France - Paris - Cycling around Versailles and other Royal places

Day 1

Welcome to Melun or Fontainebleau

Arrive at your accommodation where you will be given the road book and your bike.
Just a few kilometers from Paris, Melun and Fontainebleau opens the doors of the Paris Royal countryside. Settled for over 2000 years in one of the meanders of the Seine, Melun is a green heart and the gateways to the famous Fontainebleau Forest : with walkways along the river banks, a modern river port and a market rich in regional products, including the local “Brie de Melun”, a Protected Designation of Origin cheese.
Overnight: charming bed and breakfast or hotel.

Day 2

Vaux le Vicomte, Blandy, and Fontainebleau : ~ 37 to 57 Km

Your cycling holiday starts with the discovery the Castle of Vaux le Vicomte and its admirable French gardens where you can enjoy a break for lunch at the restaurant of the Chateau.
Ride through Melun and discover its river port and its 6 km long banks where the river Seine winds its way surrounded by gardens and small squares.
Then continue riding towards the Castle of Blandy, an exceptional example of medieval military architecture in Île-de-France area.
Your cycling day goes on along the banks of the river Seine on small country roads.
Ride through medieval villages like Fontaine le Port and Samois-sur-Seine and follow the cycling path to reach the doors of the park of the Fontainebleau Castle. Take the time to visit this amazing place.
With over 1500 rooms set amid 130 hectares of grounds and gardens, the royal and imperial Palace of Fontainebleau can boast eight centuries of continuous occupation by sovereigns. .Kings and Queens, emperors and empresses endeavored to embellish the Palace, built around the original keep. The castle and its grounds are listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
Overnight: charming hotel. Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

From the Imperial forest of Fontainebleau to the charming villages of Paris countryside: ~ 54 Km

Today cycle through the Imperial forest of Fontainebleau. With an area of 25,000 hectares it is a pure delight for nature lovers and the diversity of flora.
Discover the small village of Barbizon where 19th century impressionist painters used to live, continue your ride and explore other hamlets villages such as Dannemois where the famous French popular singer “Claude François” used to live, known for being the creator of the song “My Way”.
End your day cycling along a bike path which leads you right to your third stopping place.
Royal City, Etampes is a city of art and history and has indeed a rich built and landscape heritage. It was also one of the centers of the Royal Estate at the High Middle Age Period. The Notre-Dame Church which crypt dates back to the eleventh century and many other religious buildings ofthe 12th century witness of that period.
Overnight: charming hotel, Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

Royal cities and Rambouillet Forest : ~ 54 Km

Today cycle towards the forest of Rambouillet, where you may come across a group of wallabies!
From Etampes, you borrow a bike path along a charming little river and will continue on country roads and enjoy the quiet surroundings.
Discover the Royal city of Dourdan, which is also the "gateway to the Regional Natural Park of the High Valley of Chevreuse". The Castle 19th century architecture,the walls ...
The riding day ends in the heart of Rambouillet Forest, and its imposing castle. Between Versailles and Chartres, at the heart of more than 20 000 hectares of woodland, Rambouillet castle and its park used to welcome great Lords and Kings, Emperors and even Presidents: François 1er, Louis XVI, Napoleon I, Felix Faure...
Overnight: charming hotel, Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

From the Valley of Chevreuse to Versailles : ~ 50 Km

After a few kilometers you ride through the heart of the Valley of Chevreuse and all its treasures: churches, abbeys, castles, mansions, wash houses ... Around typical small villages, the countryside and the woods predominate. Discover picturesque villages and head to the amazing 17th century Palace of Versailles. The Cycling holidays ends at Versailles Castle the masterpiece of Louis XIV who wanted to be considered as the King of the Arts. You will then have the opportunity to cycle inside the park of the palace. The Palace of Versailles, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for 30 years, is one of the most beautiful achievements of 17th-century French art.
Discover the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel, the King and Queen's Grand Apartments... It housed the French government, most notably its royalty, during the reigns of Louis XIV (France’s famed “Sun King”), Louis XV and Louis XVI.
After the French Revolution in 1789, it ceased to be a permanent royal residence.
Overnight: charming hotel, Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

Departure after breakfast.
Extra night: Possibility of additional days in Versailles and/or
Paris in a 3-Star Hotel on the banks of the Canal Saint Martin, a “bobo district” in the heart of the Capital.