Walking is a natural instinct that is a part of our lives and we tend to use this action to complete various activities. Tourism is an activity where one or many may go to experience a vacation full of activities or to seek relaxation. One of the most walkable tourist sites in all of the world is Paris. It is the place where the most astounding cities one will ever visit in their lifetime. From the Eiffel Tower to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, there is an exclusive amount of landmarks to visit all within walking distance. Also known as the City of Light and of Romance, the city is meant for walking and due to the size of the city and how accessible it is. Paris is not only great for exploring landmarks but is a great way to relax your body and mind and that is tourism by walking. Another reason to consider walking at a new location such as Paris is to be able to experience the many walking activities while on a tour. Walking is clearly the best way to experience a travel around a city because it allows you to visit the culturally important sites, experience new activities, and the health benefits associated with walking.
While in Paris, it is important to understand the historical and cultural surroundings. There is a variety of historical landmarks located in Paris all within walking distance. According to Francine Prose’s, ‘Paris at Your Feet’, “The walking travel is, by nature, a mildly humbling experience, asking us to declare ourselves sightseers, outsiders-and to abandon all hope of passing for locals” (30). Sandra Prose states this to justify how walking can make you a lot more interested in the landmarks and diversity at a new location. And in this case, it is Paris. Prose also gives us a detailed background of certain parts of Paris such as the Hotel de Sens and the Place des Vosges which is the former home of Victor Hugo, a very well-respected novelist, and poet. The detailed background of certain landmarks Prose highlighted is for us to understand the many cultural differences in Paris. Prose also begins to state how important and recommended it is to get a tour guide to experience the full impression of Paris. Along with the many tours and glorious sights, there will be a place for everyone to see.
Places like Paris will have more than enough activities to try while walking. One is meeting locals around the city, signing up for a tour, hiking ten or more miles on a mountain trail, there will be something for everyone to experience. Tour guides are known to be cultural ambassadors of their country and to represent it. Guides are extremely helpful when it comes to knowledge of a specific location. They are there to give knowledge of the history and culture associated with a certain spot in a city. Tours with guides usually include long walks to explain the extraordinary cities. In Paris, the most common activity by far is walking. When one goes on a vacation trip, they have the mindset to go try new activities or to take a break from work. When one takes a break off from work, they are then expected to try a new activity or to go meet locals. As stated in Sandra Block’s journal, traveling and going on walking tours is a great way to exercise your mind because they all provide activities that can calm one down such as tasting new food or meeting influencers in today’s society. This is an essential part of tourism because me as a consumer and traveler, I expected to be able to relax and be able to rest my mind. When I am able to go walking around a new city or location, I should be able to experience new activities.
Walking in a place like Paris is that it has physical and mental health benefits. Relaxation is defined as a place where people can enjoy their own free time. Francine Prose made this clear when she went on to explain how Paris can be a paradise for most people but it can be miserable for people who do not associate themselves with their surroundings so taking full advantage of this is a feat one may want to accomplish. According to Hood’s article on Wellness, she states, “There is a good deal of research supporting the health benefits of pursuits such as cycling, walking, digital detox and sleep”. When Hood explains that there are benefits to walking and activities alike, she means that one can do all of these to feel better about themselves and most importantly more relaxed. Later on in the article, she goes on to explain how traveling for escapism is a family’s main agenda. Travelers from other parts around the world such as India, Australia, Greece, Korea, and every other country travel to other cities or popular tourist locations to escape their everyday life. These people who escape usually go on to break out of their comfort zones and experience new cultures. One may go to the Luxembourg Garden to view this fascinating garden or visit the Place Dauphine, a very secluded area perfect for an afternoon picnic. It is also a way to develop relationships and to relax the mind. To top that off, it's also a symbol of status and can make me feel nomadic compared to others who have not been on such trips. Relaxation is almost achievable in almost any setting but it works best while walking. Prose suggests in her article, a walking tour provides a train of focus and brings a handful of emotions to change your mood. When Prose states, “The walking tour requires that one change focus-and slow down. On previous trips I’ve walked around the lovely arcades of the seventeenth-century”, she is explaining the few emotions from just walking around in France. Going to the arcade gives her an emotion in which she feels a lot more belonging to the setting. Later on in the article, she also explains how people take tours of Paris and many other cities, just so they can feel more belonging to the city. People walk across the city to try new restaurants and new spots to feel a whole new connection they would not have been before. These two articles connect well because of many examples of how one may go touring while walking, but to do this, you should travel and feel a sense of relief and well-being it gives.
Walking holds its clear benefits by exploring the many historical landmarks of the city, the many activities one can experience, and the mental and physical health benefits walking has. As mentioned above in the articles, it is concluded that the effects of walking while traveling in Paris can have positive effects for everyone.