Day 1: Paris
Individual arrival in Paris and hotel check in. At 6:00pm attend a welcome meeting with your guide and receive your bike. Dinner is on your own in this beautiful City of Light.
Overnight in Paris.
Day 2: Paris – Maisons Laffitte (32 miles/52 km)
We begin our tour following the bike path through Paris taking in the beautiful and historic sites of the city. We ride through Bastille Square, along Canal St. Martin and next to the Villette Park, the largest park in Paris and home to Cité des Sciences et de la Musique.
We continue along canals leading us to the banks of the Seine and to the stunning Parc des Impressionistes in Rueil-Malmaison. Inspired by Monet's garden at Giverny, this park delights us with its famous bridge, colorful water lilies and unique landscape. The day ends in Maisons Laffitte just steps from the castle, a fine example of French Baroque style built on the banks of the Seine to host King Louis XIV.
Overnight in Maisons Laffitte.
Day 3: Maisons Laffitte – Chars + Train to Gisors (29 miles/46 km)
Our day starts in the shade of oaks and beeches as we ride through the St. Germain-en-Laye Forest and into the Oise Valley. With its vibrant landscapes, this valley was a source of inspiration for many Impressionist painters including Daumier, Pissarro, Cézanne and Van Gogh. We continue into the Vexin Français Regional Nature Park, an area rich in history, nature, and architecture.
Our ride takes us on to Chars where we board a train for a short journey to Gisors, our destination for the day. This ancient medieval town is rapt in the mystery and legend of the Templar Knights.
Overnight in Gisors.
Day 4: Gisors – Forges-les-Eaux (37 miles/60 km)
In the morning we continue our ride through the rich countryside and quaint villages of the Epte Valley. See the beautiful Abbey in Saint-Germer-de-fly, stop for lunch in a typical French village, cool off as you dip your toes in the crisp clean natural spring waters of Haussez. The historic Forges-les-Eaux, once a spa retreat established in the XVI century, is our destination. Enjoy an evening stroll on the path around the lake, test your luck at the casino, or book a massage at the hotel spa.
Overnight in Forges-les-Eaux.
Day 5: Forges-les-Eaux – Dieppe + ferry to Newhaven (31 miles/50 km)
A converted rails-to-trails bike path is our stress-free route to Dieppe. The landscape along this stage is dotted with thriving farms and castles. These farms supply the modern-day markets of Normandy and Paris. The castles, such as Mesnièresen-Bray and Arques-la-Bataille, serve as a reminder of the France’s rich history. Along the way we pass through of Neufchatel-en-Bray, famous for its namesake soft cheese. Once in Dieppe, park your bike, play on the beach, and savor local oysters before boarding the ferry to cross the Channel to Newhaven England.
Overnight in Newhaven.
Day 6: Newhaven – Crawley (39 miles/62 km)
Our first day in England begins with a ride along the Newhaven marina toward the stunning cliffs of South Downs. A bit of climbing takes us to breathtaking views as we ride along the top before descending back down to a seaside path. For 10km we enjoy this scenic pathway with immaculate cliffs on one side and the English Channel on the other.
Soon we arrive in Brighton, a lively destination popular for its pier attractions, cafes, and charming old town. Next, we head inland through the rolling hills of Devil's Dyke, a legendary valley in the County of Sussex that is said to have been dug by the Devil.
Overnight in Crawley.
Day 7: Crawley – London (42 miles/67 km)
The last cycling day marks the return to urban life, although our re-entry is gradual. We start our day in the English countryside passing through the County of Surrey and into the suburbs of London. Our route traverses city parks filled with runners, cyclists, and dog walkers as we make our way to the city center. We connect with the River Wandle which leads us to the River Thames and on to the heart of London. We arrive at the renowned Westminster Abbey, the final destination of this amazing journey.
Overnight in London.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast end of the tour.
Resources
Avenue Verte official
www.avenuevertelondonparis.com
Cycling routes in UK
www.sustrans.org.uk
Paris-London cycling guide
www.chamina.com
