A bicycle on a train? Yes, it’s possible! If you like cycling and want to take your bicycle with you as you visit France, read on for some tips and suggestions. We’ll even suggest 5 different routes worth checking out. So hop on your bike and let’s go!
Book a train ticket
Book a train ticket
Do you like cycling and travelling by train? Put your mind at ease — the two are compatible! These days, it is easier than ever to bring your bicycle with you by train. It is the perfect time to plan a little trip to explore the castles of the Loire Valley, Chantilly, the Bourgogne region, Arcachon Bay, or Basque country!
Read on for our tips on planning a bicycle trip.
How to bring your bicycle on board
Did you know? You can bring your bike on the train with you! If it is disassembled and stored in a case, it is even considered as hand luggage, which means you don’t need to make any special bookings or pay any extra charges for it. If it is not disassembled, you can bring it with you on TER Regional Trains for free, on TGV trains for €10 and on Ouigo trains for €5 or €10, and you must mention it when booking your tickets.
How does it work? When you are booking your ticket, select your journey and then click on “+add a bicycle”. You must then specify whether it will be disassembled and stored in a case or transported in one piece, then simplify validate your selection, and you are ready to travel!
From Paris to Chantilly
Inhabitants of Ile-de-France, it is time to plan an invigorating getaway just steps from Paris! For a taste of the country without spending too much time on public transport, we suggest Chantilly. This is a 16 km trip that can be done in around 2 hours.
Ride along small roads and bicycle paths to discover Nonette Valley, a charmingly-named location for an idyllic bike ride. This route starts at the Chantilly train station, just a 23-minute direct train ride from Paris, and will have you winding your way through the woods and past the famous castle. Then you will enjoy a tour of some villages and scenic countryside — and you can even add a small detour to the medieval city of Senlis.
To enjoy Chantilly to the fullest, we suggest taking the 9:07 train from Paris Nord. That will give you plenty of time to complete your ride, enjoy a tasty meal at lunch and visit the treasures of Chantilly and its stables before boarding a train in the late afternoon, for example at 5:28. A perfect plan for a 100% eco-friendly outing!
A tour of the castles of the Loire Valley
There is no better way to visit the castles of the Loire Valley than by bicycle! The region is perfectly suited to it, with bicycle paths and small wooded roads dotted with vineyards and surrounded by varied landscapes. We suggest a 3-day tour to visit some of the most famous castles!
Day 1 (42 km)
Start by heading to Blois, which is just 1 hour and 46 minutes from Paris Austerlitz by an Intercité train. From Blois, hop on your bicycle and head to Chambord Castle, then Cheverny Castle.
If you have time, book a hotel for the night, then spend a day visiting Blois, its castle, and its old town, as well as enjoying some tasty meals in the local restaurants.
Day 2 (57 km)
From Cheverny, head to the royal city of Amboise and Clos Lucé, by way of Chaumont sur Loire Castle.
Cycling through the vineyards of Bourgogne
In sunny weather, a cycle tour of Bourgogne is just the ticket! You can ride your bicycle amongst the vineyards all over Beaune.
We suggest the route between Beaune and Santenay, along the bicycle path that follows the wine route. This gourmet itinerary takes you through the heart of Bourgogne and its exceptional vineyards.
>> Explore the Bourgogne wine route by bicycle
Of course, you will want to treat yourself to a few tastings, and perhaps visit some of Bourgogne’s most beautiful villages and abbeys along the way.
A tour of Arcachon Bay
Board a train in Paris and 3 hours later, you will find yourself gazing out at the ocean in Arcachon! If you have your bicycle with you, you can enjoy a nice ride around Arcachon Bay, which is accessible year round.
Start by taking a boat to Bélisaire Pier in Cap-Ferret (a 30-minute crossing from the Thiers Pier.) Then head to the Cap Ferret lighthouse (258 stairs to climb for a 360 degree view of the bay.)
Next, you will follow the coastline and visit small oyster farming villages with their oyster shacks. Take a break to sample some of the bay’s famous oysters on a terrace with a view!
Continue on to the Teich Ornithological Park to observe the birds, then head to Arcachon. This is a perfect itinerary for trips with your family or friends (along a flat bicycle path) and can be done in one day (if you don’t drag your heels) or be spread out over 2 or 3 days at a more relaxed pace.
Of course, while you are there, you mustn’t miss the Dune du Pilat!
On the Vélodyssée from Bayonne to Hendaye
Ready for some fresh air in Basque country? This 3-part itinerary from Bayonne to Hendaye follows the Vélodyssée, a network of 57 different bicycle routes on the Atlantic coast.
Once you have taken the train to Bayonne, head toward Biarritz. Ride along the Adour river, past the mountains of Basque country, before reaching the beaches of Anglet by way of Chiberta forest
Take some time to visit Biarritz, spending a night (or more) in town before continuing on to Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
From Biarritz, you will ride along some of the Atlantic coast’s most beautiful beaches and then through some typical Basque villages: an invigorating trip before you finally arrive at the harbour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz with the Rhune as a backdrop!
The last stretch before Hendaye is along the road at the top of the corniche, and will take you past the Socoa fort, the cliffs and Abbadia castle. Take a well deserved break on the magnificent Hendaye beach when you arrive!
