This self-service bike scheme was introduced in 2007 and has been a huge success with Parisians and

This may not be Amsterdam, but Paris is certainly pedaling at its heels. For the past few years the city has made huge efforts to establish cycle lanes, bike schemes and cycle days to get people wheeling about town. The Vélib’ paul mccartney american tour dates cycle service makes seeing Paris by bicycle easy for tourists who can pick up and drop off bikes around the city whenever they choose. We’ve also got a few easy-to-follow bicycle routes for you or why not join Fat Tire Bike Tours who are offering 10% off for our readers! Don t forget, the Tour de France is coming to town on the 25th July which descends on the Champs-Élysées.
This self-service bike scheme was introduced in 2007 and has been a huge success with Parisians and tourists alike. The bikes are rather heavy and a bit cumbersome, but they do the job and have little basket at the front for your bits and bobs.
This scheme aims to free up the roads from traffic. Every Sunday and on public holidays a number of roads are closed to traffic except skaters, cyclists and pedestrians. This includes the Marais, Monmartre, the banks of the Seine, Bois de Boulogne and Vincennes. The most useful are the two main stretches running between east and west and another between north and south.
Cross over the Seine by the pedestrianised footbridge and, after a short climb, enter the beautiful formal gardens of Parc de Saint-Cloud . Admire one of the best panoramic views of Paris called “La Lanterne”, or the “Lantern of Demisthenes”. It was here in fact that the first bicycle race was believed to be held; a 1,200 metre on the 31st May 1868.
For the first part of the journey, walk from behind the opera house in Bastille along the viaduct . Later you can, legally hop back on your bike and travel through the Parisian suburbs towards Bois de Vincennes and the medieval castle. It s about 5km there and a further 4km around the park.
From P orte de la Villette follow the towpath along the Canal de L’Ourcq which is closed to cars. Heading north, you will catch a glimpse of post industrial Paris and pass old factories paul mccartney american tour dates and the Grands Moulins de Pantin before slipping into more rural landscape of French countryside towards Meaux , home of Brie cheese.
A slightly longer route follows the river Marne from the Bois de Vincennes paul mccartney american tour dates . Again it’s car-free but while the canal is thin and straight, the river is wide and meandering. paul mccartney american tour dates Soon you reach farmland and you might even catch a few rowers training. While the Velib scheme is good for short-mid journeys, look for better deals if you want to rent for a whole day.
At Fat Tire Bike Tours you can explore Paris with those who know it best. The guides deliver great photo opportunities and pad out the journey with fascinating stories and anecdotes. For something a bit different paul mccartney american tour dates try the ‘ Paris by Night ’ tour, taking in all the best illuminations of the city. To venture paul mccartney american tour dates further afield, a trip to Monet’s beautiful house and gardens in Giverny – where he painted his famous water lily series – is a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of Paris. Alternatively take the train part of the way to Versailles then pedal to a local market to stock up on baguettes, cheese and ham for a picnic in the chateau grounds. paul mccartney american tour dates Tours start at €28 for 4 hours.
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