille, Pont d'Austerlitz, Jardin des Plantes, Arenas de Lutece, Pantheon, Jardin de Luxembourg, Senate, Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Germain, Louvre, Tuileries, National Assembly, Invalide, Champs de Mars, Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Canadian Embassy, Grand Palais, Concorde, Madeleine, Place Vendome, Opera, Palais Royale, Colbert and Vivienne Galleries, Les Halles, Notre Dame, Hotel De Ville, Pompidou Centre, and Archives.

Inside "La Galerie Colbert" (The guard at the entrance said: "Walking only" !)

It was the best experience during our time in Paris, and Jean-Charles made it extra-special!  We have definitely recommended it to all our friends.  Thank you, Paris Running Tours.

Brenda and Kevin W.

Calgary, Alberta CANADA

 Thank you Brenda and Kevin!

The route of the tour:

You can display Kevin and Brenda's tour on a bigger map

Opera, Eiffel tower, Le Louvre… Keeping pace with Melanie

Melanie - Eiffel tower

7.00 AM – This Saturday in the middle of August was a very quiet day in Paris. Melanie came from Australia to visit and was happy to do her first run in Paris. We tried to keep the pace, finally doing nearly 12K in 1h05. So we are confident that Melanie will reach less than 1h for the 12K race she will run soon, even though we rested a little during our pauses to enjoy Paris and take pictures…

Thank you Melanie!

The route of the tour:

You can display Melanie's tour on a bigger map

Climbing to the Butte Montmartre to see the view from the Sacré Coeur early in the morning

Paris from the Sacré-Coeur

6.30 AM – Early in the morning to enjoy the light of the awaking city from the top.
Usually the Butte Montmartre is full of people. We had the Sacré Coeur (and the city) for us only. It was a great pleasure to run with a family so sports.
Thank you  Jennifer, Mark, Brett and Alyssa!

The Moulin Rouge on our way...

Climbing to Montmartre...

The route of the tour:

You can display the tour on a bigger map

Matignon, Ecole Militaire, Champ de Mars, Eiffel tower, Palais de l’Elysée, Louvre… Places of History and French institutions.

Dan - Elysée Palace

8.00 AM Where does the French Prime Minister reside? Where does the French President live? What is the meaning of the “Champ de Mars” and what did it serve for? What does “Elysees” refer to? Many questions we discussed with Dan still keeping a good pace. Thank you Dan!

The route of the tour:

You can display Dan's tour on a bigger map

Bastille, Ile Saint Louis, Ile de la Cité, Palais Royal, Les Halles…

Dilaver - Les Halles - Eglise Saint-Eustache

7.00 AM Dilaver lives in a very nice city in the South of France. He was preparing a famous race Marvejols Mende. We tried to conciliate the training and the visit (necessary pauses to take time to see and speed up at the end).

Thank you Dilaver!

On our route: La place de la Bastille (Bastille square)

You have probably heard about La Bastille and the famous storming of the Bastille, one of the major symbol of the French revolution, which occurred the on the 14th of July, 1789. Our Anglo-Saxon friends call the French National Day the Bastille Day. Actually, the French National Day refers to "La fête de la Fédération", another major event, which took place one year later in the park near the Eiffel tower, the "Champ de Mars". Soon, we will have the opportunity to talk about the "Champ de Mars"...

The route of the tour:

You can display Dilaver's Tour on a bigger map