Versailles Bike Tour from Paris

See the best of the palace and gardens & enjoy a picnic with Parisian delicacies

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Versailles Bike Tour from Paris 5 / 5 See All 15 Reviews
· 7.00h · Paris, France

Exploring Versailles on foot can be exhausting, with sprawling grounds and distant sights spread across acres. Our guided bike tour lets you breeze through effortlessly, covering top sights without the fatigue. Start at a lively market, ride to the Queen’s Hamlet and Grand Trianon, and picnic by the Grand Canal, ending with a visit inside the royal palace. With roundtrip train tickets, bike rentals, and entrance included, you’re free to enjoy Versailles without the hassle of a marathon trek.

  • Your meeting point is at Javel-André Citroen metro station
  • Arrive at Versailles
  • Pick up bicycle
  • Versailles outdoor market​
  • The Grand Canal
  • Picnic lunch
  • Grand Trianon​
  • Queen's Hamlet
  • Palace of Versailles
  • End your tour at Javel-André Citroen metro station

Your extraordinary ride through Versailles begins at the Javel Train Station in Paris, where you’ll meet your guide and fellow travelers before hopping on board for a quick ride to the Versailles Rive Gauche Train Station. Once in Versailles, your guide will get you and your group set up with your bikes and helmets, and then you’ll be ready to explore!

Your expert guide will lead you to the vibrant outdoor market of Versailles, where you’ll have time to shop for your own picnic snacks and drinks to enjoy once on the grounds. Bring some extra cash to purchase any delicious treats. Your guide will be there to provide helpful tips for picking out food and to guide you through the shops.

Once you’ve made your tasty lunch choices, you’ll cruise through the gardens of the stunning Grand Canal before hopping off your bikes for an incredible photo op as your guide explains the fascinating history of the Versailles grounds and Chateau. Unwind with a delicious picnic lunch as you take in the view from the top of the Grand Canal, and then continue immersing yourself in royal history!

After lunch, cycle over to the Grand Trianon, where you’ll have time to wander freely before riding to The Queen’s Hamlet. Enjoy a captivating tour of the Hamlet on foot before jetting off to your last stop of the day, the Royal Palace of Versailles. Immerse yourself in history as you explore the extraordinary Chateau independently, stopping for plenty of photos along the way!

Once you finish exploring the Chateau on your own, you’ll head back to the train station for a quick and easy return to Paris.

Versailles Bike Tour Description

Your 7-hour tour includes:

  • Expert, local guide

  • Bike rental with helmets

  • Roundtrip train from Paris

  • Picnic lunch at the top of the Grand Canal (cost not included)

  • Guided tour of Royal Grounds

  • Access to Grand & Petit Trianon

  • Access to Marie-Antoinette’s Private Hamlet

  • Timed entry into Chateau to explore on your own

  • Versailles’s outdoor market

All Aboard!

Your day begins at the Javel Train Station in Paris. Enjoy a comfortable, quick train journey of about 35 minutes alongside your guide and fellow travelers, before arriving at Versailles Rive Gauche Train Station. Now, your adventure can begin!

Retrieve Your Bicycles

Now that you’ve arrived, you will follow your guide to the Chateau grounds to pick up your bikes at the Versailles Gardens. This is a great time to stop at the adjacent cafe for water or drinks, as there won’t be many opportunities to do so during the tour.

Once you and your group members are situated with your bikes and helmets, it’s time for the adventure to begin!

Versailles’s Outdoor Market

Your first stop of the day is Versailles’s bustling, open-air market. Park your bike and begin perusing the numerous stalls selling fresh baguettes, cheese, fruits, and more delicious French delicacies. Not only is the market a feast for the senses, it’s also amazing people-watching and a wonderful look at local life in Versailles. Plus, it's the perfect time for everyone in the group to grab something yummy for later. We've got an awesome lunch stop planned.

Lunch isn’t included in the price of the tour, so be sure to bring cash for any additional purchases.

The Grand Canal

After exploring the market, hop back on your bike and follow your guide to the Grand Canal for an amazing photo opportunity! Shaped like a large cross and designed by André Le Notre, Louis XIV’s gardener, the Grand Canal is an iconic attraction in Versailles. Take in the breathtaking view as your guide explains the fascinating history of the canal and its significance to Versailles.

Lunch with a View

Before moving on to the next stop on the tour, enjoy a traditional Parisian picnic lunch from the top of the Grand Canal. Admire the view as you devour French treats while chatting with your newfound group of friends.

Grand Trianon

Now that you’ve refueled with a delicious lunch, it’s time to hop back on your bike and continue exploring! Follow your guide to the awe-inspiring Grand Trianon, a French Baroque-style chateau found tucked away in the gardens.

Louis XIV requested that the chateau be built as a place for him to retreat with his mistress at the time. The architecture of the building is truly impressive, and after parking your bike, you’ll have thirty minutes of free time to explore the breathtaking site at your leisure.

The Hamlet

After meeting your friendly guide back at the bike parking area, you’ll cruise over to your next stop, the Queen’s Hamlet. This rustic retreat was built for Marie Antoinette in 1783, as a place for the queen to relax and entertain her closest friends.

Drop off your bike and follow along as your guide leads a tour through the most prominent landmarks within the Hamlet. Marvel at the Temple of Love, a beautiful marble temple surrounded by greenery, the House of the Queen, the charming Moulin, and the idyllic farm that was actually in use when Marie Antoinette lived there.

If time allows, your guide will also take you to the Petit Trianon, a Neoclassical chateau that served as a place of refuge for Marie Antoinette.

The Chateau

You have one more stop on your royal adventure through Versailles! After riding back from the Hamlet, drop off your bicycles and enter the Chateau, the absolute jewel of Versailles. Explore the magnificent royal palace on your own and learn intriguing stories of those who once lived in this former royal residence.

You will have plenty of free time to explore the opulent palace and extraordinary gardens of Versailles at your leisure. You can take any train back, so no rush to depart the palace grounds.

What you get with this tour
Friendly English-speaking guide
Transportation
Bike with helmets
Grand Trianon, Hamlet, Chateau de Versailles, and more
Lunch break
Max 18 people
Wheelchair accessible
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15 total reviews

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5.0/5 (based on 15 reviews)
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14 November 2024
C
Reviewed by
Chelsea collins

14 November 2024
D
Reviewed by
Drew Prochazka

Amazing and fun!
08 September 2024
C
Reviewed by
Carol Doering

My sister and I signed up for the Versailles Bike Tour. What an amazing tour! Julian, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and made learning about everything Versailles fun. I will concur with another traveler’s review, we also would have been lost! I think seeing the Queen’s hamlet was the highlight (well, that and riding right up to the Olympic banner). Skipping the line at the end of the bike tour was pretty great too. If I ever go back, I will do this tour again. It was so worth it and I would highly recommend it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

Please ensure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be biking for most of the day. Don't forget to wear sunscreen and a hat as well.

What to bring?

Please ensure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be biking for most of the day. Don't forget to wear sunscreen and a hat as well.

Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?

Yes, it is!

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

Unfortunately, because this tour does require riding a bike for approximately 5 hours, it may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns.

What happens if it rains?

We run our tours rain or shine!

Is lunch included in the price of the tour?

No, lunch is not included in the price of the tour. We will stop at a famous city market for everyone to buy picnic supplies (cost not included) and have some free time to enjoy it during the tour.

Can I bring my kids and do I have to pay for them?

Yes, kids are welcome on this tour, and we can provide two-seater children’s trailers if needed (max. 45 pounds per child). Children over 12 are welcome to ride their own bikes, however, they must be comfortable with navigating busy city streets. Please note, all participants over the age of 12 must know how to ride a bike.

Where does this tour end?

This tour ends at the Chateau de Versailles. You will have tickets to take the train back to Paris at your leisure.

Can I meet my guide at Versailles?

Unfortunately due to the timing and logistics of this tour, it is not possible to meet up with your guide at Versailles. If you are looking for a tour that starts at Versailles, we recommend our From Versailles: Palace and Gardens Tour

Where does this tour end?

Your tour will end back at the Javel-André Citroen metro station in Paris in order to take the coach back to Paris. If you'd like to stay in Versailles and explore more on your own, you will need to purchase a train ticket at your own expense

Start From: $115.50

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Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!

Reserve Now $115.50 / per person
$115.50 / per person
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