Forests, charming villages, castles and gravel paths: five ideas for escaping the capital for a day or a weekend.
You don’t need a car to get away from it all. Sometimes, all you need to do is hop on your bike, leave the streets of Paris behind and gradually leave the city in your wake.
Just a few dozen kilometres from Paris, the landscape changes completely. Buildings give way to forests, major boulevards to small country roads, and the noise of traffic to the crunch of tyres on gravel paths.
At Routes & Roads, we love this simple idea: set off by bike, travel light and discover what’s right on our doorstep.
Here are five getaways to discover from Paris, by train or without, for a sporty day out, a leisurely ride or your first bikepacking adventure.
1. Paris – Fontainebleau: between the Seine, a castle and a forest
About 60 km · 1 day · Easy
There is something particularly pleasant about leaving Paris by gradually following the banks of the Seine.
As the kilometres pass, the urban hustle and bustle fades away. The roads become quieter, the riverbanks greener, and you begin to rediscover the pleasure of riding without rushing.
As you approach Fontainebleau, the scenery changes again. The long forest avenues, rocks and shaded paths make you feel much further from Paris than you really are.
We recommend taking the time to stop at Samois-sur-Seine or Thomery, for a break by the water, before heading to the majestic Château de Fontainebleau.
Good to know:
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Duration: about 3 to 4 hours in the saddle
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Terrain: asphalt, cycle paths and forest tracks
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Train access: R line
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To discover: Samois-sur-Seine, Thomery and the Château de Fontainebleau
2. The Chevreuse Valley: corners, climbs and villages
50 to 80 km · Half a day to a day · Intermediate
If you like winding roads and small climbs that work your legs, head for the Chevreuse Valley.
South-west of Paris, this area is a real playground for cyclists. Roads wind through the woods, pass through small villages and offer a succession of climbs and descents.
Here, the pleasure comes as much from the scenery as from the route itself. You climb at your own pace, enjoy the descent, and then do it all again a few kilometres later.
The village of Dampierre-en-Yvelines, with its castle, makes for a great stop. A little further on, Chevreuse invites you to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere of the valley.
This is a ride we particularly recommend to those who like road cycling and want to spend a few hours away from Paris traffic.
Good to know:
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Distance: about 50 to 80 km
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Terrain: secondary asphalt roads, hilly route
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Train access: RER B
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To discover: Dampierre-en-Yvelines and Chevreuse
3. Paris – Giverny: follow the Seine to the painters' village
About 75 km · 1 day · Easy
Some routes make you want to slow down. The one leading to Giverny is one of them.
Following the Seine towards Normandy, you discover open landscapes, peaceful villages and long stretches where it is pleasant to cycle at a steady pace.
The route is relatively flat, allowing you to enjoy the distance without having to tackle any major technical difficulties.
Along the way, La Roche-Guyon is worth a stop. With its chalk cliffs and village by the Seine, it is one of those places where you want to put your bike down for a few moments.
Arriving in Giverny, famous for its connection to Claude Monet, adds an artistic touch to this getaway.
A great idea for those who like to combine cycling, scenery and cultural discoveries.
Good to know:
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Distance: about 75 km
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Terrain: cycle paths and greenways, little elevation gain
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Train access: TER via Vernon
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To discover: La Roche-Guyon and Giverny
4. Gravel in the Vexin: dirt paths and wide-open spaces
About 90 km · 2 days · Intermediate
For this getaway, we deliberately leave the asphalt behind.
The Vexin Français Regional Natural Park offers an ideal setting for gravel: vast fields, farm tracks, dirt paths and landscapes that seem to stretch to the horizon.
Here, the pleasure is different. You move at the pace of the terrain, choose your line and enjoy the peace of the paths.
Depending on the season, the ground can be dry, dusty or downright muddy. That is also part of the charm of this type of ride.
We recommend planning a stop in Théméricourt, home to the Maison du Parc, then heading to the heights of Vétheuil to admire the landscapes of the Seine Valley.
A great opportunity to discover gravel over two days, with a suitable bike and a few things in the panniers.
Good to know:
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Distance: about 90 km over two days
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Terrain: dirt paths, farm tracks and rough sections
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Train access: RER A or Transilien J depending on your departure
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Recommended bike: gravel or mountain bike
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To discover: Théméricourt and Vétheuil
5. Rambouillet: two days between forests and large ponds
About 110 km round trip · 2 days · Challenging
To round off this selection, we are taking you into the forests of Rambouillet.
It is the kind of place where you can ride for hours under the trees, cross long forest tracks and discover hidden ponds in the middle of the woods.
The route is particularly well suited to a first bikepacking experience.
With a few things in the panniers, you set off for two days without trying to break any records. The goal is simple: ride, explore and enjoy the journey.
The Étangs de Hollande offer a great opportunity to take a break by the water. The historic village of Montfort-l’Amaury is also worth a detour.
Between forest tracks and narrower paths, the terrain requires a little endurance and a bike capable of getting off the beaten track.
Good to know:
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Distance: about 110 km round trip
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Duration: 2 days
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Terrain: forest tracks and singletracks
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Train access: Transilien N
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Recommended bike: gravel bike suited to the terrain or mountain bike
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To discover: Étangs de Hollande and Montfort-l’Amaury
Which bike to choose for these getaways?
It all depends on the terrain and how you like to ride.
For mainly paved routes, a road bike fitted with sufficiently wide tyres can be a perfect choice.
For forest tracks, farm tracks and multi-day outings, we often opt for a gravel bike. Versatile and comfortable, it lets you go from the road to the paths without having to think too much about it.
We also recommend tyres of at least 30 mm, adapted to the terrain, as well as a pair of panniers to carry the essentials.
And if you don’t have the bike or the necessary equipment, there’s no need to buy everything for just one adventure.
At Routes & Roads, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, we offer bikes and equipment for hire to accompany you on your next getaways.
It’s time to hit the road
You don’t always need to go far to feel like you’re travelling.
A day along the Seine, a few climbs in the Chevreuse Valley or two days on the paths of the Vexin can be enough to rediscover the simple pleasure of riding.
So, choose your route, prepare your bike and set off to explore.
We’ll see you on the road!
