Avenue Verte Paris to London (and reverse) – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 31 Miles/day average
Dates:
From Paris: Jul 5, 19; Aug 2, 16, 2015.
From London: Jul 12, 26; Aug 9, 23, 2015. (minimum 15 participants)
Tour price: €1099
Start city: Paris, France or London, England
End city: London, England or Paris, France
Tour Description
Welcome to Paris, the Ville Lumière, and let’s start this new amazing itinerary to London, the capital of the modern world!
A charming and panoramic tour connecting the two cities, from the cathedral square of Notre- Dame till Westminster Bridge: a mosaic of landscapes scattered with castles, cathedrals and villages.
Thanks to this new cycle way, the Avenue Verte or Greenway, inaugurated in June 2012, Paris and London are now even closer. From the French capital to Dieppe we will cycle for about 124 miles/200 km along the Epte valley, then along the wooded banks of the river Seine where Monet used to paint his water lilies. Then it’s on through the Oise valley with its extremely bright landscape– a source of inspiration for many paintings of Impressionists such as Daumier, Pissarro, Cézanne and Van Gogh.
The route goes through the historic region of Vexin Français, and then in the Epte valley, an affluent of the Seine that marks the entry in Normandy, following the itinerary that in many places runs along old abandoned railways, country roads with little traffic and cycle paths, offering picturesque views surrounded by breathtaking sceneries, till you reach Dieppe, overlooking the Channel.
A 4-hour ferry crossing will take us over the Channel to the port of Newhaven from where we will continue along the immaculate and rugged cliffs of South Downs to Brighton. From there we’ll cross the gentle hills of the Sussex and the beautiful English countryside to finally reach the heart of the cosmopolitan London, through parks and along cycle paths.
This tour is offered in two directions, from Paris to London and from London to Paris. See the daily program for more information.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Paris Day 2: Paris – Maisons Laffitte (32 miles/52 km) Then the tour continues along cycle paths, following the river Seine and its big loops; we will meet different parks including the “Parc des Impressionistes” in Rueil-Malmaison, faithful evocation of Monet’s garden at Giverny that will fascinate us with its famous bridge, the colourful water lilies and rare bushes. The stage ends in Maisons Laffitte, a few steps from the castle built on the banks of the Seine to host King Louis XIV after the hunt, a fine example of French Baroque. Day 3: Maisons Laffitte – Chars- Train to Gisors (32 miles/52 km) Day 4: Gisors – Forges-les-Eaux (40 miles/65 km) Day 5: Forges-les-Eaux – Dieppe – Ferry to Newhaven (35 miles/56 km) Day 6: Newhaven – Crawley (37 miles/59 km) Day 7: Crawley – London (37 miles/59 km) Day 8: Departure London to Paris Day 1: Arrival in London Day 2: London – Coulsdon – Train to Brighton – Newhaven (19 + 11 miles/30 + 18 km) Day 3: Newhaven – Dieppe by ferry – Tour of Dieppe(12 miles/20 km) Day 4: Dieppe – Forges-les-Eaux (34 miles/54 km) Day 5: Forges-les-Eaux – Gisors (37 miles/60 km) Day 6: Gisors – Maisons Laffitte (46 miles/75 km) Day 7: Maisons Laffitte – Paris (32 miles/52 km) Day 8: Departure from Paris Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Hybrid bikes come equipped with the following at no additional cost: Electrically-assisted bikes come equipped with the following at not additional cost: Further specifications on the electrically-assisted bikes: Pedals Seats Helmets
This tour is offered in two directions, from Paris to London and from London to Paris. Both itineraries are detailed below.
Paris to London
Jul 5, 19; Aug 2, 16, 2015
Individual arrival in Paris. At 6 p.m. meeting with the guide at the hotel and delivery of the bikes.
Overnight in Paris.
Start of the first short cycle trip along the cycle path of the Canal St. Martin and the Villette park: it is the biggest park inside the walls of Paris with inside the “Cité des Sciences et de la Musique”. Our destination is Notre Dame, heart of the city.
Overnight in Maisons Laffitte.
The morning starts cycling in the shade of the oaks and beeches of the St. Germain-en-Laye forest to continue through the Oise valley that with its extremely bright landscapes was a source of inspiration for many paintings of Impressionists such as Daumier, Pissarro, Cézanne and Van Gogh (Wheatfield with Crows); then we will cycle across the regional park of the Vexin Français, an area rich in ancient villages, castles and churches. The meeting with the river Epte, affluent of the Seine, marks the entry to Normandy.
Overnight in Gisors.
In the morning we leave Gisors, ancient medieval town wrapt in the mystery of the legend of the Templar Knights (the castle was their prison) and continue through the typical countryside and the rich landscapes of the departments of Eure and Seine-Maritime, among which the Pays de Bray stands out for the variety of its territory. The today tour ends in Forges-les-Eaux, spa resort since the XVI century, included between the most beautiful destinations in France and home of the Casinò.
Overnight in Forges-les-Eaux.
The cycle path starts from the “city of iron and water” and follows the old railway track to reach the outskirts of Dieppe. The landscape is still the one of the thriving Pays de Bray dotted with farms whose products supply the markets in Normandy and Paris, and castles such as Mesnières-en-Bray, one of the jewels of French Renaissance. In Dieppe embarkation for the crossing of the Channel.
Overnight in Newhaven.
Once arrived in England, we will begin the bike stage to reach the immaculate and rugged cliffs of the South Downs on which we ride towards Brighton, that with its sparkling pier, its cafes and the charming old town is now a popular destination for British people in summer. After the vivacity of the coast, the mysteries of the Devil’s Dyke are waiting for us, among the rolling hills of Sussex: a legendary valley said to have been dug by the Devil. Our destination today is the town of Crawley, reachable through the Tilgate Forest.
Overnight in Crawley.
The last cycling day is the return to modernity: we will enter the county of Surrey that, cause to its proximity, is influenced by the metropolis of London concerning the population and infrastructure. The entry into the city is however gradual; the river Wandle takes us to the River Thames, through the countryside on the North Downs and several parks, to lead us into the heart of London, where the final destination of this amazing and fascinating tour is the Westminster Abbey.
Overnight in London.
After breakfast end of the tour.
Jul 12, 26; Aug 9, 23, 2015
Individual arrival in London and accommodation in hotel. At about 7 p.m. welcome meeting and delivery of the bikes.
After breakfast this amazing cycle tour leads you from the heart of London along the River Thames and then the river Wandle through several parks and the countryside till Coulsdon. From here you’ll take a train transfer (about 1 hour) to Brighton with its sparkling pier, cafes and the charming old town is now a popular destination for British people in summer. The next stage to Newhaven runs along the immaculate and rugged cliffs of the South Downs.
Overnight in Newhaven.
In the morning you will take a ferry across the Channel from Newhaven to Dieppe. After your arrival in Dieppe at about 3 pm, you’ll have time for a circular tour in the area surrounding Dieppe or relax on the beach.
Overnight in Dieppe.
Today you leave the coast and the sea to cycle along an old railway track. The landscape is now pastoral and dotted with farms whose products supply the markets in Normandy and Paris, and castles such as Mesnières-en-Bray, one of the jewels of French Renaissance. The cycle path ends at the “city of iron and water”. Overnight in Forges-les-Eaux, spa resort since the XVI century, included between the most beautiful destinations in France and home of the Casinò.
Overnight in Forges-les-Eaux
In the morning we leave Forges-les-Eaux cycling through the typical countryside and the rich landscapes of Eure and Seine-Maritime, among which the Pays de Bray stands out for the variety of its territory. The stage ends in Gisors, ancient medieval town wrapt in the mystery of the legend of the Templar Knights (the castle was their prison).
Overnight in Gisors.
Soon, after leaving Gisors you meet the river Epte, affluent of the Seine that marks the border of Normandy. Then you will cycle across the regional park of the Vexin Français, an area rich in ancient villages, castles and churches, to continue through the Oise valley that with its extremely bright landscapes was a source of inspiration for many paintings of Impressionists such as Daumier, Pissarro, Cézanne and Van Gogh (Wheatfield with Crows). The day ends cycling in the shade of the oaks and beeches of the St. Germain-en-Laye forest.
Overnight in Masisons Laffitte.
After breakfasts starts the last stage: from Maisons Laffitte, a few steps from the castle built on the banks of the Seine to host King Louis XIV after the hunt, a fine example of French Baroque, you will cycle first to the “Parc des Impressionistes” in Rueil-Malmaison, faithful evocation of Monet’s garden at Giverny that will fascinate us with its famous bridge, the colourful water lilies and rare bushes and then to Paris cycling along cycle paths, following the river Seine and its big loops.
Overnight in Paris.
After breakfast, the tour ends.
Bikes available to rent (must be reserved at time of booking) include:
Assisted pedal with rear engine 8FUN CST 250W and Panasonic battery of high quality. They also have the simplified monitoring of the assistance LED and the pedal sensor PAS, safety switch into the Tektro brake levers and puncture-resistant tires. If used correctly, the battery has an autonomy of 80 km and the maximum speed is 25 km / h.
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please ensure that it has a universal seat post.
Helmet rental is not available on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
