If you feel the need to work off that croissant au beurre you're likely to indulge in every morning, or the daily éclair au chocolat or financier you've been treating yourself to each afternoon, for visitors to Paris that practice yoga, there's plenty of places scattered about the city with classes all day long so you can downward-dog all that buttery richness away.
You'll find most of the yoga studios in Paris tucked away in old courtyards while others are sleek and modern. In my experience, you're less-likely to find a 'power yoga'-style class which feels like a heavy-duty workout in Paris as you'll find in many US cities, but it probably best not to overexert yourself too much...after all, you're on vacation!
Most yoga classes in Paris are Vinyasa or Ashtanga-style, with lots of variations. Here's a list of a several studios that are centrally located, with some notes about their classes and styles. Most studios require regular students to pay a cotisation annuelle, an annual fee, although they waive it for short-term visitors. Please note that class prices are the current rates, and you should check the individual studios web sites for updates. If you like to have water handy, it's best to bring a small bottle along with you.
Most yoga studios in Paris don't offer showers and although classes are in French, most teachers speak a bit of English and if you regularly practice yoga you shouldn't have a problem following along. Expect to pay more than you would for an individual class in the US, although most places offers series of multiple classes, which is worthwhile if you plan to be in town for a while. Mats are available, but changing rooms in most of the places are non-existent, so be prepare to 'see-and-be-seen' (and believe me, I've seen everything)—so don't be shy!
Fédération Française de Yoga
Offers classes in Yoga Dynamique (Vinyasa) and Yoga Détente (restorative), for relaxation. There is sometimes a class in English offered once a week. Yoga sessions are 1 or 1½ hours, and visitors pay 10€ per 'trial' class. Free mats available.
Fédération Française de Yoga
11, passage Saint-Pierre Amelot (11th)
Métro: Oberkampf
T: 01 47 00 28 20
(Press large button on keypad to enter building.)
Samasthiti Studio
Primarily offers Ashtanga classes, although there's different levels including débutant évolutif near-beginner and Vinyasa créatif, which offers variations on the Ashtanga series. There's also Mysore-style classes offered. Visitors can purchase 2-classes, on a visistor-basis, for 30€. Single classes are 20€ and are about 1½ hours long. Free mats available.
Samasthiti Studio
23, rue de Cerisaie (4th)
Métro: Bastille
T: 01 44 07 31 33
Centre Sivananda de Yoga
This was the first place I went upon arriving in Paris, as they offer a free introductory class one a month, as well as a class in English once a week. Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed: Even though it was my first class in Paris, the teacher decided to use me as an example of what not to do, which was rather humiliating, and kept saying, "Where did you learn to do that?"
I kept thinking, "Nice karma, b%$tch..."
(Is that wrong?)
But perhaps the good vibes I later sent her way perhaps made her a better person, so maybe it's worth checking out again. Om!
Centre Sivananda de Yoga de Paris
123, Boulevard de Sébastopol (2nd)
5th floor
Métro: Réaumur Sébastopol
T: 01 40 26 77 49
Rasa Yoga
A friend of mine and I checked this place out and we were bowled over by how clean and modern it was. This sleek yoga studio on the Left Bank, right near Notre Dame, offers Ashtanga and Vinyasa classes with spiffy changing rooms, lock-boxes...and showers! Single classes are 20€.
Rasa Yoga
21, rue Saint Jacques (5th)
Métro: Cluny-La Sorbonne
T: 01 43 54 14 5
Bikram Yoga Paris
If you're a practitioner of 'hot', demanding Bikram yoga, there are the two studios in Paris. Both have a daily class in English at each location. Single classes are 25€, and mats & towels are available to rent.
Bikram Yoga Paris
13, rue Simon Le Franc (4th)
Métro: Rambuteau or Hotel de Ville
T: 01 42 47 18 52
17, rue du Faubourg Montmarte (9th)
(Door code-A4246)
Métro: Grand Boulevards or Cadet
T: 01 42 47 18 52
You might find this article from Yoga Journal interesting reading as well, which provides an overview of the Paris yoga scene.
Here's some other site for yoga schools in Paris to visit:
Paris Yoga (8th)
Red Earth Centre (10th)
Yoga Marais (3rd)
Thanks, David! Guilty secret revealed: Every morning that I make it to my mat, I reward myself with a croissant with my coffee (although it's an American croissant). Someday, I will practice in a Parisian ashtanga shala, then indulge in a Parisian croissant!
oh, dear david, sorry to hear about your bad experience with the sivananda organization...i was one of their staff members many years ago (before you were born ;), and it was a wonderful experience...my first lessons ever was at their nyc center that turned me onto yoga and my spiritual path ...and my life changed forever from their teachings ... perhaps it's different now...
om shanti
Hi David,
Just wanted to say a very sincere thank you for all the wonderful tips on Paris.
I've been a loyal reader for quite a while and have always loved Paris! In fact, I'm due to live out one of my goals and will be moving there in 3 weeks time. You can be sure that all your fantastic advice and recommendations will come in handy!
Thanks again!
Jess
David
thank you so much for these useful links.i'm a student and have recently moved to paris and really have been struggling to locate yoga classes here.especially english ones.i'll be sure to check out your suggestions.i went to the sivanda centre too and was less than impressed.nice karma b@#%h indeed.
thanks again.
Hello! I will be moving to Paris for one year in August of this year. If you have any information on apartment leasing can you please send it to me? I need to lease a 2 bdr. furnished. Any other tips you have would be greatly appreciated. I am having difficulty locating information on leasing a vehicle..any tips? Have a beautiful day!
Christina
Hi Christina: Finding an apt here, like any major city is tough. And landlords are far more suspicious of tenants in Paris since there's very strong rent control and it's tough to get rid of a bad one (making it hard for the rest of us!) There are rental agencies, which charge a fee, and people find apartments in Paris on the web or using PAP (link below for their site..and they come out with a newstand copy every thursday);
PAP
Craigslist (click on Paris)
FUSAC
Good luck!