Start: Paris Finish: Amsterdam
Your holiday starts in Paris, ‘The City of Lights’. There is so much to see and do here: stroll along the river banks of the Seine or the Montmartre district or visit the famous attractions such as the Sacre Cœur Basilica, the Notre Dame cathedral, the Louvre museum with the Mona Lisa and of course the Eifel Tower.
! Bikes are not allowed on the train from Amsterdam to Paris (or vice versa). We therefore strongly recommend to book this trip with rental bikes, so you can leave the rental bikes at the hotel in Amsterdam at the end of the trip.
Today you start cycling! Exiting the capital along the Canal de l’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Martin really allows us to dive into a history book, an open-air museum.
On the first 30 kilometers from Paris to Gressy, the route follows the nice cycle track of the Canal de l’Ourcq, a rural setting away from cars, for a safe exit out of Paris.
As you get closer to Senlis you will encounter forests and true nature as you reach the region “Ile de France”: guaranteed change of scenery with these great pines and this sandy soil in the Landes, south west of France.
The program of the day: Prestigious castle, medieval towns and large forest area!
Chantilly is world renowned for its castle (sometimes compared to a castle of the Loire), its Great Stables, its porcelain, its lace and its gastronomy (yes the famous cream Chantilly would have been invented here)
An ancient foundation, a royal residence during the Middle Ages, the charming city of Senlis preserves its rich history and has several museums. Its protected environment of 40 ha is particularly appreciated by filmmakers.
After crossing the forest of Halatte you cross the "plateau" of Nery but the slope is soft! You pass close to Béthisy-Saint-Pierre which is worth a detour.
After going down the Automne river which gave its name to this valley, called the 35 bell-towers, today’s journey ends the in the forest of Compiègne. A large town bordering the forest, a palace opening towards wooded immensities, these are the first impressions that Compiègne leaves. The city, furrowed by charming and shopping streets, has museums with varied collections.
In the morning, we recommend to make the abbey of Ourscamp your first stop of the day. The route continues along the canal, toward Noyon. Noyon is listed as a city of Art and History: medieval atmosphere around the cathedral which saw the coronation of Hugues Capet in 987.
Further along the route, you cross vast natural areas with more than 200 species of birds and cycle through the fertile valley of the Oise before you reach Saint Question. Discover its streets with Art Deco houses, the details of which deserve to be spotted. It is the style adopted during the rebuilding of the city, which was hardly destroyed during the Great War and once again became a dynamic city, the economic capital of Haute Picardie.
The route in the morning takes you towards the Touage Museum, through small hilly roads between villages devoted to agriculture and memorial sites of the Great War: cemeteries, memorials and vestiges of the Hindenburg line. A few pedaling strokes and you pass the sources of l’Escaut, the famous river that you follow for kilometers and whose course flows into the North Sea in Netherlands. In the Haute Vallée de l’Escaut lies a jewel: the abbey of Vaucelles (XII century). As it is presented to you today, the abbey remains an unusual construction both in its dimensions and the quality of its restoration.
Passing through typical villages and hamlets, you reach the town of Cambrai, peaceful city of Art and History. Take advantage of it to discover its streets, where half-timbered houses, rich private mansions, Flemish mansions mingle with pleasure. And don't leave without having tasted the famous "Bétises de Cambrai" or other local specialties!
This day offers a pleasant ride through to the Parc Naturel Régional Scarpe-Escaut, the first French regional park. Here, Belgium and France link with the barges on Escaut river, between lands and waters where you pedal through to the forests, marshes and ponds populated with various species. You will discover the mining villages classified by UNESCO, the agricultural landscapes, but also the beautiful city of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, thermal station, near Valenciennes.
While leaving the 5 bell-towers of Tournai behind you, today you will leave Wallonia and enter the province of Flanders. Down the road do try one of the most famous Belgian local products "Geraardsbergse mattentaart", a pie with an ancient history of making. The river Scheldt is still your guide as you cycle to the old town of Oudenaarde (AD 974). Also center of the famous classic cycle race "Ronde van Vlaanderen". The former towing paths along the banks have been transformed to smooth cycle paths, occasionally leafy and then through the open fields of Flanders. At the end of the day the sparkling cultural city of Ghent is waiting for you. The Belgians call Ghent their most beautiful city and the city will undoubtedly charm you.
Cycling North, along the banks of the river Scheldt you will start on the LF5 as you leave Ghent and cycle towards Dendermonde. The bushes and polders show the wild and pure nature here. The wide Schelde is not only a natural, but also a tourist attraction.
By switching to the LF2 Cities Cycle Route you head towards Antwerp. It’s the largest town in Flanders and Belgium’s most important port city. After viewing the historical town center, you might like to venture to the hip and trendy parts of the city: ‘t Zuid and Het Eilandje. Have you worked up a thirst for Belgian beer? Consider visiting De Koninck beer brewery. It has been going strong since 1833 and has a new visitors centre welcoming guests wishing to look around and do some tasting. This brewery is best known for its ‘Bollekes’.
The landscape along today’s cycling route is predominantly woody. On the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, catch your breath in De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide, a lovely cross-border nature reserve. Upon crossing the border, you will find yourself in the south of the Netherlands. In village after village, Brabant hospitality will entice you to stop for a cup of coffee and big slice of fruit tart.
Today’s destination is Breda, the main city of Nassau in Holland, boasting many imposing monuments. The ancestors of our royal family converted Breda to a beautiful city with richly decorated buildings.
The route today will take you right past one of the few remaining fresh-water tidal areas in Europe: Biesbosch National Park. You will cycle through Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands’ oldest towns and a great place to stop for a lunch break. A visit to the scenic harbour quarter with its wonderful historical buildings should not be missed.
Today’s highlight is one of the Netherlands’ most popular tourist attractions: Kinderdijk, a world-famous complex of windmills. Nineteen historical windmills reach to the skies in the epitome of classical Dutch countryside. You can visit an authentic workshop and find out how these mills were built and how they work. Have you always wanted to be a miller? This is where you can still learn the trade!
End the day in medieval Gouda. Amble through the beautifully preserved town centre and visit the old town hall and St. John’s church. Stop off at a bakery to buy fresh syrup waffles (Gouda is the hometown of syrup waffles) and Gouda cheese - perhaps the world’s most famous type of cheese.
Today’s route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, abounding in water. It is a true cycling paradise, with characteristic peat and polder landscapes, small farming communities and picturesque historical towns.
Your cycling holiday ends in Amsterdam, one of the crown-jewels of Europe. With so much to see and do, you couldn’t wish for a more exciting way to end your holiday. Make sure to go for a walk to marvel at the townhouses in the 17th-century canal district (listed as World Heritage). Have you got time and energy left? Opt to saunter down the infamous red-light district which attracts millions of curious tourists every year; or enjoy the street performers on friendly Rembrandtplein.
End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Amsterdam.
Starting dates: |
28/06, 05/07, 19/07, 26/07, 09/08, 16/08, 30/08 |
Min 2. persons required for departure |
Price pp | € | |
Single room, breakfast | 1,844.00 | |
Double room, breakfast | 1,250.00 | |
Dinner | 240.00 | |
Surcharges per person | € | |
Stay in Amsterdam on saturday | 20.00 | |
Stay in Amsterdam from: 2020-08-01 - 2020-08-01 2020-05-01 - 2020-05-04 2020-04-25 - 2020-04-25 2020-04-10 - 2020-04-13 |
60.00 | |
Rental bike | € | |
Child bike | 100.00 | |
Premium bike | 150.00 | |
Ebike | 250.00 | |
Extra services | € | |
Child seat | € 4.55 x 11 | 50.05 |
Bike theft insurance | € 2.73 x 11 | 30.05 |
E-bike theft insurance | € 5.45 x 11 | 59.95 |
Theft insurance premium bike | € 5.45 x 11 | 59.95 |
Extra luggage | € 4.58 x 11 | 50.40 |
Add on bike | € 5.45 x 11 | 59.95 |
Child trailer | € 15.91 x 11 | 175.00 |
In the north of Paris you can find this trendy hotel. The hotel has multiple terraces with views over the canal Bassin de la Villette. The hotel does not have its own restaurant, but a traditional French restaurant can be found in the same building.
This classical hotel has a perfect location and has an outstanding kitchen. If the weather is nice, this hotel is a guarantee for a great stay.
Located just 20 minutes from the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Like our renowned kings of France, you simply must make this imperial town a stopping place on your journey. Our rooms have cable television, dataports, mini-bar, in-room safe, 24-hour room service and suites are available.
Found in the centre of Saint-Quentin. The rooms are big and comfortable.
This classical hotel can be found in the heart of Cambrai. This hotel has a restaurant and a loungebar.
A traditional hotel in the centre of Tournai. Next to charming rooms the hotel also has a restaurant and a bar.
Close to the Sint-Pieters train station and the city centre. This hotel has big rooms and a delicious breakfast.
This Hampton by Hilton hotel is surrounded by shopping and dining and is also within walking distance of the Flanders Meeting & Convention Center, the diamond district, the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Elizabeth Hall. A great newly opened hotel, suitable for working trips and days out.
Only five minutes of walking from this hotel and you will find yourself at the 'Grote Markt'. This hotel offers spacious rooms, free WiFi and an elegant restaurant.
This hotel is only minutes away from the historical centre of Gouda.
This hotel is on the border of the Spaarndammer neighbourhood, which is known for its architecture. In the lobby you can find an original piece of Herman Brood. Every room has an 'art' item.
Starting dates 2020:
28/06, 05/07, 19/07, 26/07, 09/08, 16/08, 30/08
Min 2. persons required for departure
You can fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly airports and return from Amsterdam Schiphol.
Departure from Amsterdam by train
To get back to Paris there is a fast train Thalys that takes you in 3 hours and 17 minutes back to Paris. Bookable 3 month in advance starting at € 39,- one way p.p. During weekdays this train runs every 2 hours. You can not take a bike on this train (we take care of the rentalbikes)
If you don’t bring your own, you can rent a bicycle from us. Our 24 gear touring bikes will be delivered to you at the start of your holiday and you must return them before you go home. All bikes are equipped with a chain lock and a repair kit. Hybrid and e-bikes also include a saddlebag.
Chain lock Saddlebag Repair kit
Our hybrid bikes have 21-gears with hand brakes. We will assign the bikes according to gender, as we have both men- and women style bikes.
Our premium bikes are lightweight and make excellent touring bikes with 27-gears and disc brakes. The bikes are less heavy than our hybrid bikes: they weigh +/- 15 KG. We have both men- and women style premium bikes, which will be assigned according to gender. Our premium bikes have normal pedals. Most of our premium bikes are Koga Grand Tourer bikes or similar. Premium bikes are always on request.
Two of our mostly used race bikes are Montreal 74 Eddy Merckx and Blockhaus 67 Eddy Merckx, both unisex. The bikes are made from aluminium.
For children who are at least 125 cm, we can also arrange bikes (these are 24”or 26” for children that are bigger than 140 cm)
Tandem bikes are suitable for two adults only. The tandem bikes have a frame size of 48 cm. We mostly use the Victoria Spezial 8.7. This tandem bike comes with 24-derailleur gears or nuvinci gears. The height of the handle bars on a tandem bike cannot be adjusted.
E-bikes are always on request, as we have a limited amount of e-bikes available. Our e-bikes are unisex, have handbrakes and have ten gears. Our smallest e-bike has a frame size of 49 cm and is suitable for persons that are 155 cm (5ft1) or taller.
GPS tracks are available on request
(*) NOTE: Travel documents are only in English (or Dutch or German)