Paris by Bike: Along the Seine and Canals
From La Villette to the Bois de Vincennes, an urban loop along Canal Saint-Martin, the Seine embankments, and Parisian parks.
Two days cycling in Paris, following the water and the large parks rather than the tourist axes. The route starts at the Bassin de la Villette, a former industrial dock now used for summer swimming, follows the Canal Saint-Martin down through its nine locks, swing bridges and footbridges, joins the pedestrianised Seine quays facing Notre-Dame and the Ile Saint-Louis, then the Bois de Boulogne and its eight hundred and forty-six hectares with the Lac Inferieur and the Bagatelle garden, and finally the Bois de Vincennes and Lac Daumesnil. The lower Seine quays have been permanently closed to cars since 2016. Velib bikes are available everywhere, but the main boulevard lanes stay busy: stick to the riverbanks and park avenues.
Practical info
- Stops
- 5
- Duration
- 2 days
- Transport
- 🚲 Bike
- Distance
- ≈ 30 km
- Best time
- Spring and summer
Itinerary
- 1
Parc de la Villette
Depart au bassin de la Villette, ancien port industriel devenu lieu de baignade et de culture.
- 2
Canal Saint-Martin
Piste cyclable le long des ecluses, ponts tournants et platanes, ambiance de village.
- 3
Quais de Seine — Ile Saint-Louis
Voie sur berge pietonne, Notre-Dame en toile de fond et bouquinistes.
- 4
Bois de Boulogne
Foret urbaine de 846 ha, lac Inferieur et jardin de Bagatelle.
- 5
Bois de Vincennes
Plus grand espace vert parisien, lac Daumesnil et parc floral.
