The sunny days are coming and the desire to go green often accompanies them! To get around while respecting the environment, what could be better than a bicycle? If you are not a convinced cyclist, it is quite possible to opt for the train over long distances. Having a bike on site will allow you to reach another station to come back and avoid a round trip! On board French trains, folding bicycles can be carried free of charge as hand luggage (see Cyclable's file on the folding bike). Otherwise, spaces are reserved for them in the TGV for 10 €, with reservation. A much more economical and convenient tip than car rental! Here are our 8 favourite destinations for train + bike from Paris
The castles of the Loire, a royal itinerary
It is in the Loire that we meet the most cyclists in France. This success is undoubtedly due to the famous castles along the road! To reach Blois from Paris, we advise you to travel on board the Intercités or TER of the Paris Austerlitz - Orléans - Tours line. Without any reservation and free of charge, you can board the train and then pedal for an hour to reach Chambord Castle
Burgundy, nature break
The greenway network is very developed in Burgundy, so you can easily discover its vineyards and gentle hills by bike. From Paris, the Paris-Dijon TER allows you to go to Burgundy in 3 hours. Tip: check whether or not you have a bike logo on the timetable and avoid rush hours at the risk of being asked to leave your bike in the station! For the return, you can take the train from Auxerre station.
Normandy and Mont Saint-Michel
Do you know about Veloscénie? This tourist and cultural itinerary takes you to two of France's most emblematic places: Paris and Mont Saint-Michel. In total, there are more than 450 km of cycle paths or greenways punctuated by TER stations to allow you to move forward in case of fatigue! The nearest station to Mont Saint-Michel is located in Pontorson, 10 km from the monument. To reach Paris, it is possible to take a train to Caen where a connection is provided.
East by bicycle
To reach Alsace by bike, you can use the 100% eco-friendly Intercités which, in addition to being particularly economical, offer a space reserved for two-wheelers at weekends. These trains operate between Paris and Strasbourg or Nancy. Also consider controlling the site of the German railways, the Deutsche Bahn, which sometimes offers other alternatives. Once you arrive in Alsace, 2,500 km of greenways in the heart of the vineyards or the steep Vosges mountains will be waiting for you!
From Bordeaux to Arcachon, between dunes and pine forests
The landscapes pass by and are never the same between Bordeaux and the Arcachon basin. We discover the urban heritage of one of the most attractive cities in France, but also the famous vineyards of the Gironde and of course the monumental dune of Pilat! After climbing its 110 m, you will not regret your efforts as the view is breathtaking. From Paris, TGV trains make it possible to reach Bordeaux by bicycle. For the return trip, think of Arcachon station
Brittany along the canal
The canal from Nantes to Brest is the backbone of Brittany, stretching over 365 km and crossing the region at its heart. This walk along the river and its many locks will take you to picturesque villages such as Malestroit or Rohan. You will also pass by monuments of Breton heritage such as the medieval castle of Josselin. The TGV from Paris to Nantes, and from Brest to Paris for the return trip, allow you to take your bike with you for an extra €10.
The surroundings of Paris
To escape Paris during the sunny days, many possibilities are possible! Please note that bicycles are allowed to travel free of charge on the Transilien network, from Monday to Friday before 6.30 am, between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm and after 7.30 pm. On weekends, there are no time restrictions. The ideal solution is to opt for a folding bike, which is much more practical when travelling. Our favorite walk is located in Chantilly, in the regional natural park Oise - Pays de France. This immense forest is a real breath of fresh air only 30 minutes from the RER train and a few pedals!
ViaRhôna, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea
ViaRhôna allows you to discover the Rhone Valley from the Swiss Alps to Sète or Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, in the Camargue. This 815 km journey can be completed by the most experienced cyclists in one week. It crosses the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône, the lavender fields and the perched villages of Provence before reaching the beaches of the Mediterranean. The Lyria TGV trains allow you to book a bicycle space at the price of €10 to reach Geneva from Paris. To return, take the train from Sète station. A connection in Montpellier is provided for Paris
For more information, discover all the cycling routes from Paris and the other cities of France on the AF3V website.
