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Cycling days
Distance
Paris - Amsterdam
Paris - Amsterdam
Hybrid :
E-Bike :
Duration :
12 days
Cycling days :
 10
Comfort :
period:
Jun Sep
Code:
12-02
History Cities
price from € 1.405
Paris - Amsterdam
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Paris - Amsterdam

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Bike Tour: Paris - Amsterdam - 12 days

Paris - Amsterdam

Great cycling in France, Belgium and the Netherlands

A dream bike ride through Europe, from the Eifel tower of Paris to the canals of Amsterdam. These two European cities with big importance for history, world-famous buildings and museums are the start and the finish of this journey through 3 countries.

In between you will explore famous and beautiful towns like Ghent, Antwerp and Gouda as you cycle through varied landscapes. You will start in France, beautiful France with it's very wide spectrum of food and wines. Then discover medieval cities and villages in Belgium with great food, beer and chocolate. And then of course European cycle paradise Holland with water, windmills and a perfect cycle paths system.

Like to combine nature and culture?

Down the road wonderful nature meets fascinating towns when cycling towards the 'piece de resistance' – Amsterdam, with its famous canals (UNESCO world heritage site).

In collaboration with:

Route
Day 1: Arrival Paris
Day 2: Paris - Chantilly/Senlis
Day 3: Chantilly/Senlis - Compiègne
Day 4: Compiègne – Saint-Quentin
Day 5: Saint-Quentin – Cambrai
Day 6: Cambrai – Tournai
Day 7: Tournai – Ghent
Day 8: Ghent – Antwerpen
Day 9: Antwerpen - Breda
Day 10: Breda – Gouda/Bodegraven
Day 11: Gouda/Bodegraven - Amsterdam
Day 12: Departure from Amsterdam

Day 1:    Arrival Paris

Your holiday starts in Paris, ‘The City of Lights’. There is so much to see and do here: stroll along the river banks of the Seine or the Montmartre district or visit the famous attractions such as the Sacre Cœur Basilica, the Notre Dame cathedral, the Louvre museum with the Mona Lisa and of course the Eifel Tower. 

! Bikes are not allowed on the train from Amsterdam to Paris (or vice versa). We therefore strongly recommend to book this trip with rental bikes, so you can leave the rental bikes at the hotel in Amsterdam at the end of the trip. 

Day 2:    Paris - Chantilly/Senlis
72 km

Today you start cycling! Exiting the capital along the Canal de l’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Martin really allows us to dive into a history book, an open-air museum. 
On the first 30 kilometers from Paris to Gressy, the route follows the nice cycle track of the Canal de l’Ourcq, a rural setting away from cars, for a safe exit out of Paris.
As you get closer to Senlis you will encounter forests and true nature as you reach the region “Ile de France”: guaranteed change of scenery with these great pines and this sandy soil in the Landes, south west of France. 

Day 3:    Chantilly/Senlis - Compiègne
66 km

The program of the day: Prestigious castle, medieval towns and large forest area! 
Chantilly is world renowned for its castle (sometimes compared to a castle of the Loire), its Great Stables, its porcelain, its lace and its gastronomy (yes the famous cream Chantilly would have been invented here) 

An ancient foundation, a royal residence during the Middle Ages, the charming city of Senlis preserves its rich history and has several museums. Its protected environment of 40 ha is particularly appreciated by filmmakers. 
After crossing the forest of Halatte you cross the "plateau" of Nery but the slope is soft! You pass close to Béthisy-Saint-Pierre which is worth a detour. 

After going down the Automne river which gave its name to this valley, called the 35 bell-towers, today’s journey ends the in the forest of Compiègne.  A large town bordering the forest, a palace opening towards wooded immensities, these are the first impressions that Compiègne leaves. The city, furrowed by charming and shopping streets, has museums with varied collections.

Day 4:    Compiègne – Saint-Quentin
79 km

In the morning, we recommend to make the abbey of Ourscamp your first stop of the day. The route continues along the canal, toward Noyon. Noyon is listed as a city of Art and History: medieval atmosphere around the cathedral which saw the coronation of Hugues Capet in 987.

Further along the route, you cross vast natural areas with more than 200 species of birds and cycle through the fertile valley of the Oise before you reach Saint Question. Discover its streets with Art Deco houses, the details of which deserve to be spotted. It is the style adopted during the rebuilding of the city, which was hardly destroyed during the Great War and once again became a dynamic city, the economic capital of Haute Picardie.

Day 5:    Saint-Quentin – Cambrai
50 km

The route in the morning takes you towards the Touage Museum, through small hilly roads between villages devoted to agriculture and memorial sites of the Great War: cemeteries, memorials and vestiges of the Hindenburg line. A few pedaling strokes and you pass the sources of l’Escaut, the famous river that you follow for kilometers and whose course flows into the North Sea in Netherlands. In the Haute Vallée de l’Escaut lies a jewel: the abbey of Vaucelles (XII century). As it is presented to you today, the abbey remains an unusual construction both in its dimensions and the quality of its restoration. 

Passing through typical villages and hamlets, you reach the town of Cambrai, peaceful city of Art and History. Take advantage of it to discover its streets, where half-timbered houses, rich private mansions, Flemish mansions mingle with pleasure. And don't leave without having tasted the famous "Bétises de Cambrai" or other local specialties!

Day 6:    Cambrai – Tournai
75 km

This day offers a pleasant ride through to the Parc Naturel Régional Scarpe-Escaut, the first French regional park. Here, Belgium and France link with the barges on Escaut river, between lands and waters where you pedal through to the forests, marshes and ponds populated with various species. You will discover the mining villages classified by UNESCO, and the agricultural landscapes.

Day 7:    Tournai – Ghent
79 km

While leaving the 5 bell-towers of Tournai behind you, today you will leave Wallonia and enter the province of Flanders. Down the road do try one of the most famous Belgian local products "Geraardsbergse mattentaart", a pie with an ancient history of making. The river Scheldt is still your guide as you cycle to the old town of Oudenaarde (AD 974). Also center of the famous classic cycle race "Ronde van Vlaanderen". The former towing paths along the banks have been transformed to smooth cycle paths, occasionally leafy and then through the open fields of Flanders. At the end of the day the sparkling cultural city of Ghent is waiting for you. The Belgians call Ghent their most beautiful city and the city will undoubtedly charm you.

Day 8:    Ghent – Antwerpen
90 km

Cycling North, you will follow the banks of the river Scheldt you leave Ghent and cycle towards Lokeren. The bushes and polders show the wild and pure nature here. The wide Schelde is not only a natural, but also a tourist attraction. 
Antwerp is the largest town in Flanders and Belgium’s most important port city. After viewing the historical town center,  you might like to venture to the hip and trendy parts of the city: ‘t Zuid and Het Eilandje. Have you worked up a thirst for Belgian beer? Consider visiting De Koninck beer brewery. It has been going strong since 1833 and has a new visitors centre welcoming guests wishing to look around and do some tasting. This brewery is best known for its ‘Bollekes’. 

Day 9:    Antwerpen - Breda
73 km

The landscape along today’s cycling route is predominantly woody. On the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, catch your breath in De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide, a lovely cross-border nature reserve. Upon crossing the border, you will find yourself in the south of the Netherlands. In village after village, Brabant hospitality will entice you to stop for a cup of coffee and big slice of fruit tart. 

Today’s destination is Breda, the main city of Nassau in Holland, boasting many imposing monuments. The ancestors of our royal family converted Breda to a beautiful city with richly decorated buildings.

Day 10:    Breda – Gouda/Bodegraven
81 km

The route today will take you right past one of the few remaining fresh-water tidal areas in Europe: Biesbosch National Park. You will cycle through Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands’ oldest towns and a great place to stop for a lunch break. A visit to the scenic harbour quarter with its wonderful historical buildings should not be missed.

Today’s highlight is one of the Netherlands’ most popular tourist attractions: Kinderdijk, a world-famous complex of windmills. Nineteen historical windmills reach to the skies in the epitome of classical Dutch countryside. You can visit an authentic workshop and find out how these mills were built and how they work. Have you always wanted to be a miller? This is where you can still learn the trade! 

End the day in medieval Gouda. Amble through the beautifully preserved town centre and visit the old town hall and St. John’s church. Stop off at a bakery to buy fresh syrup waffles (Gouda is the hometown of syrup waffles) and Gouda cheese - perhaps the world’s most famous type of cheese.

Day 11:    Gouda/Bodegraven - Amsterdam
78 km

Today’s route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, abounding in water. It is a true cycling paradise, with characteristic peat and polder landscapes, small farming communities and picturesque historical towns. 

Your cycling holiday ends in Amsterdam, one of the crown-jewels of Europe. With so much to see and do, you couldn’t wish for a more exciting way to end your holiday. Make sure to go for a walk to marvel at the townhouses in the 17th-century canal district (listed as World Heritage). Have you got time and energy left? Opt to saunter down the infamous red-light district which attracts millions of curious tourists every year; or enjoy the street performers on friendly Rembrandtplein.

Day 12:    Departure from Amsterdam

End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

Prices & dates

Starting dates:
2024:
May 2nd, June 2nd and September 22nd 
Min 2. persons required for departure


Price pp
Double room, breakfast 1,400.00
Single room, breakfast 2,125.00
Extra night double room, breakfast only 110.00
Upgrades pp/night
NH Collection Antwerp Centre, Antwerpen 20.00
Surcharge per person
Stay in Amsterdam on Saturday 25.00
Stay in Amsterdam from:
2024-03-29 - 2024-03-31
2024-04-20 - 2024-04-20
2024-04-26 - 2024-04-27
2024-05-09 - 2024-05-11
2024-05-17 - 2024-05-19
40.00
Rental bike
Premium bike 275.00
E-bike 330.00
Extra services
Bike theft insurance € 3.00 x 11 33.00
E-bike theft insurance € 6.00 x 11 66.00
Theft insurance premium bike € 6.00 x 11 66.00
Extra luggage € 5.00 x 11 55.00
SGR per piece 5.00

Starting point:
Paris

Flights:
You can fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly and return from Amsterdam Schiphol. 

Train:
To get back to Paris there is a fast train Thalys that takes you in 3 hours and 17 minutes back to Paris. Bookable 3 month in advance starting at € 39,- one way p.p. During weekdays this train runs every 2 hours. You can not take a bike on this train (we take care of the rentalbikes).

Extra night in Paris (breakfast only):
Double room €110 per person
Single room €205 per person

Accommodation

The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. A list of the hotels we work with appears below. If a certain accommodation is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a comparable alternative. 

 

Logis Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon *** (Senlis - France)
Aiden by Best Western T'Aim Hôtel**** (Compiègne)
Hotel Le Picardy
Hôtel Le Picardy **** (Saint-Quentin - France)
Logis Hôtel Mouton Blanc *** (Cambrai - France)
Hôtel Alcantara*** (Tournai)
Best Western Chamade*** (Gent)
Mercure Antwerp City South
Mercure Antwerp City South**** (Antwerpen)
Golden Tulip Keyser**** (Breda)
Best Western Hotel Gouda**** (Gouda)
WestCord Art Hotel***/**** (Amsterdam)
Bikes

Instruction video hybrid bike and e-bike

 

 

Our hybrid bikes are aluminum bikes and have 27-gears

Assembly: Shimano Deore

Brakes: Shimano V Brakes (hand brakes)

Tires: Schwalbe Marathon

Saddle: Selle Royal Freedom

Pedals: flat pedals (XLC)

Weight: circa 16,5 kilo

The e-bikes are Freebike Harlem or similar. The bikes have a small electric engine and battery, which can be charged at the hotels. You still have to pedal: it just makes pedaling much easier. Some experience with e-bikes is recommended, as the bikes accelerate faster and are heavier than regular bikes because of the electric engine.

Assembly: Shimano Nexus 8 gears

Brakes: Shimano hydraulic discbrakes

Handlebars are adjustable without any tools

Tires: Continental

Pedals: Flat pedals

Saddle: Velo Comfort

Range battery: ca. 100 km (with normal use)

Weight: ca. 25 kilo. 

 

For children who are at least 125 cm, we can also arrange bikes (these are 24”or 26” for children that are bigger than 140 cm). The bikes are Oxford Kick-Off bikes or similar, we also use child mountainbikes as child bike.

Assembly: Shimano 7 gears

Brakes: Shimano V-Brakes (hand brakes)

Pedals: flat pedals

Weight: 13,3 kg (24 inch) or 13,9 kg (26 inch)

The maximum body height for a child’s bike is 155 cm. 


Bell

All our rental bikes come with a bell.


Brakes

All our adult bikes come with hand brakes. 


Childseat

For children up to 30 months old (max. 15 KG) it is possible to rent a front child seat. This is not possible with e-bikes, due to the display.

For children older than 30 months (max. 22KG) it is possible to rent a rear child seat. This is also possible with e-bikes.

 


Helmet

Helmets are not mandatory in Belgium, but can be rented for €15,- per piece.|
Available sizes: Adult: 54-61cm, Child: 50-55cm. 


Lights

All our bikes come with both front- and rear lights. You need to push the button on the lamp and it will flash three times. This means that the lights will automatically start working when it gets dark. 

When you push again, the lamp will flash one time and the lights will be turned off.


Locks

Our bikes come with a defender lock with plug in chain (cable lock that is attached to the regular lock, see picture).

You need to turn the key a bit, take out the pin from the cable lock and attach it to a pole/other bike/fence etc.

When you push the pin back into the regular lock, you need to lock the regular lock as you always do, and both locks will be secured.


Pannier

1 pannier is included at the 'standard' bikes and the e-bikes.

Height: 42 cm
Depth front to the side: 17 cm
Wide top: 32 cm
Wide down: 23 cm
Volume: 20 liters
It has an easy click-on/click-off system. The panniers are water resistant, so everything will stay dry.


Pedals

The rental bikes come with regular pedals, so no click-in/SPD pedals. 


Quickrelease

All our bikes come with a quick release system, which makes it very easy to adjust the height of the saddle and the handle bars. 


Repairkit

There is one small puncture kit included, which can be found in the pannier. In case a rental bike has another problem, we always advise you to go to a bike repair shop or call the bike breakdown emergency number which is provided in the travel documents when you book this extra service.


Saddle

Saddles can be adjusted in height without using any tools, see ‘Quick Release’.
Our saddles don’t come with a gel cover. 


Waterbottles

Dutch Biketours does not provide water bottles. We can also not guarantee that there are bottle holders on the bikes. You will always receive 1x pannier, so you can always store your water bottle in your pannier.


We have a limited amount of tandem bikes available on request. The tandem bikes are steel Victoria Special 8.7 or similar. Tandem bikes are suitable for two adults only. 

Assembly: Shimano Acera 24 gears

Brakes: Magura HS11 (hand brakes)

Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Plus

Saddle: Selle Royal Rio Plus SR 8020

Weight: ca. 28 kg


The tandem bikes have a frame size of 48 cm. 
The height of the handle bars on a tandem bike cannot be adjusted.

We have limited family tandem bikes available on request. The family tandems are made of aluminium and can be used for one adult and one child with a minimum body height of 125 cm.

Assembly: Shimano (8 gears)

Brakes: V-Brakes (hand brakes)

Tires: Schwalbe Marathon plus

Saddle: Selle Royal Rio

Pedals: Flat pedals

A tag-along bike is a good option for children between approx. 100 cm and 125 cm, as they can pedal themselves and on their own pace but don’t have to worry about other traffic.

 

 

Child trailers can be rented for a maximum of two children who are up to 100 cm (max. 35 KG in total). 

We mostly use the XLC Duo 2 child trailer.
Child trailers are not possible in combination with e-bikes.  

Mile after wonderful mile of untroubled cycling is what we would wish our clients. However there is a minimal chance of breakdown along the way. If this thought is a nagging worry to you, a Bicycle Breakdown Assistance insurance policy may ease your mind. If you buy this insurance from our partner FietsNED in advance, their service is as follows. If your bike breaks down by the roadside a FietsNED bicycle repair man will drive to you in his repair van and fix your bike so you can continue your tour.You won’t have to pay him repair costs. If you are cycling on your own bicycle you will be charged for any new spare parts your bike may require. If you are renting a bicycle through Dutch Bike Tours any new parts are at our expense. If it turns out the bicycle cannot be repaired on the spot, or if you don’t wish to continue cycling, the repairman can drop you off somewhere in his van. One companion plus bikes may join you in the van.

The Bike Breakdown Pass is €2,75 per day per bike and can only be booked for every participant in a booking. 

 

Do you wish to insure your bike against theft? The cost is € 3,- per day per standard hybrid bicycle.
For an electric bicycle, premium bike or racing bike: € 6,00 per day per bicycle.
Please see the General Terms and Conditions for Bicycle Hire and Insurance. 

If a rental bike gets stolen or damaged, we will hold the client responsible.
If your insurance does not cover this event, you will have to pay the costs yourself.

Article 1 Bike Rental Price

The bike rental price is determined by the rates mentioned on the Dutch Bike Tours website at the time of the booking; or as subsequently agreed.

Article 2 Payment

a. The rental price and any other due sums regarding the rental agreement must be paid before the bike is handed over to you.

b. If, for whatever reason, you cannot make use of the bike(s) you have rented, Dutch Bike Tours will not be held responsible for any resulting expenses or damage.

c. In the case of the article 2b, the client remains obliged to pay the full rental price and any other amounts mentioned in the invoice, in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions of Booking, unless the client can prove that his not being able to use the bike was the consequence of a defect that was already present at the beginning of the rental period.

Article 3 Rental Period

a. The rental period runs from the morning of the first cycling day (day 2) to the end of the holiday (the departure day), as stated in the booking confirmation.

b. Extension of the rental period is possible only after approval by us and according to the (extension) rates as mentioned in article 1.

c. No refunds are possible after the rental period begins. If you return the bike(s) to us before the end of your holiday, the rental agreement will automatically be terminated and you will not get any of your money back.

d. At the end of the last cycling day of your holiday, the bike(s) must be returned to the hotel from where it was/they were issued, no later than the time stated in the booking confirmation.
If you book a one way tour tour you can leave the bike at the last hotel of the trip. 

e. If the bike(s) is /are not returned by the return time stated in the booking confirmation, we will continue to charge you rent until such time as the bike(s) is/are returned to us or is/are received by us. In the event of late return, the rates as mentioned in article 1 will continue to apply, plus a fine of €25 per day. We also reserve the right to demand payment for any costs and/or damages suffered by us due to late return of our rental bike(s).

f. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of late return of our rental bikes, we reserve the right to dissolve the rental agreement without judicial intervention and immediately claim back our bicycles where ever they may be and from whomever has them. Dutch Bike Tours also holds this right in the event that the client does not comply with any of the other conditions stated in this rental agreement.

Article 4 Improper Use

a. The bicycle(s) may only be used for its/their intended purpose and only by the cyclists listed in the rental agreement.

b. The bike(s) must be returned to us in the same (clean!) state in which you received it/them.

c. You must take excellent care of the bicycle(s), as if it/they were your own. You must take every precaution against damage, loss or theft.

d. The bicycle may not be used on the beach; or on sandy paths in the dunes unless a paved path is unavailable.

Article 5 Damage, Loss and Theft

The renter will be held responsible for damages to or loss of the bicycle(s) or parts of it, as well as bicycle keys and chains and locks, for such an amount as is determined by us according to standard market prices. You must understand that you are not insured for damage to the bicycle(s) or for any damages to third parties.

Article 6 Theft Insurance

It is possible to purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance. Covered are: damages arising out of the theft of the bicycle; and damages to the bicycle as a consequence of the theft. Not covered are: theft of bicycle parts; and damages arising out of attempted theft.

Article 7 Theft Insurance Premium

a. The premium for Bicycle Theft Insurance is € 3,00 per day per standard hybrid bicycle. For an electric bicycle € 6,00 per day as well for a Premium bike and racing bike.

The number of insurance days is the same as the number of cycling days as stated in our booking confirmation.

Article 8 Liability in the Event of Theft

a. If you did not purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us before the start of the holiday, you will be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.

b. If you did purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us, but you failed to lock the wheel lock and failed to produce the original wheel lock key and failed to produce an official theft report drawn up by the police, you will still be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.

Article 9 Costs During the Rental Period

Any charges and taxes regarding the rental bicycle(s), such as fines and ferry tickets, are to be paid by you. You will also be required to pay all costs ensuing from the use of the bicycle(s) such as parking fees, maintenance and repairs.

 

Practical info

11 nights included

3/4 Star hotels

Tourist tax included

Breakfast included

Tourist information on all the places of interest

The possibility of renting our bikes

7-days a week service-hotline

Luggage transport to your next hotel

Paris Gare du Nord / Amsterdam CS 

GPS tracks available

Any ferry crossings are not included

Arrival info

Nearest Airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). 

The journey from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare du Nord station is approximately 25 minutes.
From Gare du Nord it is another 3 km to your hotel.
You can also travel by metro to Riquet Metro Station, which is a few minutes walk from the hotel.

For detailed information about the possibilities, see: transport from / to airport.

Amsterdam is the final destination of this trip.

You can take the train back to Paris, the express train 'Thalys' will take you back to Paris in 3 hours and 17 minutes.
Bookable 3 months in advance, price from 39, - € p.p. On weekends, the train leaves every 2 hours.
It is not possible to take your bicycle on the Thalys. We will return the rental bicycles.

You can also fly back from Amsterdam, the nearest airport is: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
You can find information about public transport to the airport here.

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