It makes me feel so special! What is that? Thinking back to the late 1960’s/early 1970’s, when I would come to Paris and run from my hotel to do loops around the la Tour Eiffel or routes through les Bois de Vincennes…and most days not see a single runner. It seemed that people looked at me like a Martian. Having the whole city to myself like that was pretty cool.
That IS special! Today you’d absolutely be sharing the road with tons of people, some still don’t know what they’re doing but at least have gotten more appropriate gear.
We stayed in Paris for a few months in 2013 before moving to Limoges—the (few) other runners would cheer for me when they saw me pushing a jogging stroller down rue du Commerce and around the Champ-de-Mars. “Bravo! Bravo!”
It's interesting to see what I have definitely noticed over all these years confirmed by a study. We live in Aveyron near a lot of trails, and when we first arrived in the 1990s we would only see people walking on them. Make that strolling. Now every evening there are mountain bikers, joggers, power walkers and serious-looking hikers. It's really a sea change.
If people are taking care of their health more seriously, it's definitely a good thing. I still await the day the chronic exercisers I see in Paris (who look very fit!) will stop smoking the second they leave the gym lol
Thank you for the article. I moved from Los Angeles last year and I've been surprised by the exercise culture here, in a good way! We could argue the fashion impact, but it's really lovely to see a mass of runners along the Seine on a sunny Saturday morning. Cheers to the good life!
Oooh, I'm so glad you unpacked this — it's such a striking change. I've never forgotten that when Inés de la Fressange, icon of chic, was asked about exercise by the NYTimes years ago, she replied: “I thought about doing it once.”
I lived in France for a decade, landing a few days after September 11. Almost 15 years after leaving, when I go back, I still am mesmerised at not seeing ballet flats in the street anymore, and seeing people head to work in baskets / tennis. I am still so shocked by this as it was just so frowned upon when I worked at La Défense. I understand things evolve and need to change but I will not and will still wear my ballerines to work even if 7000 kms away. And I will be considered the frenchie one where I live. How funny and bizarre! I know it's not the subject, but don't even get me started on people having switched books in the metro for their phones...
That's another can of worms! There are days when I feel hopeful because more people are reading the paper and physical books and then the next, tech neck everywhere. Disheartening!
I think Europe is sometimes ahead of the latest fitness trend compared to the U.S. For example, last March, I tried Hyrox for the first time while I in Paris at a boutique studio. I went to the class not really knowing what it was (my mistake). Less than a year later, all I see is Hyrox taking over the U.S.
I would be curious if there's a correlation between the French who have given up smoking and taken up Hyrox (or running). Because as a nonsmoker and someone who goes to the gym regularly, Hyrox has made me feel like I've skipped some breaths on the rare occasion I participate.
I was recently visiting Paris and on this visit I was struck by how many runners there were in the streets (and they were all dressed like runners too). I assumed it was because of the marathon, but this was even after the marathon. Perhaps the runners chose to make a longer vacation out of it.
Although the afternoon/evening OF the marathon, I saw a lot of people wearing medals and limping 🥹, so I'm not sure if they were the same runners post marathon. I think I'd be taking a break, personally.
Being a long time Paris resident / visitor (one or the other over many years) this exercise phenomena really popped when I returned to live last year! It kinda shocked me TBH. Now, it’s just what’s happening… all over Paris, at all hours. Bah oui!
I couldn't believe the amount of pilates studios when I was in Paris in March. It was starting to feel like Eastern suburbs in Sydney (minus the beach and the hot surfer dudes).
From the Left Bank (arguably the more restrained side when it comes to fashion risks), it felt like sneakers had already been legitimized by luxury fashion throughout the 2010s—Alexander McQueen or Stella McCartney x Adidas. They were acceptable if styled a certain way. Then Balenciaga made them a statement, and Covid turned them into the default.
Curious to see where it goes next, especially with the return of more polished shoes on the runways.
Thank you, Pamela! Yes, I'd agree that streetstyle (vs sport) definitely trickled down from the runway. True athletic ensembles and the confidence to wear them now? Another story lol! I think Melody nailed it when she talked about how we attribute value, culturally, and the power of the wellness "movement", which plays out in a host of different ways.
I was in Paris a few months ago for work and I was impressed by the amount of people that go running every day even in Montmartre with its lots of stairs. As you ask in one question, I think it’s a little bit the flex factor. ‘Look at my life, look at me: I have time and energy for me.‘ Do you think that apps like strava make it easier for people to joins this ‘running wave? I mean by the fun design and options, etc.
I do sort of miss the days of women running in ballet flats. I don’t miss being asked if I’m going for a run when I’ve worn my hair in a ponytail.
😆😆😆 ahhh I miss reading those stories
We need more of these anecdotes 👌👌
It makes me feel so special! What is that? Thinking back to the late 1960’s/early 1970’s, when I would come to Paris and run from my hotel to do loops around the la Tour Eiffel or routes through les Bois de Vincennes…and most days not see a single runner. It seemed that people looked at me like a Martian. Having the whole city to myself like that was pretty cool.
That IS special! Today you’d absolutely be sharing the road with tons of people, some still don’t know what they’re doing but at least have gotten more appropriate gear.
We stayed in Paris for a few months in 2013 before moving to Limoges—the (few) other runners would cheer for me when they saw me pushing a jogging stroller down rue du Commerce and around the Champ-de-Mars. “Bravo! Bravo!”
It's interesting to see what I have definitely noticed over all these years confirmed by a study. We live in Aveyron near a lot of trails, and when we first arrived in the 1990s we would only see people walking on them. Make that strolling. Now every evening there are mountain bikers, joggers, power walkers and serious-looking hikers. It's really a sea change.
If people are taking care of their health more seriously, it's definitely a good thing. I still await the day the chronic exercisers I see in Paris (who look very fit!) will stop smoking the second they leave the gym lol
Thank you for the article. I moved from Los Angeles last year and I've been surprised by the exercise culture here, in a good way! We could argue the fashion impact, but it's really lovely to see a mass of runners along the Seine on a sunny Saturday morning. Cheers to the good life!
Oooh, I'm so glad you unpacked this — it's such a striking change. I've never forgotten that when Inés de la Fressange, icon of chic, was asked about exercise by the NYTimes years ago, she replied: “I thought about doing it once.”
I lived in France for a decade, landing a few days after September 11. Almost 15 years after leaving, when I go back, I still am mesmerised at not seeing ballet flats in the street anymore, and seeing people head to work in baskets / tennis. I am still so shocked by this as it was just so frowned upon when I worked at La Défense. I understand things evolve and need to change but I will not and will still wear my ballerines to work even if 7000 kms away. And I will be considered the frenchie one where I live. How funny and bizarre! I know it's not the subject, but don't even get me started on people having switched books in the metro for their phones...
That's another can of worms! There are days when I feel hopeful because more people are reading the paper and physical books and then the next, tech neck everywhere. Disheartening!
I think Europe is sometimes ahead of the latest fitness trend compared to the U.S. For example, last March, I tried Hyrox for the first time while I in Paris at a boutique studio. I went to the class not really knowing what it was (my mistake). Less than a year later, all I see is Hyrox taking over the U.S.
I would be curious if there's a correlation between the French who have given up smoking and taken up Hyrox (or running). Because as a nonsmoker and someone who goes to the gym regularly, Hyrox has made me feel like I've skipped some breaths on the rare occasion I participate.
Interesting, I don't even know Hyrox! (goes to google....)
I was recently visiting Paris and on this visit I was struck by how many runners there were in the streets (and they were all dressed like runners too). I assumed it was because of the marathon, but this was even after the marathon. Perhaps the runners chose to make a longer vacation out of it.
Although the afternoon/evening OF the marathon, I saw a lot of people wearing medals and limping 🥹, so I'm not sure if they were the same runners post marathon. I think I'd be taking a break, personally.
Alas, definitely not solely because of the marathon! I even saw Parisians gearing up for their run, in shorts, during the hail storm yesterday.
Being a long time Paris resident / visitor (one or the other over many years) this exercise phenomena really popped when I returned to live last year! It kinda shocked me TBH. Now, it’s just what’s happening… all over Paris, at all hours. Bah oui!
I couldn't believe the amount of pilates studios when I was in Paris in March. It was starting to feel like Eastern suburbs in Sydney (minus the beach and the hot surfer dudes).
WILD! It feels a bit out of control, tbh.
Super interesting interview.
From the Left Bank (arguably the more restrained side when it comes to fashion risks), it felt like sneakers had already been legitimized by luxury fashion throughout the 2010s—Alexander McQueen or Stella McCartney x Adidas. They were acceptable if styled a certain way. Then Balenciaga made them a statement, and Covid turned them into the default.
Curious to see where it goes next, especially with the return of more polished shoes on the runways.
Thank you, Pamela! Yes, I'd agree that streetstyle (vs sport) definitely trickled down from the runway. True athletic ensembles and the confidence to wear them now? Another story lol! I think Melody nailed it when she talked about how we attribute value, culturally, and the power of the wellness "movement", which plays out in a host of different ways.
I was in Paris a few months ago for work and I was impressed by the amount of people that go running every day even in Montmartre with its lots of stairs. As you ask in one question, I think it’s a little bit the flex factor. ‘Look at my life, look at me: I have time and energy for me.‘ Do you think that apps like strava make it easier for people to joins this ‘running wave? I mean by the fun design and options, etc.
Very fair question! There’s definitely a gameification of wellness that I think does contribute to some of this.