From the Capital to the Coast- Paris to Dieppe is a fantastic route I’ve done numerous times and one I’ll keep doing time and time again. While it's commonly used for Paris-to-London adventures, it's also a great standalone day trip. The route takes a straight shot out of Paris, heading up the Champs-Élysées and continuing toward the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. There's a short, very minor gravel section through the forest that’s featured in all my rides in this direction

Chevreuse 101 features some of the key highlights of the area while trying to keeping the mileage manageable. The route takes a quick and direct exit from Paris, heading through Sèvres toward Versailles. While this isn’t the most scenic way out, it gives you more time to enjoy the Chevreuse Valley, which, in my opinion is well worth it. After climbing past the Buc Aqueduct, you roll across open fields before descending into Châteaufort and climbing back out. Then comes the de

This 60 km loop is a great option for any occasion — especially when you want to give someone a taste of Paris and the surrounding region. It’s similar to my Paris Hottest Hits route but features a few variations, particularly on the way out of the city including skipping the Champs-Élysées. The ride takes a more direct exit through the 15th arrondissement to get out of the city efficiently. After just 12 km, you’ll find yourself in the forested areas of Meudon and Verrières

Marne and More is an expanded option to the east that keeps you close to the city, mostly on bike paths and away from traffic. Typically, for 80 km rides, I head to Chevreuse — but sometimes you just want to switch things up. The route starts with a classic Marne loop for the first 25 km. Instead of heading into the Bois de Vincennes, you continue along the Marne for another 13 km until you cut south and tackle the first (and only) notable climb. After climbing up from the ri

Le Barn Hotel is located 50 km outside of Paris and offers a great retreat in the woods. It’s a perfect mid-ride stop, especially with their cyclist special — €7 for a coffee and an assortment of treats. I’ve previously featured a 100 km route, but this time I decided to create an extended version. The route heads toward Gif-sur-Yvette, following the classic route, which is a bit nicer than my original 100 km version. From there, you climb out of the valley to the south and m

Rambouillet is located just 50 km from the center of Paris and is a great destination full of history and beauty to explore by bike. This route heads out of Paris like any typical Chevreuse ride — along the quais and toward Bièvres. Once you reach the Chevreuse Valley floor, you continue until Gif-sur-Yvette, where you turn south and climb back out of the valley. From there, you cut across open fields until you reach the forest surrounding Rambouillet. There’s so much to expl

Rouen is the capital of the Normandy region, about 150 km northwest of Paris. Just follow the Seine toward the ocean, and you can't miss it. There is a large cathedral and in the winter a great Christmas market. This route heads out of Paris toward the Forêt Domaniale de Saint-Germain, which is a typical segment for the Paris-London ride. It then cuts back to follow the Seine around La Roche-Guyon. The view as you approach the river is one of my favorites — you look down from

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a 17th-century château about 50 km south of Paris, makes for a great long loop. It's worth visiting on its own, but even from the road, you can get a good view of the front. The route starts along the quai and follows a common path toward Fontainebleau. Heading south, you pass through some nice forest sections like Forêt de Sénart and Rougeau, then you cut east just before Melun. Around the 65 km mark, the château appears on your right after a clas

Mini Meudon is a great alternative to the classic Marne loop when you’re short on time or just in the mood for a quick ride. This 34 km loop takes less than an hour and a half and offers a refreshing escape from the city—even if only briefly. The route starts by heading out of Paris just like any ride toward Chevreuse or Bièvres, following the quai and climbing up through Clamart. But instead of continuing on, you take a right at the top of the Clamart climb and loop through

Mountainous Marne is a fun twist on the classic Marne loop—perfect when you're craving a bit more vert without committing to a longer day out. You start out as usual, cruising along the quai on the standard Marne route. But instead of settling for a single bonus climb, why not go for four? The ride kicks off with the two traditional climbs, warming up the legs, and then heads out a bit further with a climb to Sucy-en-Brie—the one you’d usually tackle on the way to Fontaineble

Chantilly—most notable for its cream, château, and horses—is also a fantastic cycling destination. While Chantilly is less than 50 km from central Paris, this route offers a more scenic ride with a calmer city exit and extra time in the forest. It’s a point-to-point ride with an easy train return, allowing you to make the most of a medium-length adventure without worrying about the ride back. The route begins by following Canal Saint-Martin to Canal de l’Ourcq, providing a de

If you haven’t been to Chartres, it’s a fantastic destination for a cycling trip—whether you're riding there, back, or both! The cathedral is truly spectacular, and according to UNESCO, it is "one of the most authentic and complete works of religious architecture of the early 13th century." I first discovered this route by taking the train out and riding back, but I designed this round-trip option for those looking for a longer ride. I’ve mapped it out to keep the route sligh

If you're short on time and looking for a refreshing route that changes things up, this loop is a great option. Many of my rides leave Paris through Meudon, but this one flips the direction and heads toward Versailles first instead. The ride starts along the quai until you reach Sèvres, where you veer right and enter the forest. From there, you descend into Versailles before cutting back toward Buc. When you reach the aqueduct, you ride underneath it and continue toward Jouy-

Northern routes out of Paris are less common for me, as I often find getting in and out of the city a bit of a hassle. When I do head in this direction, I prefer either a point-to-point ride with a train or a long enough loop that allows me to return via a different route. Once you make your way outside Paris, this route veers off the beaten path, offering an alternative less visited option to the more popular southern routes that I often choose. After leaving the city, you’l

Not every ride needs to be an epic adventure—sometimes, you just need an hour or two on the bike. This route is a perfect midweek outing that fits easily into a busy schedule. Starting along the left bank quai, the route takes you toward Pont de l'Alma, where you’ll cross the river and head toward the Bois de Boulogne. There, you’ll do a single loop of Longchamp—a classic Parisian cycling spot. If you’re looking for extra mileage, you can add as many laps as you like. You’ll

Meaux is a city located on the Marne River, about 40 km east-northeast of Paris. While it might not be on your travel list otherwise, it’s a great destination for cyclists. One of its highlights is the interesting Meaux Cathedral, a centuries-old structure that began construction in the 12th century but faced numerous delays, leaving only one of its towers completed. This route is a great option for a longer ride with minimal climbing. It begins by following the Canal de l'Ou

Fontainebleau is a fantastic destination for a ride from Paris. I’ve shared a few different routes on the blog before, including both one-way and round-trip options. This week's route is another one-way ride, but with added mileage and elevation to create a more adventurous experience. Unlike most Fontainebleau routes that follow the Marne out of Paris, this one starts like a ride to Chevreuse. You'll follow the Seine, climb Clamart, and make your way to Gif. From there, you'

100k up, down, and around the Chevreuse Valley, this route features climbs on both sides of the valley and, of course, my favorite climb, 17 Turns. Heading out of Paris, you follow the left bank quais, avoiding the tunnel. This is a standard route out through Clamart and Meudon. The only change is when you get to Igny, there is a better cut-through to the EDF campus. This is now my new normal, but many previous routes had an alternative slightly west. After you drop down into

This solid 79km route is a modified version of the Fairytale Route I have featured before but trims it down a bit for when you're looking for something under 100k. It takes you west, a bit south of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, through the fields and then loops back to Versailles for a classic finish. Heading out from Le Peloton Cafe, you make your way to Bois de Boulogne. I quite like this route where you take the left bank until Pont Alma and then cut over the Bois through Trocadé

La Roche-Guyon is a charming village located northeast of Paris on the banks of the Seine. Although small and not as well-known as other destinations, it boasts a unique 12th-century castle fortress and a château built into the limestone cliffs that are definitely worth seeing. This route takes you out of Paris to the château and then briefly back up the Seine, making it easy to catch a train back into the city. The journey begins by heading towards the Forêt de Saint-Germain