Cycle from London to Paris
Stunning French countryside en route from London to Paris
Added by: Jon
Region: Europe
Country: United Kingdom, France
Category: Cycling
Difficulty rating:
Demanding
Time required:
3 days
Cost estimate: £300 if you do it all yourself
Best time of year:
April - October
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Description:
From one great city to another...London to Paris is a classic road bike challenge.
There are several key decisions you need to make if taking on this challenge:
1. Organised or not? Several companies run organised events that follow various routes from London to Paris, but you'll have to pay them of course. There are lots of charities which also organise London to Paris events. With those you'll have to raise a sponsorship fee, usually upwards of £1,000. It is really not that hard to organise the trip yourself. All you need is a couple of maps and the internet!
2. How many days? This depends on how fit / crazy you are! It can be done in 24hrs if you are mostly super-human and don't need sleep. Most people take 3-5 days and cover 80-100 miles a day.
3. Which route? As you can imagine, there are plenty. Much will depend on where you want to cross the English Channel as there are several possible ferries between the English South Coast and France. There is also the Eurotunnel (not the Eurostar), which you can put your bikes on for a bargain £16 (http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehicles/bicycles/). It runs Folkestone to Calais.
Getting out of London as quickly as possible and finding some nice Kent countryside is definitely recommended.
Once in France, you'll soon find yourself zipping through gorgeous French countryside and through quaint little villages.
Getting in to Paris can be tricky and avoiding motorways can be easier said then done. So if you really look hard at one bit of the route before setting-off make sure this is it.
4.Where to stay? There are some great cycle-friendly hostels and hotels along popular routes, but they do book-up quickly in the warmer months of the year, so plan ahead! If you are going through larger towns (e.g. Amiens) then Ibis hotels offer good value and clean accommodation, with a decent breakfast to fuel you for the road.
5. When to go? As long as it is not lashing it down with rain or freezing cold you can do this at any time of year. The summer months are the most popular, but it can also get very hot!
6. How to get home? Most people get the Eurostar back. Make sure you book the bikes on when you buy your ticket.
Obviously there's a few other things to consider like what to take and who to go with (answers: as little as possible and people you get on well with!).
It's a great challenge, you see some stunning scenery en-route and you get to have a knees-up in Paris at the end of it!
Another possible London to Paris cycle route
Take your bikes on the Eurotunnel
LD Lines apparently take bikes on the Newhaven - Dieppe route
There are several key decisions you need to make if taking on this challenge:
1. Organised or not? Several companies run organised events that follow various routes from London to Paris, but you'll have to pay them of course. There are lots of charities which also organise London to Paris events. With those you'll have to raise a sponsorship fee, usually upwards of £1,000. It is really not that hard to organise the trip yourself. All you need is a couple of maps and the internet!
2. How many days? This depends on how fit / crazy you are! It can be done in 24hrs if you are mostly super-human and don't need sleep. Most people take 3-5 days and cover 80-100 miles a day.
3. Which route? As you can imagine, there are plenty. Much will depend on where you want to cross the English Channel as there are several possible ferries between the English South Coast and France. There is also the Eurotunnel (not the Eurostar), which you can put your bikes on for a bargain £16 (http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehicles/bicycles/). It runs Folkestone to Calais.
Getting out of London as quickly as possible and finding some nice Kent countryside is definitely recommended.
Once in France, you'll soon find yourself zipping through gorgeous French countryside and through quaint little villages.
Getting in to Paris can be tricky and avoiding motorways can be easier said then done. So if you really look hard at one bit of the route before setting-off make sure this is it.
4.Where to stay? There are some great cycle-friendly hostels and hotels along popular routes, but they do book-up quickly in the warmer months of the year, so plan ahead! If you are going through larger towns (e.g. Amiens) then Ibis hotels offer good value and clean accommodation, with a decent breakfast to fuel you for the road.
5. When to go? As long as it is not lashing it down with rain or freezing cold you can do this at any time of year. The summer months are the most popular, but it can also get very hot!
6. How to get home? Most people get the Eurostar back. Make sure you book the bikes on when you buy your ticket.
Obviously there's a few other things to consider like what to take and who to go with (answers: as little as possible and people you get on well with!).
It's a great challenge, you see some stunning scenery en-route and you get to have a knees-up in Paris at the end of it!
Useful links:
A possible cycle route
Another possible London to Paris cycle route
Take your bikes on the Eurotunnel
LD Lines apparently take bikes on the Newhaven - Dieppe route
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