Walks & Routes: walking, cycling and running itineraries around Hôtel R de Paris

From République, follow Canal Saint-Martin along its locks, wrought-iron bridges and painted façades. Stop at Artazart bookshop and the Hôtel du Nord (made famous by Arletty's film), then continue to the Bassin de la Villette.

From the hotel, a 22 km bike loop passing through the Palais-Royal and the Louvre, Rue de Rivoli with its cycle lane, Notre-Dame de Paris (reopened after restoration), the Île de la Cité, the Marais, Place des Vosges and the Grands Boulevards.

21 km from the hotel. Louvre, left bank Seine riverbanks, Pont de l'Alma, Île aux Cygnes (river island footbridge, Statue of Liberty replica, Eiffel Tower views), Trocadéro, Arc de Triomphe, Parc Monceau, back to hotel. Half-marathon distance.

The Marais brings together private mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries, the Place des Vosges (1612), designer boutiques, art galleries, and the food shops of Rue des Rosiers. The Musée Carnavalet has free admission.

A flat path along the Seine. From the hotel, head to Concorde then follow the riverbanks as close to the water as possible. The Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III come into view along the way. A 12 km return trip, doable on Vélib'.

Hilly route. Via Pigalle and Canal Saint-Martin, reach Parc des Buttes-Chaumont — a former gypsum quarry developed by Napoléon III: cliffs of around twenty metres, 9 ha lake, Temple of the Sibyl at the top, suspension bridges. Inner loops: 40 m elevation gain per lap. Continue to Parc de Belleville, panoramic view over Paris, descent to République.

A walk through the 8th and 17th arrondissements, along Haussmann-era façades and the church of Saint-Augustin. The Parc Monceau, surrounded by private mansions, and the Musée Jacquemart-André are both on the route.

The Bois de Boulogne covers 846 hectares to the west of Paris, accessible from Porte Maillot by Vélib' (around 25 min from the hotel). The park includes the Lac Inférieur with rowing boat hire, the Pré Catelan, the Jardin de Bagatelle and its rose garden. Open all year.

From the hotel via Parc Monceau and the Arc de Triomphe, then Avenue Foch (120 m wide) to Porte Dauphine. Enter the Bois de Boulogne: 846 ha of urban forest, sandy equestrian paths, the Lower Lake, cascades. About 45 minutes' running from the hotel to reach the forest. Return via Arc de Triomphe and Monceau.

From the hotel, head to the Galeries Lafayette (free rooftop with 360° views over Paris and the Opéra Garnier), the Opéra Garnier and its dome, then Place Vendôme and the boutiques of Rue Saint-Honoré. Allow up to 4 hours including breaks and shopping.

From the hotel, head down to Concorde then take the cycle path along Quai d'Orsay, facing the museum (a Beaux-Arts former railway station with its monumental clock). Continues past the Invalides esplanade with its gilded dome, the Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower. Return via Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Pont des Arts. Around 10 km circuit on the left bank.

Flat route. Rue de Clichy to the Palais Garnier (Second Empire sculpted façade), Rue de la Paix to Place Vendôme, clay paths through the Tuileries Garden with the Louvre Pyramid ahead. Return via Madeleine and Boulevard Haussmann. Early morning, streets are lightly used.

A Left Bank walk through literary cafés (Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots), historic universities, the Panthéon, and the Luxembourg Gardens. Saint-Germain-des-Prés brings together bookshops, galleries and cultural institutions.

The Bois de Vincennes covers 995 hectares to the east of Paris, accessible from Nation. It contains the Château de Vincennes (a preserved 14th-century medieval keep), Lac Daumesnil with its two islands and rowing boat hire, the Parc Floral with its themed gardens, and wide lawns.

Long loop from the hotel: Parc Monceau, Place de l'Étoile and Arc de Triomphe, descent to Trocadéro with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower, loop around the Champ de Mars, return via Pont Alexandre III, Concorde and Opéra Garnier.

From the hotel, head to the Grands Boulevards and their performance venues: Casino de Paris, Mogador, the Opéra, the Olympia, the Grand Rex. Best walked in the evening when the façades are lit up.

A cycle ride from the hotel via République, then along the tree-lined Quai de Valmy and Quai de Jemmapes. The Canal Saint-Martin has several locks and cast-iron bridges. It opens onto the Bassin de la Villette and the Parc de la Villette. On Sunday mornings, traffic is light.

10 km with 130 m elevation gain. Loop around Parc Monceau (anti-clockwise), Boulevard des Batignolles, climb up Rue Caulaincourt under the chestnut trees, Sacré-Cœur at the top, Place du Tertre, descent via Pigalle, back to hotel.