5 bike rides near Paris for a day getaway

Photo : Les Moustachus en vadrouille - La Veloscenie

You love Paris, but sometimes your heart (and your calves) crave something other than asphalt and honking?

Good news: less than an hour by metro/train or even directly from the city, Île-de-France offers a plethora of bike rides to change the air, scenery, and pace.

We’ve selected 5 bike routes near Paris for a day of escape on two wheels - some are loops, others one-way with a return by train.

1. Around Chantilly and Senlis: bike ride along the Nonette in Oise

• Loop of 28 km
• Departure: Chantilly-Gouvieux (TER)
• Route: Chantilly - Senlis - Chantilly

No, Chantilly is not just a mountain of whipped cream on a waffle. It is also (and above all) a gem of French heritage: a castle on the water, incredible art collections, the Great Stables, and a park where French gardens, Anglo-Chinese gardens, and an English garden meet (just that!).

Hello Bridgerton vibes.

Just 10 km away, step back 2000 years: head to Senlis, a medieval city classified as a "remarkable heritage site." With its walls and Gallo-Roman arenas, cobbled streets, cathedral, Saint-Pierre church, and museums: a deep dive into history is guaranteed.

Between the two towns, the Nonette river (yes, the name is as cute as its watercourse) guides your pedals through forests and small shaded roads. On the menu: old mills, former washhouses, and canals that still tell stories of yesteryear.

👉 Level: easy, even for those getting back on a bike.

👉 Tip: bring a sturdy lock, the terraces of Senlis are too tempting to leave the bike unattended.

See the Chantilly-Senlis bike route

2. The Forest of Rambouillet: nature escape by bike just steps from Paris

• Loop of 30 km
• Departure: Rambouillet (TER from Paris-Montparnasse)
• Route: Château de Rambouillet - Gazeran - Epernon - Château de Guéville - Rambouillet

Time for calm, large ponds, and avenues lined with centenary oaks.

Your loop starts in the English garden of the Château de Rambouillet, then you head towards the Guéville valley, in a lush and bucolic setting. Stop at the charming pond of Saint-Hilarion: a true countryside postcard!

Halfway, stop at Épernon, classified as a Small Town of Character located on the border of Île-de-France. The perfect spot for a coffee break or a picnic at the Diane viewpoint.

👉 Level: easy to moderate — a few hills, but nothing insurmountable, even without pro cyclist calves.

See the Rambouillet bike route

3. The Marne Valley: a day of cycling by the water

• 30 km (one way, return by RER A)
• Departure: Paris (Bercy / Bastille depending on your starting point)
• Route: Paris – Nogent-sur-Marne – Joinville-le-Pont – Champigny – Champs-sur-Marne

We head straight from Paris, following the Marne like a guiding thread to Champs-sur-Marne.

And what a thread! Between colorful barges, architectural and industrial heritage, and the famous guinguettes immortalized by Renoir, we find ourselves in a setting that is both vintage and vibrantly alive.

The banks of the Marne are also an exceptional natural space, with 25 islands — 3 of which are classified as a Departmental Nature Reserve.

You will pass through Nogent-sur-Marne and Joinville-le-Pont, famous for their musette balls, before heading towards Champigny and finally Champs-sur-Marne, with its castle and large gardens.

A dolce vita atmosphere à la française, ideal for forgetting the ring road and traffic jams.

👉 Level: ultra accessible — it’s flat, smooth, and perfect for those who just want to chill (and ride a bit) along the water.


👉 Tip: leave early in the morning to avoid the crowd of joggers, scooters, and strollers on the quays. And don’t forget the smart return: RER A allows bikes outside peak hours.

4. Around Giverny: impressionist bike ride between Seine and cliffs

• Loop of 32 km
• Departure: Vernon-Giverny station (TER from Paris Saint-Lazare)
• Route: Vernon – Monet's Gardens (Giverny) – La Roche-Guyon – Château de Vernon

Welcome to a life-size setting signed by Claude Monet. From Vernon, a pedal stroke is enough to reach Giverny and its famous gardens. The water lily pond, the Japanese bridges… you’ll feel like you’re riding in a painting.

The ride continues along the Seine to La Roche-Guyon, the only "Most Beautiful Village in France" in the Paris region, dominated by its castle carved into the cliff. A mandatory stop in front of its charming streets and perched keep.

On the way back, pass by the Château des Tourelles and the Old Mill of Vernon, before returning to the station for a ride on the rails. 👉 Level: easy
 👉 Tip: book your skip-the-line tickets for Monet's gardens online, so you can pedal rather than stand in line.

See the route around Giverny

5. From Fontainebleau to Moret-sur-Loing: royal escape by bike

• Loop 31 km
• Departure: Moret - Veneux-les-Sablons station (Transilien R)
• Route: Moret-sur-Loing – Fontainebleau Forest – Château de Fontainebleau – return to Moret

The departure is from Moret-sur-Loing, a royal town rich in architectural heritage, on the banks of the Loing.

With its half-timbered houses, pretty streets, colorful facades, and wrought iron signs, its stone bridge spanning the canal… the little town seems to come straight out of a movie set.

A few gems await you: the royal castle, the keep of Moret-sur-Loing, the Notre-Dame church, the Burgundy gate.

Have you taken in all the sights? It’s not over.

Next, head to the Château de Fontainebleau, Napoleon's favorite residence and a jewel of French heritage. Between history, nature, and small country roads, it’s the ideal getaway for a full day.

👉 Level: accessible
 👉 Tip: in Moret, treat yourself to a sweet break with the famous “Sucres d’orge de Moret”: a local specialty that gives you a little boost before catching the train.

Practical tips for your bike rides

• Equipment: a well-adjusted bike, a full water bottle, a small repair kit
• Safety: helmet recommended, even if you don’t like the mushroom look.
• Timing: leave early, you’ll enjoy the paths better and have some leeway for the return.
• No bike? Rent one from DolceVia

On your bike!

These 5 bike rides near Paris are perfect for escaping without too much planning for a day.