Avenue Verte: Paris to London

Once you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the ‘City of Light’. Take a leisurely walk along the banks of the Seine or unwind with a glass of wine at one of Paris’s many charming pavement cafés. You may also wish to explore the Louvre Museum or admire the iconic Eiffel Tower. Whatever you choose to do, Paris is a city that never fails to captivate and entertain.

The opening stage of your Avenue Verte cycling holiday leads you from the centre of Paris out through the capital’s leafy outskirts and on towards the contemporary town of Cergy. Much of the route follows the River Seine, taking you past attractive parks, quiet gardens and modern neighbourhoods as you leave the bustling city behind.

As the kilometres pass, the scenery gradually becomes calmer and greener, with the lively atmosphere of Paris giving way to peaceful countryside surroundings. Your day finishes in Cergy, a vibrant town on the edge of Greater Paris, known for its modern design, spacious parks and open green areas.

Today’s ride takes you into the peaceful countryside of northern France. Once you leave the busy outskirts of Paris behind, you’ll begin to experience the true character of the Avenue Verte route. The scenery becomes wonderfully varied, with quiet woodland, wide open fields and charming rural landscapes accompanying you along the way.

Pretty villages such as Chaussy and Bray-et-Lû are ideal spots to pause for a coffee and croissant or simply relax and soak up the calm atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the day is cycling through the Vexin Français Regional Nature Park, a protected area celebrated for its unspoilt scenery, old stone walls and traditional farmhouses. It’s a place where life seems to move at a gentler pace.

Your day ends in Gisors, a town full of medieval character. Dominated by its impressive hilltop fortress, Gisors also boasts a lively historic centre with narrow lanes, inviting cafés and beautiful old buildings.

Not long after beginning today’s ride, you’ll be surrounded by the tranquil countryside of the Pays de Bray. This beautiful region is famous for its traditional bocage scenery, with rolling pastures, apple orchards and hedgerow-lined lanes creating a wonderfully rural setting.

There are plenty of lovely places to pause along the route. In the market town of Gournay-en-Bray, you might stop for a café au lait and a freshly baked baguette while soaking up the relaxed local atmosphere. The quiet villages you pass through seem untouched by time, each with its own sense of history and charm.

As you continue cycling, you’ll gradually approach the elegant spa town of Forges-les-Eaux, known for its attractive parks, thermal springs and calm, welcoming atmosphere.

The final French stage of the Avenue Verte takes you from Forges-les-Eaux all the way to the Channel coast at Dieppe. Much of today’s route follows a former railway line, guiding you through Normandy’s gently undulating countryside. Along the way, you’ll pass through peaceful woodland, apple orchards, green meadows and picture-perfect Norman villages full of local character.

There are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the surroundings, with picnic spots, converted railway stations and cosy cafés dotted along the route.

Your journey ends in the lively seaside town of Dieppe, where the fresh sea air and maritime atmosphere provide a fitting finale to the tour. The striking tower of Saint-Jacques Church can be spotted from a distance, while sweeping views across the English Channel await as you reach the coast. Spend the evening wandering around the harbour, sampling freshly caught seafood in one of the town’s restaurants, or even enjoying a refreshing swim in the sea.

After one final café au lait by the harbour, it’s time to bid farewell to France. The ferry crossing to Newhaven takes around four hours, giving you plenty of opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the sea views across the English Channel.
Back on British soil, the route follows the traffic-free Cuckoo Trail, a former railway line that winds through the beautiful East Sussex countryside. Along the way, you’ll cycle past charming villages, open farmland and stretches of leafy woodland, with ever-changing scenery keeping the ride interesting.
Today’s stage finishes in the peaceful market town of Heathfield, an ideal spot to round off the day with a well-earned cup of tea.

Today’s stage will take you right through the green heart of southern England. As you approach West Sussex, the scenery changes, with open fields, small farms, quaint English villages and traditional pubs lining the route. Time and again, expansive vistas unfold over the undulating landscape of the South Downs – truly a postcard scene on a clear day.

While the route requires a certain level of fitness, the varied surroundings make every climb worthwhile. You can take breaks in places such as Forest Row and East Grinstead, where you can experience the English way of life in tea rooms and village shops. Crawley, today’s destination, surprises with its mixture of modern urban structure and a historic town centre. You can relax and unwind here at the end of the day, whether with a classic ale in a pub or with a stroll through the city park.

The final destination of the Avenue Verte is, naturally, London. Cycling from Crawley into the centre of the capital provides a striking contrast, beginning with peaceful countryside and green open spaces before gradually leading you into the lively atmosphere of one of the world’s great cities.

One of the highlights of today’s ride is passing through the National Trust landscape around Reigate Hill, where you may catch your first distant views of the London skyline.

As you draw closer to the city, the scenery becomes steadily more urban. While traffic increases, the route remains straightforward thanks to a good network of cycle paths and green routes into the capital. Crossing Westminster Bridge is a memorable finale, with fantastic views across the Thames towards Big Ben and the heart of London.

Departure from London or spend extra nights in the city or the surrounding area.

Arrival: Paris

Departure: London

Nearest arrival airport(s): Paris CDG

Nearest departure airport(s): London (Any)

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Paris by rail.

Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request.

Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.