Top Tips for Pedalling Around Paris

Unfortunately, Paris’ reputation for having bad traffic is well deserved, but with 440km of cycle paths around the city increasing numbers of residents are choosing bikes to help them get around.

That goes for lots of tourists too, and if you’re visiting Paris this summer you might find that a bike is a great way to tick off all the sights, without battling the traffic. There are more advantages to bikes than just manoeuvrability though, as you’ll help to keep the city’s emissions under control and get some exercise to boot!

It goes without saying that to cycle around Paris you’ll first need a bike. You can hire bikes by the hour, day or week in Paris from companies like the Fat Tire Bike Tour, or alternatively take advantage of Paris’ bicycle-sharing system, Vélib’, in which you only pay for the time that you actually use the bicycle.

Bike in the Boulogne

Once you’re equipped with some wheels, the leafy park Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement is a great place to start cycling. At two and a half times larger than New York’s Central Park you’ll need a few hours to explore properly, especially as there’s an amusement park and small zoo within the park too.

When you’d like to move on to some sightseeing, ride alongside the River Seine and then over the pedestrian bridge to Saint-Cloud Park, where you can enjoy some breath-taking panoramic views of Paris. If you’re visiting Paris with your partner, hire a tandem bike here for a fun and romantic experience.
You can also cycle in the Louvre Museum square, close to the famous glass pyramid, then head to the Place de la Concorde to zip around another large square that’s this time filled with historic monuments.

Conquer the Cars

It’s also worth noting that as part of the ‘Paris Respire’ (Paris Breathes) campaign, a number of roads and streets in Paris, including those along the River Seine, are closed to cars every Sunday. This leaves pedestrians, cyclists and rollerbladers free to enjoy the space without the usual bustling traffic.
To find cheap city breaks to Paris check out companies like Jet2.com, whose package deals start at low as £199 per person, and can be booked for just £60 deposit. Oh, and one more thing – make sure to always wear your helmet!