6 bike micro-adventures to enjoy summer (even without a vacation)

No vacation this summer? No worries. We pack our frustration in the front bag and set off on an adventure by bike.

Here are our favorite routes for a refreshing, eco-friendly, and frankly awesome weekend: 6 cycling weekends, tested and approved to disconnect, breathe... and sweat just the right amount.

1. Paris – Rambouillet: chill in the forest

Mood: green therapy

2-3 days | 84 km

Want to escape the Parisian pavement? Head to Rambouillet for a sweet interlude through Île-de-France. From Paris, you follow the Seine before crossing forests, parks, and valleys, like the Parc des Sceaux and the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse.

You’ll pass by castles (Rambouillet, but also Saint-Jean de Beauregard or the unmissable Versailles if you stray a bit), viaducts, and mills, as well as mini-cyclists on balance bikes.

It’s family-friendly, bucolic, and accessible—even for timid calves. We love arriving in Rambouillet, with its imperial castle and forest that smells of pine and picnics.

Why do we love it? To play “A Midsummer Night's Dream”... without leaving Île-de-France.

2. Paris – Lagny-sur-Marne: bicycle cruise

Mood: chill by the water

2 days | 58 km

A micro-adventure like a summer Sunday. We follow the Marne, stopping in charming little towns (Nogent, Bry, Le Perreux…), and meandering to Lagny.

The next day, a change of scenery: return by boat! Enjoy the greenery and tranquil life, with the birds singing to accompany the gentle lapping of the water while your bike takes a rest.

Between bursts of sunshine on the water, we discover hidden spots, and we finish beautifully at the Guinguette de l’Écluse, an iconic place along the Marne. You only have 18 km left by bike to return along the banks.

Back to Paris with a clear mind, a sun-kissed complexion, and no stress.

Why do we love it? Because biking + boating in the same weekend is almost a triathlon.

What do we bring? Roman Fleuve by Philibert Humm, to read between splashes.

3. Tours – Saumur: culture & Cabernet franc

Mood: between Cabernet, castles, and fairy tales

2-3 days | 85 km

Welcome to Loire à Vélo, the star of cycle tourism. On this stretch between Tours and Saumur, you’ll encounter vineyards and old stones, Balzac and bottles.

We zigzag between castles (Chinon, Ussé, Azay-le-Rideau for the motivated), troglodytes, vineyards, and wine cellars—consumed in moderation if you want to pedal straight!

And if you want to add a bit of poetry: Balzac, Rabelais, and contemporary art at the abbey of Fontevraud will keep you company between pedal strokes.

A guaranteed slow culture vibe.

And always, the Loire by your side. Promise, it never tires of you.

Why do we love it? Because it’s the only place where you can combine a wine cellar visit, the castle of Sleeping Beauty, and a picnic on the grass... at less than 20 km/h.

4. Paris – Fontainebleau: royal and wooded getaway

Mood: pedaling with flair

2 days | 108 km

A royal trip without a carriage.

It’s the classic getaway for Parisians wanting to “take a break,” but with DolceVia, we forget the car: let’s pedal to Fontainebleau. And surprise, it’s anything but boring: banks of the Seine, Corbeil mills, the cathedral of Saint-Spire, and Moret-sur-Loing, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France.

The arrival in Fontainebleau is idyllic: 20,000 hectares of preserved nature, equivalent to two and a half times Paris! We stop to listen to the songs of around 200 bird species. You might even spot a deer crossing without looking (respect the forest code).

A grand finale at the château de Fontainebleau and its gardens.

Why do we love it? Because it feels like you might run into D’Artagnan at any moment… which isn’t entirely impossible since The Three Musketeers was filmed here.

5. Paris – Épernay: the sparkling route

Mood: bubbles & beautiful roads

3-4 days | 152 km

A gentle ascent, between the meanders of the Marne, villages with sparkling names (Hautvillers, Damery, Ay…), and roads that smell of ripe grapes.

We land in the heart of bubbles: Épernay, the capital of champagne. We ride, we admire, we toast (in moderation, of course).

At the end? Tired legs, joyful heart.

Why do we love it? Because it’s the only chance to earn your champagne through the strength of your calves. And that’s classy.

6. Alençon – Le Mans: the Vélobuissonnière or the art of escaping the city

Mood: rural & (very) far from Slack alerts

2 days | 110 km

The Vélobuissonnière is the little-known gem of cycle tourism. Between Alençon and Le Mans, we are right on the perfect stretch for a micro-adventure that breathes the sweetness of life.

A departure at the foot of the Alpes mancelles (hello Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France), landscapes that oscillate between hedgerows, hills, and rivers, and above all… tranquility. On the road, we encounter bits of history: castles, medieval villages, old mills, stone bridges, cobbled streets, and hidden churches.

The path is safe, well-marked, and ideal for those who dream while pedaling (or pedal while dreaming).

Why do we love it? Because we can finally say “I’m skipping Paris” for a true buissonnière.

And what if we don’t have a bike?

No problem. DolceVia outfits you from its shop in Paris: bike rental and even bike return wherever you want in France, for a 100% stress-free return.

Our team can also organize your cycling trip from start to finish: smart itinerary, accommodation, assistance... You pedal, we handle it.

This summer, we can do without Mykonos

Bye-bye airplane and summer blues. Hop on your bike, bring a friend, a good picnic, and set off to discover your region at 20 km/h.

It’s good for the planet, for your thighs, and for your fierce desire for freedom.