cityparcours

cityparcours is a concept referring to a curated urban route or set of routes designed to guide participants through a city and reveal its character through stops, landmarks, and experiences. It combines aspects of walking or cycling with storytelling, architecture, public art, or historical themes, and may be self-guided or led by a guide.

The term blends the French parcours, meaning route or course, with city to emphasize an urban exploration format. cityparcours programs are produced by city authorities, cultural institutions, tourism boards, museums, or private organizations and are used for cultural promotion, education, and active mobility.

A cityparcours typically includes a mapped itinerary, a sequence of designated stops, descriptive texts or audio guides, practical information such as distance and duration, accessibility notes, and sometimes interactive elements like QR codes or tasks. Routes may prioritize heritage, contemporary art, architecture, food, or green spaces.

Variants range from self-guided routes to organized events, and from general citywide parcours to themed editions focusing on topics such as street art, modern architecture, sustainable mobility, or municipal history. They are used by schools and tourism programs to teach geography and culture through experience.

Technology plays a growing role, with mobile apps, online maps, and geolocated guides enabling real-time navigation and feedback. Designers consider safety, accessibility, inclusivity, and local impact to ensure routes are welcoming to diverse users and respectful of neighborhoods.