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Bikes parked beside the main road during the day. Photo by Svetlana Gumerova- Unsplash
10 Best Cycling Routes in Paris
There are cycle associations in almost every town, bike rider statues on roads over Alpine mountain trails, and city bike rental schemes all over the country. France is a cycling country, with brilliantly kept bike lanes and paths in every department (district), making bike tours one of the most pleasurable ways to discover France.
Read more on; 10 of the Best Bike Tours to take in Paris
1. Stalingrad to Bois de Vincennes
This path begins in the ultra-hip Canal Saint-Martin district, where you should stop for a few initial pit stops at restaurants, bars, and shops. Continue along the canal and through the gardens that cover it when it goes underground until you reach Bastille. Things can get a little rough here, so if you’re an anxious rider, dismount. A short distance from the roundabout is the Promenade Plantée, a 19th-century railway road bridge modified into a tree-lined garden route that leads to the Bois de Vincennes. The Château de Vincennes is a must-see in this 995-hectare park, and the Lac des Minimes would be a nice way to end the trip.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: guided segway tour
IDEAL FOR: BEGINNERS, GROUPS, FAMILIES
how to get there: Vincennes Woods, Rte de la Pyramide, 75012 Paris, France
2. Burgundy Vineyard Route
What’s not to like about the Voie de Vignes (Way of the Vines)? Wine, a gently sloping village surrounded in vineyards, pleasant cycle lanes, and even more wine. This 20km (12 mile) route between Beaune and Santenay in the Burgundy area of eastern France is all about the gift of the grape.
Begin your ride at the École des Vins de Bourgogne (Bourgogne Wine School), where tastings are available – just don’t drink too much, as bike riders are also subject to drink-driving laws! Then make your way to the Château de Pommard and Château de Meursault, both of which create renowned wines (okay, one more quick taste…), before arriving in Santenay.
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: tuk tuk private tour
IDEAL FOR: PRO-RIDERS and small GROUPS
how to get there: Domaine Michel Prunier and Daughter, 18 Rte de Beaune, 21190 Auxey-Duresses, France
3. Promenade Plantee
Public bikes. Photo by VizAforMemories- Unsplash
Aside from the Pere Lachaise cemetery, visitors should avoid Paris’s eastern arrondissements, staying no further than the Bastille. The Promenade Plantee is a 4.7-kilometer tree-lined increased walk and bikeway built on the site the decommissioned 19th-century Vincennes railway rail bridge, which predates New York’s High Line. Consider cherry trees, maples, roses, and lavender in bloom. Carry your bike up the stairs just east of the Opera Bastille (lifts are often broken). Push your bicycle for the first 1.5 kilometers, then mount for the final three kilometers, following the line to the 995-hectare Bois de Vincennes on Paris’s eastern outskirts. This lovely park includes cycle paths, the Chateau de Vincennes, lakes, an arboretum, a zoo, and an English-landscaped garden. Picnic at one of the northern lakes, such as Lake Daumesnil, Lac des Minimes, or Lac des Minimes and Lac de Saint-Mande.
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: best of Paris
IDEAL FOR: small GROUPS and FAMILIES
how to get there: 1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 75012 Paris, France
4. Route des Vins
Alsatians have taken words, wines, customs, and myths from those who ride through their area, either making war or staking claim to the territory, as the stretch between Germany and France. Alsace is the consequence of thousands of years of blending cultures, individuals and the indomitable spirit of the Alsatian individuals. It’s also one of our favorite French areas to discover on two wheels.
You have no option but to ride on twisty roads through wine regions and historical landmarks in Alsace. Begin by following the Route des Vins south from Ottrott to Illhaeusern, passing through countless colorful rural communities tucked away between all vines.
In Andlau, delight at those who carved the church’s 12th-century frieze, and in Mittelbergheim, soak up the beauty of one of France’s most amazing places. The journey to Illhaeusern takes you through the Grand Reid wilderness, a wildlife haven scattered with ancient Gallic grave sites. Finish your journey at the Hôtel des Berges and dine at the hotel’s renowned 2 Star Michelin restaurant.
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: tuk tuk private tour
IDEAL FOR: small GROUPS
how to get there: Rte des Vins, 68126 Kaysersberg, France
5.The Alpe d’Huez of Paris
Starting from the Metro Parmentier, the climb is gentle at first, along the narrow Rue Oberkampf, allowing you to gain traction while admiring bobo bar patrons. After passing Bd de Belleville, the street name changes to the iconic Menilmontant and it becomes extremely steep. Some side streets serve as outdoor stairwells. The neighborhood combines bobos and proletarians, and the bars become funkier. To combat fear or fatigue, stop for legal doping: an energizing café or a courage-inducing beer.
You’re on your way to Paris’s highest point (which isn’t Montmartre at 426 feet). Turn left on Rue du Télégraphe and you’ll arrive at the highest peak in Paris: 485 feet.
The win comes next. Turn left downhill on Rue de Belleville, passing through Edith Piaf territory, and then right on Pyrénées at Metro Pyrénées. In about 200 meters, you’ll arrive at the multilevelled Parc des Buttes Chaumont, with rolling hills, waterfalls, and a tall stone-arched bridge. It is the largest (and steepest) public park in Paris. You can gaze up at Sacré-Coeur from the neoclassical observatory high just above the duck pond.
Also, check out; How safe is riding a bike in Paris?
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: electric bike tour
IDEAL FOR: GROUPS and FAMILIES
how to get there: Pl. Joseph Paganon, 38750 Huez, France
6.Parc de Bercy to Noisiel
Bystanders try to book a bicycle on a mobile app. Photo by Karollyne Hubert- Unsplash
Beginning in the Parc de Bercy, which is remarkably rich in wildlife for an urban park, this path goes around the Bois de Vincennes (where you could stop for a short trip to a working organic farm if you want) to make the most of Paris’ second, often-overlooked river, the Marne. After passing through Saint-Maurice, the original home of Eugène Delacroix and the Marquis de Sade, you can connect to the voie vertecycle path, which follows the river and drifts all the way to Noisiel. Of course, there’s no need to complete the entire 25 kilometers if the burn becomes too stressful!
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: best of Paris
IDEAL FOR: GROUPS
how to get there: Noisiel, 77186, France
7.Île de Ré
The almost pancake-flat Île de Ré lies a short distance offshore from La Rochelle on the central Atlantic coast, nuzzled by salty sea winds and washed through with oceanic sunlight, and it was made for easy family adventures. A channel of very well bike lanes crisscrosses the island, ensuring that any route you choose includes lazy bike riding alongside long, sandy beaches, amazing views, and past small seaside towns where you can refuel with a seafood lunch.
Riding a bike around the Île de Ré isn’t even remotely taxing. Rather, it’s delight after delight after delight. Despite the countless paths all around the island, we advise taking the loop from Ars-en-Ré up to the significant scenic overlook Phare des Baleines (Lighthouse of the Whales) and then east to the saltpans (the island is famous for its salt) around Les Ports-en-Ré.
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: tuk tuk private tour
IDEAL FOR: GROUPS and FAMILIES
how to get there: Île de Ré, France
8.Bordeaux and Dordogne: Due East along the Dordogne River
Begin arranging for some of the finest biking in France, where the ride is as smooth as a Château Mouton Rothschild. Set out from Saint-Emilion on a day-long journey to the Bergerac province. Take a quick detour to Castillon-la-Bataille, the spot of the Hundred Years War’s final battle, which resulted in defeat and the final dismissal of the British from Aquitaine. After a brief history lesson, continue along the Dordogne River’s meandering banks.
Stop for lunch on one of the town’s countless patios in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, a town that covers the departments of the Dordogne and the Gironde. Following lunch, the path follows the Route des Vins into the AOC vineyards of Bergerac and Montbazillac, both of which are renowned for their dessert wine. Finish with a final push to the top of a hill, where you will find the Chartreuse du Bignac.
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: guided segway tour
IDEAL FOR: small GROUPS and FAMILIES
how to get there: Beausejour, 47210 Doudrac, France
9. Canal Bike Paths
The 4.5-kilometer Canal St-Martin, with its delightful locks and swing bridges, is a delightful place to start a day of bike riding. St-Martin is part of a 130-kilometer canal network (such as Canals St-Denis and Ourcq) constructed by Napoleon in the early 1800s to provide drinking water to Paris. Rent a bike near Republique, where the canal bike path starts, and ride to Quai de Valmy on St-Martin (the canal runs underground from Bastille to Republique). Enjoy the cafes, parks, houseboats, and clothing stores of St-Martin before turning onto Canal de L’Ourcq and pedaling northeast out of town. Stop for a picnic lunch at Parc de la Bergere. The route comes to an end near Claye-Souilly, 36 kilometers from Republique. Only go as far as you want.
Also, check out; Five Bike Routes you can do on your own in Paris
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: tuk tuk private tour
IDEAL FOR: Solo travelers
how to get there: 9GHX+94, 34340 Marseillan, France
10. The Canal du Midi Cycle Path
A bike parked right outside a little café. Photo by Storiès- Unsplash
Riding a bike along the Canal du Midi in southern France takes you past fortified towns, crumbling castles, avenues of stately plane trees, and quiet rural areas. And the Canal du Midi isn’t just beautiful; it’s also rich in history. This is both Europe’s oldest canal and the world’s first canal to use a lock system to allow boats to easily travel its length. Fun fact: The canal locks were invented by Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last years of his life in France.
The Canal du Midi is mostly flat and easy to cycle, with plenty of bike-friendly tourism destinations along the way. In other words, it’s the ideal cycling path. The Canal du Midi bike route officially connects Toulouse to the glistening Mediterranean Sea at Sète, some 240 kilometers (149 miles) away. Most people skip the first leg of the journey and start their journey in Carcassonne, a fairy-tale fortified town. This implies four days of consistent pedaling before you can put on your bathing suit and dive into the sea at the end of the ride.
practical infomation
BOOK THIS TOUR WITH US: Paris by segway
IDEAL FOR: pro riders, small GROUPS, FAMILIES
how to get there: Le 100ème singe, 27 Rte de Rebigue, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France
Take these bike trips once you arrive in Prague.
