Cycling routes and tips for exploring Paris by bike

This cycling route is the perfect way to admire Paris landmarks and must-see monuments.

1/ It starts on Place de l’Alma, from where you have a superb view of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t miss the Flamme de la Liberté (flame of liberty), a life-size replica of the Statue of Liberty’s torch in New York City. The flame was transformed into a memorial to Lady Diana after she lost her life in a car crash in the tunnel under the Alma bridge in 1997.

2/ Set off along one of those wide, beautiful Paris avenues: Avenue George V, lined with elegant private mansions, many of which now house foreign embassies. The route leads you to the Champs-Élysées; you will spot the famous restaurant Fouquet’s on the corner.

3/ Cycle down the world’s most beautiful avenue, with the Arc de Triomphe behind you, until you reach Avenue Winston Churchill. Turn into the avenue, which has two must-see museums – the Grand Palais to your right and the Petit Palais to your left. At the end of the avenue, you will find yourself back on the Seine quayside, right in front of Pont Alexandre III: by far one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris.

4/ Cross the bridge and bear left. The route hugs the bank of the Seine and leads you to Parc Rives de Seine, a riverside leisure area for pedestrians and cyclists only – the perfect spot for a pleasant summertime ride.

5/ When you find yourself under Pont de la Concorde, walk your bike back up to the quayside and then cross the bridge to take a spin around Place de la Concorde: it’s well worth the detour. Return to the quayside and continue on your route. You’ll see the Jardin des Tuileries on your left and, to your right, the Musée d'Orsay located inside the former railway station Gare d'Orsay on the opposite bank of the Seine. A short distance from here, you’ll spot the Louvre to your left.

6/ Continue cycling along the quay, past Pont des Arts, and cross the Seine on Pont Neuf to get to Île de la Cité. Circle the Île along Quai des Orfèvres until you reach Notre-Dame Cathedral.

7/ Now take Rue d’Arcole to reach Pont d’Arcole. Re-cross the Seine and keep going straight: you’ll find yourself on the square in front of the magnificent Hôtel de Ville de Paris (Paris City Hall) – the end point of this 6.5-km route.

Alternatively, you can re-cross the Seine via Rue de la Cité and cycle the same route the other way round to get to Pont de l’Alma along the opposite bank of the Seine.