Amsterdam to Paris

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival Amsterdam

   Your cycling holiday starts in Amsterdam, one of the crown jewels of Europe. With so much to see and do, you couldn’t wish for a more vibrant way to kick off your holiday. If you arrive early, 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.
   
   
   Note that if you are bringing your own bike, bikes are not allowed on the train from Amsterdam to Paris (or vice versa). The tour operator therefore strongly recommends booking this trip with rental bikes, so you can leave the rental bikes at the hotel in Paris at the end of the trip.
   

   • WestCord Art Hotel
2. Day 2Amsterdam - Gouda

   The first leg of the 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 such as Oudewater. It was to this place that women who had been accused of witchcraft fled from all over Europe to try to have their innocence proven by weighing. End the day in medieval Gouda. Amble through the beautifully preserved town center 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.

   • 49.1 miles
   • Best Western Hotel Gouda
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Gouda - Breda

   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 the 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! You will cycle through Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands’ oldest towns. A visit to the scenic harbor quarter with its wonderful historical buildings should not be missed. The route will take you right past one of the few remaining fresh-water tidal areas in Europe: Biesbosch National Park. Upon crossing a one-kilometre-long bridge high above Holland's Diep river, 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 a big slice of fruit tart. Today’s destination is Breda.

   • 50.3 miles
   • Golden Tulip Keyser
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Breda - Antwerpen

   Breda is the main city of Nassau in Holland, boasting many imposing monuments. The ancestors of the royal family converted Breda to a beautiful city with richly decorated buildings. 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. The route takes you right into the historical and touristic heart of Antwerp. It’s 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’
   

   • 45.4 miles
   • Mercure Antwerp City South
   • Breakfast
5. Day 5Antwerpen - Ghent

   Cycling south, along the banks of the river Scheldt you will start on the LF2 Cities Cycle Route. The wide Schelde is not only natural but also a tourist attraction. By switching to the LF5 you head towards Dendermonde and Ghent. The bushes show the wild and pure nature here. 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.
   

   • 55.9 miles
   • Best Western Chamade
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Ghent - Tournai

   The river Scheldt is still your guide as you cycle to the old town of Oudenaarde (AD 974). Also the center of the famous classic cycle race "Ronde van Vlaanderen". The former towing paths along the banks have been transformed to smooth cycle paths, so now and then leafy and then through the open fields 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. Directly after Kluisbergen, you leave Flanders and you will enter the province of Wallonia with just 20 km to go to Tournai.
   

   • 49.1 miles
   • Hôtel Alcantara
   • Breakfast
7. Day 7Tournai - Cambrai

   While leaving the 5 bell-towers of Tournai behind you, ride the last on the Belgian cycle path along the Scheldt, before arriving in France. 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 the 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, the agricultural landscapes, and the beautiful city of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, thermal station, near Valenciennes. Passing through typical villages and hamlets, you reach the town of Cambrai, a 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 specialities!

   • 46 miles
   • Hôtel Le Mouton Blanc
   • Breakfast
8. Day 8Cambrai - Saint-Quentin

   Today, you leave Cambrai by lodging the Canal de Saint-Quentin (inaugurated in 1810 by Emperor Napoleon 1st), discover the Haute Vallée de l’Escaut. Here is 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. A few pedalling strokes and you'll pass the sources of l’Escaut, the famous river that you follow for kilometers and whose course flows into the North Sea in the Netherlands. Continue on towards the Touage Museum, this route takes you through small hilly roads between villages devoted to agriculture and memorial sites of the Great War: cemeteries, memorials and vestiges of the Hindenburg line. Find the canal and its cycle path to finally reach Saint Quentin. 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.

   • 31.7 miles
   • Hotel Memorial
   • Breakfast
9. Day 9Saint-Quentin - Compiègne

   On the way to Compiegne, through the fertile valley of the Oise. The itinerary takes again the cycle path of the canals, to the discovery of Chauny. You cross vast natural areas with more than 200 species of birds. Continue towards Noyon, the route continues along the canal. Noyon is listed as a city of Art and History: medieval atmosphere around the cathedral which saw the coronation of Hugues Capet in 987. Then return to the shared tracks where a stop at the abbey of Ourscamp is recommended. A large town bordering the forest, a palace opening towards wooded immensities, these are the first impressions that Compiègne leaves. The city, furrowed by charm and shopping streets, has museums with varied collections.
   

   • 46.6 miles
   • Aiden by Best Western T'Aim Hôtel
   • Breakfast
10. Day 10Compiègne - Chantilly/Senlis

    The program of the day: Prestigious castle, medieval towns and large forest area! Your journey starts in the forest of Compiègne and then goes up the Automne river which gave its name to this valley, called the 35 bell towers. You pass close to Béthisy-Saint-Pierre which is worth a detour. To finally cross the "plateau" of Nery but the slope is soft! You cross the forest of Halatte before reaching the charming medieval town of Senlis. An ancient foundation, a royal residence during the Middle Ages, the city preserves its rich history and has several museums. Its protected environment of 40 ha is particularly appreciated by filmmakers. And finally, you reach Chantilly, world-renown 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).
    

    • 41.6 miles
    • La Porte Bellon
    • Breakfast

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      Explore Gouda and eat some cheese!

      Experience the best of Europe on this tour that will delight the taste buds as well as delivering a fantastic cycling adventure

11. Day 11Chantilly/Senlis - Paris

    Last day by bike before arriving in the City of Light, the culmination of your journey! Leave Senlis and cycle in the forest for an itinerary in the heart of nature. No crossing of the village to the doors of the region “Ile de France”: guaranteed change of scenery with these great pines and this sandy soil you will be able to believe you ... in the Landes, south-west of France! From Gressy to Paris, the route follows the nice cycle track of the Canal de l’Ourcq, a rural setting on the last 30 kilometers for a safe entrance into Paris, far from cars! Crossing 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.

    • 44.7 miles
    • Holiday Inn Paris La Villette
    • Breakfast

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      Depart from Amsterdam

      Cycle from one of the most bike-friendly places on the planet and enjoy the ambience

12. Day 12Departure from Paris

    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 Paris.
    

    • Breakfast