The Avenue verte London-Paris cycle route is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Not only does it link two superb capitals, it also allows you to discover other parts of each of the two countries. Here's everything you need to make your trip a success.
What is the London-Paris Avenue Verte?
As its name suggests, the Avenue Verte London-Paris is a cycle route linking London, in the UK, to Paris, in France. The route covers 470 km of signposted paths, mainly on greenways or roads with low car traffic. Along the way, the Avenue verte London-Paris by bike route passes through beautiful natural landscapes, villages, heritage sites and cities rich in culture. This makes it one of the most beautiful cycling itineraries from France. The route is not overly difficult, and has very few gradients, making it an excellent family cycling trip.
On the French side, there are two possible itineraries: one in the heart of the Oise valley, the other further west. If you're making a return trip, it's possible to follow one route in one direction, then the other in the other. As London is a destination that can be reached both by train and by bike from Paris, you can also make the return journey by Eurostar. You can then cross the Channel by ferry, before returning to the British capital in the saddle.
Detailed itinerary of the Avenue Verte London-Paris
Below you'll find the itinerary of the Avenue Verte London-Paris by bike, with the most common stages.
From Paris to Maisons-Laffitte
The Avenue Verte London-Paris by bike itinerary starts in front of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. You'll then cycle past some of Paris's most beautiful monuments. You leave the capital along the banks of the Seine to reach Maisons-Laffitte, which not only marks the end of this first stage, but also the point where the two French routes separate. This stage is 45 km long, representing around 3 hours of cycling. It's also possible to make a nice bike ride from Paris without continuing on the route.
First option in France: Maisons-Laffitte to Saint-Gemer-de-Fly via the Oise valley
This eastern route crosses Picardy and is the longer of the two. In total, it covers 137 km. However, this does not represent a single stage, as cyclists usually make several breaks along the way. The most common stages, which are not too long to allow time for sightseeing, are :
- Maisons-Laffitte to Auvers-sur-Oise: 28 km, approx. 1 hr. 50 min
- Auvers-sur-Oise to Senlis: 44 km, approx. 2 hrs. 50 mins
- Senlis to Pont-Sainte-Maxence: 17 km, approx. 1 hr
- Pont-Sainte-Maxence to Agnetz: 24 km, approx. 1 hr 40 min
- Agnetz to Beauvais: 25 km, approx. 1 hr 40 min
- Beauvais to Saint-Germer-de-Fly: 25 km
Second route option in France: Maisons-Laffitte to Saint-Gemer-de-Fly via Chaussy and Gisors
The second route option also starts from Maisons-Laffitte, but this time in the west, through normandy. This route is slightly shorter, at 103 km. Here again, it is common to divide it into several stages:
- Maisons-Laffitte to Chaussy: 49 km, approx. 4 hrs
- Chaussy to Gisors: 25 km, approx. 1 hr 40 min
- Gisors to Saint-Germer-de-Fly: 30 km, approx. 2 hrs
Saint-Gemer-de-Fly to Dieppe
The two routes meet again at Saint-Germer-de-Fly. There are then almost 90 km to go before reaching Dieppe and its ferry to England. In most cases, cyclists divide this stage of the London-Paris Green Route in two:
- Saint-Germer-de-Fly to Forges-les-Eaux: 30 km, approx. 2 hrs
- Forges-les-Eaux to Dieppe: 56 km, approx. 3 h 45 min
Dieppe to Newhaven
From Dieppe to Newhaven, take the ferry to the UK. The crossing is operated by the Syndicat Mixte de l'Activité Transmanche. It is of course possible to take your bike on board, at an additional cost. It will then take you 4 hours to leave the beaches of Normandy and reach the English coast.
From Newhaven to East-Grinstead
From Newhaven, you'll head for East-Grinstead, for a total of 83 km. You can divide this stage in two as follows:
- Newhaven to Heathfield: 43 km, approx. 2 hrs. 50 min
- Heathfield to East-Grinstead: 40 km, approx. 2 hrs. 40 mins
East-Grinstead to London
For the final stretch of this London-Paris Green Route by bike, the distance between East-Grinstead and London is 76 km long. Here again, it's common to complete the journey in two stages:
- East-Grinstead to Redhill: 32 km, approx. 2 hrs
- Redhill to London: 44 km, approx. 3 hrs
Tips for preparing the Avenue Verte London-Paris by bike
First of all, it's important to plan your itinerary according to your level and your desires. The route through the Oise valley is longer, but also richer in cultural discoveries, while the route through the West is shorter. You should also plan the length of your stopovers. If it's your first cycling trip, opt for short stages, between 30 and 80 km, and make plenty of stops. The same applies if you want to leave time for sightseeing at each stop: in this case, don't plan to spend too many hours on the road each day. On the other hand, if you're looking for a sporting challenge, plan longer stages, between 80 and 120 km per day, with few overnight stops. As far as physical preparation is concerned, it may be useful, especially if you're not familiar with cycling, to train gradually in the months leading up to the London-Paris Avenue Verte. And don't forget to pack the necessary equipment: panniers, patches, lighting, a few tools for repairing the bike, as well as a first-aid kit in case of injury and windproof clothing, even if you're doing this cycling trip in summer.
Also remember to book your accommodation in advance. This will certainly leave you less spontaneity when the time comes, but it will also free you from the burden of finding accommodation to your liking after a day's pedaling. In high season, this can be particularly useful as many establishments can be fully booked. There are different types of accommodation along the route: gîtes, hotels, campsites, guest houses, youth hostels... Remember to give preference to accommodation with the Accueil Vélo label, which indicates that they are equipped to receive cyclists.
Finally, consider the option of luggage transport. Some companies offer to collect your suitcase from your accommodation each morning and deliver it to where you'll be sleeping that evening. This allows you to travel light and still have all the equipment you need.
How long does it take to cycle the Avenue Verte from London to Paris?
Allow 3 to 7 days to complete the Avenue Verte London-Paris itinerary by bike. You can modulate the stages according to the pace you wish: 80 to 120 km per day for experienced cyclists, and 30 to 80 km per day for a more leisurely pace that will also allow you to take your time to visit each stage.
