5 refreshing nature weekends 1 hour by bike from Paris
Paris means nonstop traffic, hordes of tourists, constant noise. This frenetic atmosphere is very appealing to true city dwellers, who see in this city an extraordinary concentration of professional, artistic, and cultural opportunities. But when it's time to get some fresh air, to reconnect with a more natural environment, it's rather difficult to find the ideal spot. Paul is a recruiter for a cosmetics company based right in the center of Paris. He lives just steps from his work and several weekends a month, he doesn't hesitate to take his bike to search for the most beautiful natural spots around the capital. In this article, he presents the 5 most beautiful places for a refreshing nature weekend about an hour's bike ride from Paris. Let's give him the floor.
1. The National Domaine of Saint-Cloud
One of the natural spots that impressed me the most around Paris is undoubtedly the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. You can get there in about fifty minutes by bike from Paris (of course, it depends on where you are in the capital). Once immersed in the 460 hectares of the natural domain, you quickly forget the traffic jams and crowds. It takes a full day, or even two, if you want to fully enjoy the many gardens and forests. These gardens were created in 1577 but it was only around 1660, thanks to the expertise of André Le Nôtre, that they expanded and transformed into true masterpieces.
Walking through the gardens, you admire the evolution of gardening art over the centuries, moving from perfectly trimmed French gardens to wilder, more bucolic English versions (Trocadéro Garden). I really like to sit near the Trocadéro pond, preferably on a sunny day, and enjoy the pleasant sound of the wind in the trees. There are countless paths, more or less winding, that intersect and diverge. You are constantly surrounded by extraordinary flower beds, century-old trees, and small ponds and fountains that bring a bit of freshness and serenity.
The Domaine's gardens are classified as historical monuments and received the "Remarkable Gardens" label in 2005. Enough to guarantee a breath of fresh air that is surely invigorating.
For the night, accommodations are plentiful in Saint-Cloud, but special mention to Villa Ananda Huo for the beauty of the rooms and its garden. The welcome is exceptionally friendly and the owners have a special place for your bike, which will also spend a well-protected night.
The next day, why not participate in one of the workshops offered by the Domaine, or visit the educational farm for a dive into the agricultural world?
A little extra: from the city center, going to Saint-Cloud via Porte Maillot, you are sure to ride mostly on bike paths.
2. Saint-Germain-en-Laye and its state forest
I admit that for Saint-Germain-en-Laye, we are a little over an hour from Paris by bike, but there too, I truly fell in love with this forest. At first glance, it may seem like a normal forest. But by exploring it more deeply and looking into the history of the place, you realize it is a true journey into a rich nature and a prestigious past.
The journey from Paris is quite straightforward, alternating between bike lanes and road sections. So be careful of traffic, especially near Chatou and Le Vésinet.
Once there, it is not difficult to park your bike. You can either take advantage of the many bike parking spots available throughout the town or leave it where you plan to sleep.
The royal forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye stretches north of the town and takes us directly into the plant world, far from the city's hustle and bustle. It was a hunting ground much appreciated by kings, especially Louis XIV. Today, you certainly won’t see horse-mounted hunters anymore (the forest is still very frequented by riders!), but the atmosphere remains quite solemn. There are two entrances, but I strongly recommend the one through the Domaine national de Saint-Germain for its magnificent view of the gardens of the Château de Saint-Germain.
Once in the forest, you face a multitude of trails offering hikes of varying lengths. I chose the 18-kilometer Oratories trail which passes through remarkable places like the Maison d’Education de la Légion d’Honneur. The biodiversity there is very rich, both in terms of flora and fauna. You encounter many beeches, ashes, chestnuts, and oaks. A short break at the Étang du Corra allows you to observe many birds and insects.
Just like in Saint-Cloud, accommodations are plentiful in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. For a natural and luxurious night, you will find some Relais et Châteaux with magnificent gardens and an assuredly relaxing atmosphere.
3. Rediscovering the Bois de Vincennes
The name is so famous and so familiar that one might almost forget to consider it as an interesting getaway idea. And yet! The Bois de Vincennes is clearly one of my must-visit nature spots to go to by bike when I feel the urge for greenery.
Located just about forty minutes from the center of Paris, the Bois de Vincennes is very easily connected to the capital by the numerous bike paths that line the route. And this should improve even more, as the government has planned an investment of several billion euros in bike lanes in France.
The Bois de Vincennes and its 995 hectares offer enough space and activities to occupy an entire weekend. It may also be an opportunity to explore in detail this place that we only sometimes skim over.
The Parc Floral is definitely worth a visit, but it is best to go there in spring or summer to fully enjoy the blooming of hundreds of species of flowers and shrubs. It feels like being in the middle of a palette of a thousand colors that even the greatest painters would envy. The paths are wide and well maintained, allowing you to indulge in strolling and daydreaming in broad daylight.
Then, there is no shortage of activities: boat rides on Lake Daumesnil, visits to the zoological park, an escape to the Tropical Agronomy Garden for a trip around the world, or discovering the beautiful gardens of the Breuil School.
On the many paths of the Park, you come across monuments from different eras: the Sculpture of Perseus and Andromeda or the Beethoven Monument.
And when you say Vincennes, you say horse racing. Why not spend a morning or afternoon meeting the best racehorses in France? I didn’t do it because I preferred to focus on the Park itself, but for horse lovers, the Vincennes Hippodrome is certainly worth a visit.
4. The Fausses-Reposes Forest
South of Marne-la-Coquette, just over an hour by bike from central Paris, the Fausses-Reposes Forest is slightly less known than those of Saint-Cloud and Vincennes, but it is ideal for a nature weekend close to the capital.
I like coming here because it is perhaps the least frequented and the one that best meets my need for solitary nature. Of course, you are never truly alone, but the many trails in this forest quickly allow you to lose the few people ahead of and behind you!
The Fausses-Reposes Forest is also a former royal hunting reserve loved by kings. It was home to deer, wild boars, and hares a few centuries ago. Today, very few remain, but the many centuries-old trees have been preserved, much to the delight of walkers. This very dense and bushy vegetation protects the paths from the sun and offers an ideal escape in case of heatwaves or scorching heat. Chestnut and oak trees make up the majority of the forest, but other more discreet species can also be found.
The royal heritage of this forest is very present: one encounters a large number of star-shaped crossroads (mainly used in hunting) as well as several hunting lodges. Some are even protected to prevent damage caused by time and humans.
The Fausses-Reposes Forest is known for its magnificent viewpoints, made easier by the rather hilly terrain of the area.
On the edge of the forest and the Etang Neuf, the Hôtel le Corot offers a poetic and restful night in a dream setting. The hot tubs facing the lake and forest will surely relax the calves that have worked hard during the day. This hotel is a true haven of peace for a successful nature getaway.
5. The Versailles state forest
Versailles and its palace are certainly places that need no introduction as they shine worldwide. However, I will not focus on the palace and the nearby gardens, but rather on the Versailles state forest, a bit further south. This forest is far from the meticulously groomed gardens of the palace. It has a natural, wild side that certainly contrasts with the frenzy of Paris and the crowds of tourists storming the palace.
The Versailles state forest is a little over an hour by bike from Paris, and half of the route is on bike paths. On the way, you cross the Meudon forest, which can be an interesting stop for a few hours before reaching Versailles.
The Versailles forest has many hiking paths through wooded, rural, and sometimes hilly landscapes. Numerous ponds and rivers border these trails, like the Étang de la Minière, and you will enjoy dipping your feet in to cool off after several hours of walking. This rather humid environment serves as a breeding ground for many species: birds, frogs, insects. I always remember to bring my binoculars to observe all this little world.
Just with the hiking trails alone, there is enough to do for a weekend. But you can perfectly explore the state forest one day and dedicate the other to visiting the Gardens of Versailles, or take a tour around the Grand Canal, which is also great for a full nature immersion.
Near the Versailles state forest, the lovely Camping Versailles by Huttopia can serve as the perfect base. You can come with your tent or rent a nature accommodation (chalet, cabin, Canadian tent) to extend the "nature" experience to the fullest.
Conclusion
From experience and after years of exploring the surroundings of Paris by bike, I can say that there are many exceptional natural spots to spend relaxing and refreshing weekends. The ones I just suggested are about 1 hour by bike from downtown Paris, which allows you to set off on an adventure almost right from your doorstep! In the future, cycling facilities will be increasingly developed, allowing everyone to pedal safely. Many of these places are already known to Parisians, but in the end (and I was one of them!), few have really taken the time to discover them over a whole weekend. That's exactly what I encourage you to do: forget what you think you know and let yourself be immersed in the unique atmosphere of each of these places.
