Paris was one of the first cities (along with Lyon) to set up a self-service bicycle system. It is called Velib’ and it has been successful since the beginning. Cycling has since been democratized in the capital, and it is now easier to cross Paris by bike. Here is our selection of cycling tours in Paris along with any information you need to enjoy Paris bike trails.
PARIS BIKE TRAILS
The banks of the Seine
The banks of the Seine are know largely forbidden to motorists. It’s magnificent route that pass in front of Paris Town Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Tuileries, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the Concorde. You could try go bike from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame for example.
- Start at the Metro station Bir-hakim and take the Quai Branly. Stay on the left bank side and reach the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Continue past the Alma bridge and the Museum of Primitive Arts. Once arrived at Quai d’Orsay, continue to the Concorde bridge linking the National Assembly to the Museum of the Orangery.
- Cross the Seine then turn right to bike along the magnificent Tuileries Gardens. You will have a breathtaking view of the magnificent Musée d’Orsay (located on the other side of the Seine). Continue on the Quai des Tuileries, enjoying the Pont des Arts, the Louvre Museum (of course) and reach the Pont Neuf (Paris oldest bridge).
- Go toward the island – do not miss the square of the Vert Galant. Now take the famous wharf of goldsmiths to the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris.
Once you have reached your goal and you take a well-deserved break, you can either continue to Saint Louis Island through the Rue du Cloitre Notre-Dames or return to the Eiffel Tower through the Quai Montebello and the Quai St Michel.
The planted walk
This Promenade was built on an old railway track. It goes from Daumesnil Avenue to Porte Dorée. After renting a bicycle in Bastille or in the garden of Reuilly, pass over the garden and then pass under Reuilly Tunnel. Continue towards the porte of St Mandé.
- The Bois de Boulogne: This is a wooded and very exotic promenade. It goes along the long-field racetrack and the acclimatization garden.
- The bois de Vincennes: Walks are also very pleasant around the Bois de Vincennes lakes.
- The Ourq canal: This bike ride goes from the Parc de la Villette to the Parc de la Poudrerie in Sevran (30 km!)
Biking from Canal Saint Martin to the Bassin de la Villette
This promenade is the first of many options. You can extend it from Place de la Bastille to Stalingrad Square. Bike paths are now available all the way.
- Take your departure at the port of the Arsenal near the Place de la Bastille, continue north through the Place de la Bastille.
- Take Boulevard Richelieu-Lenoir and then take Boulevard Jules Ferry. You should see the beginning of the Canal at the end of it. You can now enjoy the quay of Jemmapes with its colorful and trendy shops. Keep going along the Canal St Martin until you reach the Bassin of La Villette.
- You can continue along the Canal de l’Ourq, which is about 20km, if you still have some energy left.
Montmartre
Reserved to the more athletics of us as this district roads are really uneven. Some streets are closed to cars on Sundays during the day.
A tour of the Historic Center of Paris ending in Montmartre
East Paris thai station, Notre-Dame, Montparnasse, Invalides, Saint-Lazare, Montmartre, Canal Saint-Martin… More informations about the tour of the historic center of Paris are available here.
PARIS RANDO BICYCLE – FREE HIKING IN PARIS
With the association Paris Rando Vélo take part in a free hike in Paris. The members of the association invite you every day and the 3rd Sunday of each month and meet you on the square of the Town Hall. On Friday the rally is scheduled at 9:30 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am. Also follow our tips for visiting Paris in 4 or 5 days.
PLAN OF BIKE ITINERARIES ADVISED BY PARIS CITY HALL AVAILABLE HERE:
If you have other ideas for cycling in Paris, do not hesitate to comment them bellow.
Here are the maps showing Velib stations by arrondissement:
- 1st arrondissement
- 2nd arrondissement
- 3rd district
- 4th Arrondissement
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