Nothing better than 'une balade à vélo' in Paris
A green route in the forest of Fontainebleau , a long walk to recharge the batteries about 70 km from Paris . To make things easier for you, you can rent the bikes right there after taking a tour of the town. Get ready for a day outdoors thanks to a quiet walk through its 25,000 hectares or a more adventurous activity on mountain bike in the most uneven areas of its lush vegetation.
When you find a clearing, rest, read, take a pleasant nap among its dense trees or "picnic". If you dare you can park the bikes and approach the nearby Château , magnificent royal residence for centuries. Another possibility is to visit the nearby and charming town of Barbizon , known for its renowned school of painters.
Aerial view of Barbizon
A NIGHT TOUR DEPARTING FROM MONTMARTRE
Once you have visited the Church of the Sacred Heart and the Place de Tertre, start the bike route at the height of the well-known cabaret, The Moulin Rouge .
Go down rue Blanche , will lead you to a beautiful view of the illuminated Parisian monuments. You will arrive at the impressive Opéra Garnier and then, rue de la Paix will lead you to the splendid place Vendôme , designed by Mansart. If you cross it you will find yourself in the Jardin des Tuileries where you can enjoy, with the bike in hand, its wonderful flower beds and a pause in one of its ponds. Continue the path around the Pyramide du Louvre and the solemn Cour Carré.
A few meters away are the Comédie-Française and the gardens of the Palais Royal, stroll aimlessly through the streets and squares of the sumptuous neighborhood . And if you want to get away a bit from the tourist area, two streets, Montmartre and Montorgueil they offer a hectic neighborhood life full of shops and bars.
Start with the lights of the most bohemian red windmill
A BUCOLIC WALK ALONG THE SAINT-MARTIN CANAL
Start in the north and go all the way down the channel, a serene itinerary that extends over 4.5 km . You will be able to do it in a romantic way in solo to the Amélie Poulain or with children. They will love the tall metal bridges and they will be astonished with the locks for the passage of ships.
If you need a break, you can settle down halfway, sitting on the edge of the canal or in one of the lively wine bars on the Quai Valmy. Another very French idea to stretch your legs is join an entertaining game of petanque in one of the nearby fields.
The Saint-Martin canal is 4.55 kilometers long
A SUNDAY IN THE LE MARAIS NEIGHBORHOOD
There is little circulation and a lot of atmosphere . Start at the Center Georges Pompidou and slowly make your way through the cobbled streets of this former Jewish quarter.
Take rue des Francs-Bourgeois, the main street, until you reach the elegant Place des Vosges. Along the way, if you let yourself go, you will see magnificent gardens and mansions such as Les Archives, the Carnavalet Museum, the Picasso Museum, the Hunting Museum or the Musée Cognacq-Jay.
If you feel like having a snack, don't hesitate to leave the bike for a few minutes and enjoy one of the quartier's best-known cakes at the café , Le Loir dans la Théière . To finish and burn off the last few calories, walk down the well-known Rue de Rivoli to the Hôtel de Ville, the Paris City Hall. From the nearby Puente d'Arcole you will marvel at the spectacular view of the city.
Walking through Le Marais you will find 'pop-up stores' like this one from Taschen
THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE EIFFEL TOWER
On Sundays, the 7th and 16th districts, close to the Eiffel Tower, become an ideal place for a pleasant bike ride. Start at Trocadero for an up-close look at the Iron Lady. You will be enchanted by the majestic streets that surround Champs de Mars and its impressive buildings. Then you can go around it through elegant avenues like Emile Deschanel or rue de Belgrade until you come across the École Militaire.
End in the direction of the Seine to Les Invalides, approach the Musée Rodin… wander around a bit and reach the impressive Pont Alexandre III . After observing the panorama, the walk continues along the quay next to the Seine River up to the Musée d'Orsay. If you want to get off the pedal, during the summer months there are numerous Peniches (boats) as chic beach bars such as Faust or Rosa Bonheur, with a guaranteed atmosphere.
Faust: secured environment
THE LEFT SHORE
If you don't have your own bike, take one Velib , (bicycles of free use of the city council) . As a starting point, the lively Place Saint-Michel in the heart of the Latin Quarter . Cycle to the Church of Notre Dame and **enter the calm Île Saint Louis**.
Get lost on its roads, pass by the Church Saint-Louis en l'Île and for the delicious cheese shop on the same street . You can also get off for a few moments to try the famous sorbets from the Berthillon ice cream parlor. Once your strength is restored, cross the Pont de la Tournelle to reach the district of The Sorbonne , known for his intellectual life. You will find the prestigious University, the Panthéon, and the beautiful Church of Saint Etienne du Mont. Continue through its alleys, the lively Rue Mouffetard, its market, the independent cinemas and the many bookshops of this hectic area of students.
After this you can enjoy a well-deserved rest having a caramel crepe beurre salé in the wonderful Luxembourg Garden . With a bit of luck there will be a classical music concert on its bandstand.
Follow @miguiadeparis
_ You may also be interested..._*
- The Loire Valley by bike
- Menorca by bike for dummies
- Guide to find the bike you need
- Cicloviajeros: the world seen from a bicycle
- 10 landscapes to discover by bike
- A "yes I want" guaranteed in Paris
- Duck with blood, frog legs... and many dishes that you must try in Paris
- 100 things you should know about Paris
- The keys to the perfect Parisian picnic
- 97 things to do in Paris once in a lifetime
- Paris in summer: red-hot art and gastronomy
- Paris with your friends: the route of 'big guys'
- How to be the perfect grandson in Paris
- How I managed to sneak into the catacombs of Paris - How not to look like a tourist in Paris
- Perspectives of the Eiffel Tower
- The most popular food trucks in Paris
- 42 things to do in France once in a lifetime
- All the articles of Maria Luisa Zotes Ciancas
How about a walk through the Latin Quarter?