Versailles Bike Tour with Transport from Paris and Market Visit
Cycle through royal grounds to the Grand Canal and Grand Trianon, plus skip-the-line Palace entry
If you want to see more of Versailles than the typical palace visit, this guided bike tour brings you deeper into the estate’s peaceful green spaces. You’ll shop for picnic food at the lively market, cycle along tree-lined stretches of the Grand Canal, explore both Trianon residences, and wander the Queen’s Hamlet’s dreamy pathways. With timed entry to the Palace of Versailles at the end, you’re free to explore as long as you like before returning to Paris with your pre-arranged train tickets.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert, English-speaking guide
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Round-trip train transport from Paris
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Bike rental and helmet
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Timed entry to Palace of Versailles
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Entry to Grand Trianon
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Entry to Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet
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Guided tour of royal grounds
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Guide tips
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Food and drinks
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at Javel-André Citroën
You’ll meet your guide outside the Javel-André Citroën metro station for check-in and a short walk to the train. After boarding together, you’ll travel about thirty-five minutes to Versailles Rive Gauche, where your guide prepares the group for the day ahead. -
2
Retrieve your bicycles
Once in Versailles, you’ll follow your guide to the bike pickup point near the gardens. Here you’ll collect bikes and helmets, grab any last-minute water at the nearby café, and learn how the route flows across the sprawling grounds. -
3
Versailles’ outdoor market
Next, you’ll bike to the open-air market, a lively square lined with stalls of cheese, fruit, baguettes, and cured goods. You’ll have time to choose picnic items (food not included in the price of tour) while your guide offers tips on regional specialties and points out local vendors. -
4
Ride to the Grand Canal
After leaving the market, the ride continues toward the Grand Canal, the seventeenth-century waterway designed by André Le Nôtre. You’ll pause for a photo stop as your guide explains how the canal once hosted elaborate court festivities for Louis XIV. -
5
Picnic at the Grand Canal
This is your break to relax and enjoy the food you purchased. Settle along the upper edge of the water, where broad lawns frame striking views of the palace. It’s a calm moment to take in the scale of the estate before heading deeper into the royal grounds. -
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Explore the Trianon estates and Queen’s Hamlet
Next, you’ll cycle to the Grand Trianon, Louis XIV’s marble-lined retreat, for free time to wander its Baroque courtyards and quiet rooms. Then you’ll continue to the Queen’s Hamlet to explore its rustic cottages, lakeside paths, and, if time allows, the Petit Trianon’s neoclassical interiors. -
7
Enter the Chateau de Versailles
Finally, you’ll return your bikes and walk to the palace for timed entry. You’ll explore the Chateau independently, moving through gilded salons and formal halls at your own pace. After your visit, you may stay on the grounds or take any train back to Paris when ready. -
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Your tour finishes at Javel-André Citroën
After taking the train back to the Javel-André Citroën station on your own, your tour officially concludes.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Please Note: Bring extra cash to purchase your own food and drinks at the outdoor market for the picnic lunch.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. If you have concerns about your mobility, we suggest taking a Private Golden Versailles Palace and Garden Tour.
Dress Code: Flat, comfortable shoes are strongly recommended due to extensive walking, parquet floors inside the palace, and cobblestone paths in the gardens.
Bag Policy: Large bags, backpacks, and luggage are not allowed on this tour.
Tour Changes: The Palace of Versailles can close without notice for official state events; in such cases, then we will be in touch with an alternative plan.
ID Requirement: Please bring a valid government-issued ID.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 7-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Round-trip train transport from Paris
Bike rental with helmets
Guided bike tour of Versailles grounds
Timed entry to the Chateau
Access to Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Queen’s Hamlet
Visit to Versailles’ outdoor market
Maximum of 18 guests
What to bring:
Cash for picnic lunch
Government-issued ID
Comfortable walking shoes
Camera
Water bottle
Customer Reviews
Fun way to experience Versailles! Our guide Sam was both knowledgeable and personable. He made our trip a memorable one and we would definitely recommend it!
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





