Castle's route - from Fontainebleau to Versailles

Cycling trip between Fontainebleau and the Palace of Versailles

If you don't yet know Ile-de-France by bike, you might be surprised. The rich heritage and culture of this region will leave you with a remarkable impression between historic towns and emblematic castles. Your cycling trip begins in Fontainebleau and ends on the Véloscénie route.
You drive through the heart of the countryside of the Paris basin through imperial forests and charming villages.

Points of interest during the stay:

• the castles of Vaux-le-Vicomte, Fontainebleau and Versailles
• the imperial forest of Fontainebleau
• the edge of the Seine by bike
• the Chevreuse valley
• the royal city of Dourdan

Day 1: Arrival in Fontainebleau

This is the starting point for your cycling trip. Arrival at the first accommodation in Fontainebleau or Melun in a charming hotel or guest room.
You are not far from Paris and yet you breathe the country air. More than a city, Fontainebleau offers a whole country with an impressive historical heritage and of course the imperial forest of 22,000 ha of unspoiled nature. The town of Melun is located at the gates of the forest and on the banks of the Seine. It has a river port, parks and gardens.

Day 2: On the road to the castles of Vaux-le-Vicomte, Blandy and Fontainebleau - 57 km

Your first bike tour guides you along the banks of the Seine towards the castle of Vaux le Vicomte and its formal gardens. You cross Melun and its river port to continue to the fortified castle of Blandy, a vestige of medieval French military architecture. You then ride on small country roads along the Seine by bike.
Visit the medieval villages of Fontaine le Port and Samois-sur-Seine before reaching the park of the Château de Fontainebleau by a cycle path.

Day 3: Fontainebleau - Etampes / 55 km

Pedal through the imperial forest of Fontainebleau enjoying its flora and fauna to the village of Barbizon, cradle of Impressionism. On this cycle route, discover the village of Dannemois where the singer Claude François lived. The last stage takes you to Etampes, a town of art and history with its many religious buildings including the Notre-Dame collegiate church.

Day 4: Etampes - Rambouillet / 55 km

The bike trip continues on the Véloscénie route towards the Rambouillet forest on a cycle path along the river. You drive on charming country roads to the royal town of Dourdan, the gateway to the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse regional natural park. Take the opportunity to visit this historic city.
Your cycle route ends in the heart of the Rambouillet forest, opposite its castle between Versailles and Chartres.

Day 5: Rambouillet - Palace of Versailles / 50 km

You are in the heart of the Chevreuse valley on this route. Pass through villages of character, countryside and woods before reaching the Palace of Versailles, a World Heritage Site. It is one of the finest achievements of French art and the residence of Louis XIV.

Day 6: End of your cycling trip on the Véloscénie

Your stay ends after breakfast.

General informations :

• 6 days and 5 nights
• Accommodation comfort level: 3 and 4 * (local standards)
• Prices for children: contact us.

The dates :
 
Achievable between April and October 2022.
 
Included :

• Self-guided online tour
• Assistance in the event of a breakdown (except puncture).
• Luggage transfer at each stage
• A travel file (the road book in French or English with color maps and tourist documentation)

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program.

The options :

• VTC or VAE rental
• GPS navigation with smartphone application (audio and visual), in addition to the traditional road book: + 10 euros per person
• Extra night (s)
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• cancellation insurance

Levels:
 
1 2 3 4 5 6
 
Weather :
 
Soft sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.
 
Technicality:
 
Cycling: 50 to 57 km per day or 4 to 5 hours of cycling per day
Partly marked itinerary, useful roadbook and map reading.
 
Accommodation:
 
The hotels are 3 * and 4 * with rooms equipped with shower and toilet.
 
Additional nights:
 
An additional night is offered to you at the start and end of the tour.
 
Meal :
 
- Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice)
- Lunch: not included
- Dinner: not included.
 
The bike :
 
- Rental bicycle: If you rent a bicycle, it will be given to you on the day of your arrival at the 1st hotel. A security deposit will be requested.
At the end of the tour, you will have to leave this bike at the last accommodation and notify reception. We will take care of his return.
We offer specific equipment for children, seats, small hitched bikes and trailers.
 
- Personal bike: We do not recommend bicycles with small tires. Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bicycle before setting off.
At the end of the tour, you will have to take care of your own bicycle. If you have rented a bicycle, it will be picked up at the hotel.
 
Assistance:
 
- Assistance in case of breakdown (except punctures for which we do not intervene)
- In case of bad weather or if you cannot cycle for one day, possibility of a direct journey to the next stage (paid service).
 
Luggage:
 
They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage per person (max. 20 kg).
 
Roadbook :
 
We will provide you with detailed maps and a description of the routes when you arrive at the first hotel. We will also provide you with vouchers for hotels and restaurants as well as luggage tags.
 
Transport:
 
- By train: RER from Paris
- By road: Take the ring road from Paris, 40mn journey.
 
 
Cancellation insurance :
 
In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.