Europe is a little paradise for cycling enthusiasts. Among the many routes available, one connects two of Europe's greatest capitals: the London-Paris® Avenue Verte. This route takes travelers through a mosaic of landscapes, on both the French and English sides, and is an ideal getaway for nature lovers. You will also discover remarkable buildings and cities that have been influenced by great artists. And then there is the time of departure and arrival, where you will obviously not fail to enjoy the two incredible cities of London and Paris. Both metropolises sparkle with their architectural heritage and cultural offerings. So for those who want to have a great time on a bike with many surprises and diverse experiences, the London-Paris® Avenue Verte is definitely one of the routes to choose.
What is the Avenue Verte London-Paris®?
The Avenue Verte London-Paris® is the name of a 470 km long European cycling route that links London to Paris. On both the French and English sides, the cycle route includes greenways, cycle paths, but also low-traffic shared roads with or without cycling facilities. The route is signposted, so it is very easy to find your way. If theLondon-Paris® Green Avenuelinks two internationally renowned European capitals, it is mainly charming countryside landscapes that are revealed during the ride. You will discover the relaxing atmosphere of the Oise and Seine valleys, the preserved nature of the French Vexin Regional Natural Park, large forest areas, the green panoramas of the Pays de Bray and Normandy, before entering the discreet charm of the English countryside once you cross the English Channel between Dieppe and Newhaven. Beyond nature, the London-Paris® Greenway also includes time to contemplate and visit medieval, Renaissance and Gothic castles, cathedrals, museums and other local heritage gems. Of course, everyone can take the route in the direction that suits them best.
The Avenue Verte London-Paris® also offers services that have been awarded the Accueil Vélo label, a national mark that guarantees a high quality welcome, services and facilities along the itinerant cycling routes. This means that travelers have the opportunity to stop at accommodations, restaurants and places of interest that make every effort to welcome cyclists in the best possible way. There are also tourist offices where you can stop to get valuable advice on possible visits and activities. Finally, there are bike rental and repair shops for those who need to fix a flat tire, tighten a brake or change a chain on the way. As you can see, everything has been planned so that the cycling tour is done in optimal conditions. So you can leave with peace of mind and just enjoy.
It should also be noted that the French part includes two variants between Paris and the municipalities of Cergy and Saint-Germer-de-Fly. One passes along the banks of the Oise and crosses the Picardy region, while the other offers an immersion along the valley of the Epte, in the heart of the French Vexin. One thing is certain, both walks offer their share of wonders to discover.
Across the Channel, the London-Paris® Greenway begins with the discovery of the breathtaking white cliffs of the Seven Sisters, which fall steeply to the beaches and clear waters of the sea. The greenway on the old Cuckoo Trail railroad is another beautiful bike ride, offering many views of rolling countryside. Then comes the Worth Way, which after a natural section gives way to more urbanized landscapes. One feels inevitably that Greater London is getting closer, and that the boiling capital is within reach.
Focus on the part of the route between Paris and Dieppe
Whether you decide to cross the English Channel to London or focus on the French portion of the London-Paris® Avenue Verte, the Paris-Dieppe route has its share of interesting sites. The adventure begins in the vicinity of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. We then cross the Street Art Avenue along the Canal-Saint-Denis and take the opportunity to contemplate the incredible frescos. We continue then with the other sites of interest which are the castle of Malmaison in Rueil-Malmaison, the island of the impressionists in Chatou in Yvelines and the castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The departure of the Avenue Verte London-Paris® from the French capital is an opportunity to see nuggets that we sometimes ignore that they contribute to the influence of the Île-de-France.
Once you arrive in Cergy, you have a choice: those who decide to go through the banks of the Oise River will stop in Auvers-sur-Oise to follow the footsteps of Van Gogh. The whole village cultivates the memory of the famous painter. We then continue to the castle of Chantilly which houses important collections of books and paintings and has a remarkable architecture. Its park, its large stables... the domain is superb and we also have regularly the possibility to participate in a cooking workshop around the famous Chantilly cream. The next part of the trip is the discovery of the Gallo-Roman enclosure of Senlis, then later, the crossing of the vast wetland of the Sacy marsh and the bucolic countryside between the Thérain valley and the Picard plateau. Those who decide to go through the Epte valley to reach Saint-Germer-de-Fly are not left out. After having crossed the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, it is the Regional Natural Park of the French Vexin which reveals its preserved landscapes. We cross the green and flowery countryside of the Norman territory. One can also enjoy many architectural wonders along the way with notably the priory of the Benedictines Saint-Niçaise and the Gisors castle, an ancient fortified castle built between the end of the 11th and the 16th century. From Gisors to Saint-Germer-de-Fly, there is a good dose of nature with the wooded hills of the Vexin, the limestone hillsides and other wet meadows.
Once you reach the town of Saint-Germer-de-Fly, the Avenue Verte London-Paris® promises to be rural until you reach the former spa town of Forges-les-Eaux. The landscapes that follow reveal orchards, hedgerows and the idyllic countryside of the Pays de Bray Normand, animated by cows. Later on, following an old railroad that has become a greenway, the sea air becomes more and more noticeable, until you catch a glimpse of Dieppe, its harbor, and the impressive limestone cliffs of the Alabaster Coast.
Countryside, heritage, seaside, the London-Paris® Green Avenue is an itinerary rich in discoveries. A sweet moment to live alone, with family or friends. A great opportunity to marvel at some of the many treasures that separate two of the greatest capitals of the European continent
