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Cycling to the gates of Paris – Follow the Scandibérique, the road of Louis XIV and the Véloscenic

Price per person

From 1355€

Type of stay

Bicycle trip

Location

Paris, Fontainebleau, Versailles - France

Duration

8 days

Difficulty

Departures

On request from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 18-2

Your stay

Your cycling trip from Paris

Paris, the city of all the arts, will be the starting and finishing point for your cycling adventure in the Paris region. Make the most of the capital’s many safe cycle paths to admire its most beautiful monuments from the front row, before cycling along the Seine – the region’s iconic river – and taking the ‘Scandibérique’ cycle route to Melun. Discover castles that are absolutely not to be missed: Vaux-le-Vicomte and its French formal gardens, and the impressive Château de Fontainebleau. Venture into the Imperial Forest of Fontainebleau and explore the small villages you’ll come across along the way, notably Barbizon, the cradle of Impressionist painting. In the heart of the Paris Basin countryside, along cycle paths and on quiet back roads, cycle at your own pace to enjoy the peace and quiet of the surrounding countryside. Reach the royal town of Dourdan and cycle through the Rambouillet Forest, where you’ll discover a magnificent château. Stage by stage, you’ll travel through the Chevreuse Valley and the magnificent Vaux de Cernay, and your cycling journey will take you straight to the Palace of Versailles, where the Sun King awaits you. His masterpiece is truly fascinating! A final stage will take you gently into Paris along the peaceful ‘Véloscénie’ cycle route, before finishing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Pyramid… to name but a few!

You'll enjoy :

Discover Paris by bike
The French-style gardens designed by ‘Le Nôtre’ at Vaux-le-Vicomte, gardener to Louis IV
The royal forests of Fontainebleau and Rambouillet and their châteaux
The Chevreuse Valley, a favourite with cyclists
The spectacular finale in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in the heart of Paris or in Vincennes

Arrival at your hotel in Paris (if you’re hiring bikes) or Vincennes (if you’re bringing your own bikes). You’ll be given your route guide, which will set out your itinerary.

Overnight stay and breakfast at a 3* hotel in Paris or a 4* aparthotel (studio) in Vincennes.

Day 2 - From Paris or Vincennes to Le Coudray-Montceau, via the Scandiberique

1/ Setting off from Paris, you’ll follow the Seine southwards. The first few kilometres offer a striking contrast between historic heritage and contemporary architecture. You’ll see, in particular, the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Ministry of the Economy and Finance buildings, the Accor Arena and the impressive François-Mitterrand site of the National Library of France. Further on, at the confluence of the Seine and the Marne, the striking Chinagora complex catches the eye with its architecture inspired by the Forbidden City in Beijing.

2/ Starting from Vincennes and its château, your journey will begin with a pleasant cycle route through the Bois de Vincennes to the Seine.

As the route unfolds, the Seine Valley reveals another facet of its history. Former factories, redeveloped brownfield sites and vast infrastructure bear witness to the region’s rich industrial past. The iconic Vitry-sur-Seine thermal power station remains in the cyclist’s view for some time before the landscape gradually gives way to more natural surroundings. Former quarries, converted into lakes and leisure areas, now provide a haven for numerous species of birds and make for pleasant places to relax. Little by little, the urban environment gives way to a greener setting, heralding the arrival in Corbeil-Essonnes.

Overnight stay and breakfast at a 4* hotel.

Day 3 - From Coudray-Montceau to Fontainebleau via the Scandibérique

+10km via the castles of Vaux le Vicomte and Blandy

From Evry and the remains of its old flour mills, the Scandibérique follows the peaceful meanders of the Seine through bucolic surroundings. The wooded, often shaded banks invite you to cycle at the river’s leisurely pace. The absence of major roads and frequent bridges enhances this pleasant sense of calm that accompanies travellers throughout this stage.
On the way to Melun, beautiful 19th- and 20th-century mansions serve as a reminder that the banks of the Seine were long a popular holiday destination.

Artists, writers and actors have drawn inspiration from these luminous landscapes, where water and forest seem to become one.
A must for your lunch break: the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and its French formal gardens, where you can enjoy a meal at the château’s restaurant.
You will then continue on your way to the fortified castle of Blandy, a rare example of medieval military architecture in the Île-de-France region.

This stage offers a true immersion in a natural setting, between the shifting reflections of the river and the edges of the Forest of Fontainebleau.

Next comes Samois-sur-Seine, a charming village with narrow streets full of character, world-famous for hosting the annual Django Reinhardt festival every summer. Finally, the arrival in Fontainebleau marks the culmination of this wonderful journey. A royal town at the gateway to one of France’s most famous forests, it offers a prestigious setting to round off your day in front of the château, before setting off again, re-energised, towards new adventures.
With 1,500 rooms spread across 11 hectares of parks and gardens, Fontainebleau is a royal and imperial château. The château has been continuously occupied by sovereigns for eight centuries. Kings and queens, emperors and empresses have all sought to embellish the château, which was built around the original medieval keep. The château and its grounds have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a 3* hotel.

Day 4 - From the Imperial Forest of Fontainebleau to the charming villages of the Parisian countryside

Today you’ll be cycling through the Imperial Forest of Fontainebleau. Covering an area of 25,000 hectares, it remains a true delight for nature lovers, thanks to its rich and diverse flora and fauna. You’ll discover the little village of Barbizon, the cradle of Impressionist painting, and continue on your way, exploring other villages, notably Dannemois, made famous by its mill where the popular singer Claude François once lived. You’ll round off your day’s cycling along a cycle path that will take you straight to your third stopover town.

A royal town, Etampes is the only ‘Town of Art and History’ in the Essonne department. It boasts a rich architectural and landscape heritage that bears witness to the town’s history. Etampes was also one of the centres of the Royal Domain from the Early Middle Ages onwards. From this period, the town still preserves, in particular, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, whose crypt dates from the 11th century, numerous 12th-century religious buildings and an exceptional four-lobed keep.

Overnight stay and breakfast at a 3* hotel.

Day 5 - Royal towns and the Rambouillet Forest

This time, your Parisian cycle tour will take you towards the Rambouillet Forest, where, it is said, wallabies roam freely! From Etampes, you’ll follow a cycle path alongside a charming little river and continue along narrow country lanes, allowing you to savour the tranquillity of the surroundings.

You’ll discover the royal town of Dourdan, which is also known as the ‘gateway to the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Nature Park’. Here you’ll find a château, the Porte de Chartres, 19th-century architecture and the ramparts…

Your day will then draw to a close in the heart of the Rambouillet Forest, opposite its impressive château.

Situated between Versailles and Chartres, at the heart of over 20,000 hectares of woodland, Rambouillet Castle and its grounds have welcomed great lords and sovereigns, emperors and presidents: François I, Louis XVI, Napoleon I, Félix Faure…

Overnight stay and breakfast in a 4* hotel.

Day 6: From the Chevreuse Valley to the Palace of Versailles

After a few kilometres, you’ll enter the heart of the Chevreuse Valley and cycle to discover all its treasures: churches, abbeys, castles, manor houses, wash houses… Around these charming villages, the countryside and woods always take centre stage. You’ll discover picturesque little villages before heading towards the prestigious Palace of Versailles. You’ll then finish your cycle ride very close to Paris, where you can explore Louis XIV’s masterpiece. You’ll then have the chance to cycle around the palace grounds.

Listed as a World Heritage Site for the past 30 years, the Palace of Versailles is one of the finest examples of 17th-century French art. It was the residence of the French kings Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. The Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartments, the Museum of French History: over the centuries, the Palace of Versailles, the seat of power until 1789, has continued to expand. Take the time to explore its gardens and various estates.

Overnight stay and breakfast in a 3* hotel

Day 7 - From Versailles to Paris or Vincennes via the Veloscenic greenway

From Versailles, leave the Sun King’s palace behind as you head towards the Bièvre valley. This section of the route is surprisingly idyllic: wooded hillsides, streams and meadows where a few cows still graze create a setting that almost makes you forget how close you are to the capital. Thanks to its gentle terrain, peaceful country lanes and high-quality cycle facilities, this stage is a particularly pleasant ride.

As you approach Massy, the Bièvre Valley naturally leads you to the famous Vallons de la Bièvre promenade, a 12-kilometre-long green corridor lined with trees and free from motor traffic. Make the most of this opportunity to take a break in two of the most beautiful green spaces in southern Paris: the Domaine de Sceaux and the Domaine départemental de la Vallée-aux-Loups, a haven of peace once dear to Chateaubriand.

The final few kilometres gradually take you towards the heart of Paris. After cycling through the southern districts of the capital, you’ll join the cycle path along the banks of the Seine, which you’ll follow all the way to your accommodation, whether in Paris or Vincennes. An amazing finale at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Pyramid !

Overnight stay and breakfast at a 3* hotel in Paris or a 4* aparthotel (studio) in Vincennes.

Day 8 - Departure

Departure after breakfast

rates

Price per person

	From Vincennes	From Paris
8 days – 7 nights	1355 €	1385 €

Price includes

7 nights in 3* and 4* hotels with breakfast included (in a double or twin room)
The itinerary (with route marked on a map and directions)
1 GPS app
Luggage transfer at each stage
Telephone support 7 days a week

Supplement

	From Vincennes	From Paris
Touring bike E-bike (VAE) Gravel bike	160 € 340 € 280 €	145 € 325 € 265 €

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:

Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information

Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information

Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

Sur ce circuit, nous vous proposons de vous fournir au choix et sur réservation :

Un vélo VTC adapté à la randonnée et au parcours (Modèle Homme et Femme)

Un vélo gravel adapté au parcours

Avec son équipement :

Antivol

Casque

1 sacoche arrière
1 sacoche guidon
1 kit de réparation
1 casque (sur demande)
1 antivol

Pour les plus jeunes, nous pouvons proposer en fonction de l’âge et de la taille

Un vélo enfant
Un siège bébé
Une remorque
Un vélo suiveur

Le vélo est ajusté à votre taille et livré au premier hébergement.

A la fin du circuit, le vélo doit être laissé au dernier hébergement avec son équipement. Nous nous occuperons de leur récupération.

This tour is offered in the “superior” category

Hotel categories :

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available: