The Seine by bike: Paris - Le Havre

🚲 Take the handlebars for a cycling adventure from Paris to Hardricourt, a 65 km loop combining urban murals, historical footprints, and an impressionist atmosphere, offered by DolceVia.

🎨 The route begins along the Canal Saint-Martin and the Canal Saint-Denis, where graffiti and murals transform the banks into a giant open-air exhibition. A unique and artistic way to escape the Parisian hustle and bustle.

🖼️ Following the Seine, join the Route des Impressionnistes that will lead you to Île de Chatou. You can take a gourmet break facing the backdrop of the painting Le Déjeuner des Canotiers, seated on the terrace of the restaurant Les Rives de la Courtille, nestled in the charming Hameau Fournaise.

🏛️ Continue to Rueil-Malmaison to relive the glorious hours of Napoleon and Josephine. Then, traverse the majestic forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, and make a stop at Maisons-Laffitte to admire its castle, often referred to as the "Versailles of Yvelines."

⚓ Your ride will conclude peacefully in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, a key location in French river transport, before reaching the tranquility of the village of Hardricourt.

⏸️ Want a well-deserved rest? The gîte Les Glycines du Vexin welcomes you in a warm and comfortable setting, perfect for cyclists seeking relaxation after a busy day.

© Bridebook

🚴‍♂️ Embark on a 60 km bike ride between Hardricourt and Giverny, through bucolic landscapes, architectural gems, and sources of artistic inspiration. A unique immersion in the heart of Impressionism, between preserved nature and living works.

🏰 Start your adventure with a visit to the Château d’Hardricourt, a magnificent residence overlooking the Seine. Then, let yourself be carried away by the winding roads lined with orchards, gentle hills, and sunlit valleys.

🧺 Halfway through, take a gourmet break in the serene setting of the park of the Château de Rosny-sur-Seine: a perfect spot for a shaded picnic, surrounded by history and greenery.

🎨 As you approach Giverny, dive into the poetic world of Claude Monet. Visit his house and lush gardens at the Fondation Claude Monet, where the water lily ponds and flower-lined paths seem straight out of a masterpiece.

🖌️ Extend your artistic journey by discovering the Musée des Impressionnismes, dedicated to this innovative pictorial movement that captures the moment, light, and emotions with modernity.

🌸 To end this getaway gently, treat yourself to a restful night in the charming guesthouse La Pluie de Roses, nestled in the heart of nature, just minutes from Monet's gardens. An ideal haven of peace to recharge.

© France Guide Info

🚴‍♀️ Ride along a 56 km route combining breathtaking panoramas, medieval treasures, and cultural stops. This path takes you from the Impressionist landscapes along the Seine to the majestic cliffs of Normandy.

🏞️ Leave the charming village of Giverny and follow the valley towards the Andelys, dominated by the imposing silhouette of Château Gaillard. This military fortress, built by Richard the Lionheart in 1198, overlooks one of the most beautiful loops of the Seine. Climbing its ramparts offers you an exceptional view of the valley, Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, and the Clock Tower.

⛰️ Continue your journey through a grand landscape: the limestone cliffs that dominate the river's meanders create a setting that is both wild and poetic, perfect for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.

⚓ Next, discover the authentic charm of Poses, an old boatmen's village bordered by a peaceful, flower-filled towpath. Take the time to explore this haven of peace at the water's pace.

🌳 Treat yourself to a relaxing break at the Léry-Poses Park or embark on a discovery of exotic wildlife at Biotropica, a large tropical greenhouse located near the lake, ideal for both young and old.

🎨 Art lovers will appreciate a detour to the Gallery by the Seine of Michèle Ratel. This gallery, nestled in a garden by the water, celebrates the play of light and the moving reflections so dear to post-impressionists.

🚢 To dive into the local river history, don't miss the Museum of River Navigation, which tells the story of the boatmen and the importance of navigation in the region.

🌸 To end this stage gently, rest at the Gîte Les Jardins de Félicie, a charming house in Poses, surrounded by greenery and by the water. A peaceful setting for a restorative night.

© Eureka Attractivité

🚴‍♂️ Take this 45 km route between Poses and Rouen, where the banks of the Seine, historical treasures, and bucolic landscapes intertwine. Each pedal stroke brings you closer to a millennia-old city, crossing places filled with emotions and history.

🏰 Shortly after departure, stop at Pont-de-l’Arche, a charming medieval town with cobbled streets and intact authenticity. Nearby, don’t miss the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Bonport, a 12th-century Cistercian gem nestled by the river, discreet yet captivating.

🧵 Further along, discover the rich textile past of Elbeuf through La Fabrique des Savoirs, an exciting museum with free entry. Also take the opportunity to visit the Cirque-Théâtre d’Elbeuf, a rare historical monument and one of the last permanent circuses still in operation in France.

⛰️ Following the towpath, you will pass by magnificent chalk cliffs sculpted by the meanders of the Seine. Don’t miss a stop at the semi-troglodyte church of Orival, carved into the rock: a unique place where nature and spirituality blend.

🌲 Then cross the La Londe-Rouvray state forest, a vast green lung offering a moment of freshness before arriving in the city. An ideal setting to recharge under the tall trees.

🕍 You finally reach Rouen, the "city of a hundred bell towers." Stroll among its half-timbered houses, admire the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, the famous Gros-Horloge, and dive into the history of Joan of Arc at the Historial Jeanne d’Arc.

🌙 To end this day gently, relax in the natural and eco-friendly setting of 3 Daliphard, a peaceful haven located just a few minutes from Rouen.

© Camping le Brévedent

🚴‍♂️ Set off on a beautiful 55 km bike ride between Rouen and Jumièges, in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Boucles de la Seine Normande. This route invites you to discover a landscape of calm meanders, abundant orchards, and typical villages bathed in light. 🌊 As you leave Rouen, follow the course of the Seine to the majestic castle of Robert the Devil, perched on its rocky promontory. This historic site offers a spectacular panorama of the valley and the curves of the river. 🌿 The road then takes you through fields and forests. Take a break in the gardens of the Château de Soquence, then continue to La Bouille, a charming village with colorful houses, favored by Impressionist painters. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a drink on the terrace, facing the water. 🍽️ 🧺 Halfway through, settle on the quays of Bas-Caumont for a peaceful picnic, between white cliffs and old quarries. The sight of passing barges adds a touch of calm and serenity. 🍏 Get back on the road on the famous Route des Fruits, lined with apple trees, pear trees, and small red fruits. Enjoy roadside sales to taste fresh products directly from local producers, proud of their fruit-growing expertise. 🏛️ Make a stop at the Château du Taillis, a magnificent 18th-century residence surrounded by a vast park. The estate also houses a museum dedicated to World War II. ⛪ Your day ends in Jumièges, where the spectacular Abbaye de Jumièges welcomes you with its monumental arches open to the sky. Nicknamed "the most beautiful ruin in France," it perfectly embodies the beauty and power of Romanesque art. 🌙 For a charming night, book a room at the Domaine Le Clos des Fontaines, a refined address with a spa, located just steps from the abbey. The perfect place to relax after a day full of discoveries. © Abbaye de Jumièges

🚴‍♂️ Leaving Jumièges and the grand shadow of its abbey – which Victor Hugo called “the most beautiful ruin in France” – you continue your adventure on La Seine à Vélo along an old railway line transformed into a greenway, connecting Caudebec-en-Caux to Barentin.

🌳 Today's stage is gentle, lined with trees and dotted with charming villages in the Seine Valley. You will soon arrive at Caudebec-en-Caux, a peaceful riverside town that invites contemplation. Here, the river, the quays, and the alleys provide a perfect setting for a well-deserved lunch break in one of the restaurants in the center, facing the Seine.

🏛️ Before setting off again, don’t miss the MuséoSeine: this contemporary museum traces the life, trades, and history of the river, from the Middle Ages to the present day. A lively immersion into the riverine world of Normandy.

📖 Following the flow of the water, you will soon reach Villequier, a village with authentic charm. It is here that the daughter of Victor Hugo, Léopoldine, rests, and where you can visit the Maison Vacquerie, now the Victor Hugo Museum. The poetic and romantic atmosphere that permeates this place leaves no one indifferent.

🏺 Just a few more kilometers, and you will reach Lillebonne, formerly known as Juliabona during the Gallo-Roman period. Here, you can discover the impressive remains of a perfectly preserved ancient theater, a testament to the importance of this Roman city. The municipal museum will immerse you in this fascinating history through objects, sculptures, and reconstructions.

🌙 For a well-deserved rest, drop off your bags at the Manoir du Clap, an elegant residence nestled in a green setting near Lillebonne. Calm, refinement, and warm hospitality to conclude this stage between culture, nature, and memory.

© City of Lillebonne

🚴‍♂️ You are now following the Seine in its last kilometers, where the river gently widens before merging into the English Channel. This final stage of La Seine à Vélo takes you towards the ocean, with the portico of the port of Le Havre, the great suspension bridges, and the call of the open sea in sight.

🌉 Soon you will be under the monumental shadow of the Tancarville Bridge, suspended 123 meters above the Seine. This engineering feat was for a long time the only bridge connecting Rouen to Le Havre. Take the time to admire this architectural work, a testament to the great industrial ambitions of the 20th century.

🚲 The greenway continues along the Tancarville Canal. On your right, the cliffs; on your left, the fields and industrial facilities. This contrasting landscape, typical of the estuary, gives all its strength to this last straight line. In Sandouville, stop for a well-deserved lunch break at Gabion, a good local address to enjoy fish or Norman specialties in a simple and warm setting.

🏘️ The arrival in Le Havre is preceded by a detour through Harfleur, an ancient medieval town with preserved heritage. Its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and Gothic church form a picturesque last stop before the ocean.

🌊 And here is Le Havre! You enter a decidedly modern city. Rebuilt by Auguste Perret after World War II, the city center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don't miss:

• 🏠 The Perret Show Apartment: dive into the aesthetics and comfort of the 1950s. • 🖼️ The MuMa (André Malraux Museum): the second largest Impressionist collection in France, facing the sea. • 🎨 A Summer in Le Havre: all year round, about twenty XXL contemporary artworks transform the city into an open-air gallery.

🌅 End your journey with a stroll on the beach, a refreshing swim, or an ice cream on the seawall. You did it! 🌊🚴‍♀️

🌙 To conclude gently, settle in at La Petite Rade, a charming hotel located in the heart of Le Havre, perfect for savoring the last moments of your great Norman bike crossing.

© Normandie Resto

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