5 refreshing nature getaways 1 hour by bike from Paris
When you think of Paris, you think of incessant traffic, hordes of tourists, and constant noise. This frantic atmosphere appeals greatly to die-hard city dwellers, who see the city as an extraordinary concentration of professional, artistic, and cultural opportunities. But when it is time to get some fresh air and reconnect with a more natural environment, finding the ideal place can be rather difficult. Paul is a recruitment officer for a cosmetics company based right in the center of Paris. He lives just a stone’s throw from work, and several weekends a month, he does not hesitate to get on his bike in search of the most beautiful natural spots around the capital. In this article, he presents the 5 most beautiful places for a refreshing nature weekend about 1 hour by bike from Paris. Let’s hear from him.
1. The Saint-Cloud National Estate
One of the natural spots around Paris that has made the greatest impression on me is undoubtedly the Saint-Cloud National Estate. It takes about fifty minutes to get there by bike from Paris (although, of course, it depends on where you are in the capital). Once immersed in the estate’s 460 hectares of natural surroundings, you quickly forget about traffic jams and the crowds. You need a full day, or even two, if you want to make the most of its many gardens and forests. These gardens were created in 1577, but it was not until around 1660, thanks to the expertise of André Le Nôtre, that they expanded and were transformed into true masterpieces.
As you stroll through the gardens, you can admire the evolution of gardening over the centuries, moving from perfectly manicured French gardens to wilder, more bucolic English-style versions (the Trocadéro Garden). I particularly enjoy sitting near the Trocadéro pond, preferably on a sunny day, and listening to the pleasant sound of the wind in the trees. There are countless paths, more or less winding, that cross and branch off from one another. You are constantly surrounded by extraordinary flowerbeds, centuries-old trees, and small ponds and fountains that bring a little freshness and serenity.
The estate’s gardens are listed as historic monuments and received the “Remarkable Gardens” label in 2005. That certainly guarantees a revitalizing breath of fresh air.
There is no shortage of accommodation in Saint-Cloud, but special mention goes to Villa Ananda Huo for the beauty of its rooms and garden. The welcome is exceptionally friendly, and the owners have a special place for your bike, which will also spend the night safely sheltered.
The next day, why not take part in one of the workshops offered by the estate, or visit the educational farm for a glimpse into the agricultural world?
A little extra: from the city center, if you go to Saint-Cloud via Porte Maillot, you are sure to ride on cycle paths for most of the journey.
2. Saint-Germain-en-Laye and its State Forest
I admit that Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a little more than an hour from Paris by bike, but I also fell completely in love with this forest. At first glance, it may seem like an ordinary forest. But when you explore it more deeply and look into the history of the place, you realize that it is a true journey into the heart of rich nature and a prestigious past.
The route from Paris is fairly straightforward, alternating between cycle paths and stretches on the road. So be careful of traffic, particularly around Chatou and Le Vésinet.
Once there, it is not difficult to park your bike. You can either use one of the many bicycle parking spaces found throughout the town or leave it where you plan to stay.
The royal forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye stretches north of the town and takes us directly into the plant world, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was a hunting ground much appreciated by the kings, particularly Louis XIV. Today, you will certainly no longer come across mounted hunters (although the forest is still very popular with horse riders!), but the atmosphere remains rather solemn. There are two entrances, but I strongly recommend the one through the Saint-Germain National Estate for its magnificent view of the gardens of the Château de Saint-Germain.
Once in the forest, you are faced with a multitude of trails offering walks of varying lengths. I chose the 18-kilometer Oratories Trail, which passes remarkable sites such as the Maison d’Education of the Legion of Honour. Biodiversity is very rich here, both in terms of flora and fauna. You will encounter many beeches, ash trees, chestnuts, and oaks. A short break at Corra Pond allows you to observe numerous birds and insects.
As in Saint-Cloud, there is plenty of accommodation in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. For a luxurious nature getaway, you will find several Relais & Châteaux properties with beautiful gardens and a decidedly relaxing atmosphere.
3. Rediscovering the Bois de Vincennes
The name is so famous and familiar that we almost forget to consider it an interesting getaway idea. And yet! The Bois de Vincennes is clearly one of my essential natural spots to visit by bike whenever I feel the urge for greenery.
Located barely forty minutes from central Paris, the Bois de Vincennes is very easy to reach from the capital via the many cycle paths along the route. And things should improve further, as the government has planned an investment of several billion euros in cycle paths in France.
The Bois de Vincennes and its 995 hectares offer enough space and activities to fill an entire weekend. It may also be an opportunity to explore in detail a place we usually only skim through.
The Floral Park is certainly worth a visit, but it is best to go in spring or summer to fully enjoy the blooms of hundreds of species of flowers and shrubs. You feel as though you are surrounded by a palette of a thousand colors that even the greatest painters would envy. The paths are broad and well maintained, allowing you to stroll and daydream in broad daylight.
After that, there is no shortage of activities: take a boat ride on Lake Daumesnil, visit the zoological park, explore the Tropical Agronomy Garden for a trip around the world, or discover the beautiful gardens of the École du Breuil.
Along the park’s many paths, you will come across monuments from different periods: the Sculpture of Perseus and Andromeda and the Monument to Beethoven.
And when you say Vincennes, you say horse racing. Why not spend a morning or afternoon meeting France’s finest racehorses? I did not, as I preferred to focus on the park itself, but for horse lovers, Vincennes Racecourse is certainly worth a visit.
4. The Fausses-Reposes Forest
South of Marne-la-Coquette, a little over an hour by bike from central Paris, the Fausses-Reposes Forest is slightly less well 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 may be the least crowded and the one that best meets my need for nature in solitude. You are obviously never completely alone, but the many paths in this forest make it easy to lose the few people ahead of and behind you!
The Fausses-Reposes Forest is also a former hunting reserve beloved by the kings. A few centuries ago, it was home to deer, wild boar, and hares. Today, very few remain, but the many centuries-old trees have been preserved, much to the delight of walkers. This very dense, thick vegetation shelters the paths from the sun and offers an ideal escape during periods of intense heat or heatwaves. Chestnut and oak trees make up most of the forest, but other, less prominent species can also be found.
The forest’s royal heritage is very apparent: you will come across many star-shaped crossroads (used mainly for stag hunting), as well as several hunting lodges. Some are protected to prevent deterioration caused by time and people.
The Fausses-Reposes Forest is known for its magnificent viewpoints, made possible by the area’s rather rolling terrain.
On the edge of the forest and New Pond, Hôtel le Corot offers a poetic and relaxing night in a dreamlike setting. The hot tubs overlooking the lake and forest are sure to soothe the calves that 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 château are certainly places that need no introduction, given how renowned they are throughout the world. However, I will not focus on the château and nearby gardens, but rather on the Versailles State Forest a little farther south. This forest is a long way from the château’s immaculately manicured gardens. It has a natural, wild side that certainly contrasts with the frenzy of Paris and the crowds of tourists storming the château.
The Versailles State Forest is a little more than an hour from Paris by bike, and half of the journey is along cycle paths. On the way, you cross the Meudon Forest, which can make an interesting stop for a few hours before continuing on to Versailles.
The Versailles Forest has many hiking trails through wooded, rural, and sometimes hilly landscapes. Numerous ponds and rivers border these paths, such as Minière Pond, and you will enjoy dipping your feet in the water to cool off after several hours of walking. This rather damp environment serves as a breeding ground for many species: birds, frogs, and insects. I always remember to bring my binoculars to observe all this wildlife.
The hiking trails alone provide enough to do for a weekend. But you can also explore the state forest for one day and spend the other visiting the Gardens of Versailles, or walk around the Grand Canal, which is also ideal for immersing yourself in nature.
Near the Versailles State Forest, the lovely Huttopia Versailles campsite makes a perfect base. You can bring your own tent or rent nature accommodation (chalet, cabin, or 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 where you can spend relaxing and refreshing weekends. The ones I have just suggested are about 1 hour by bike from central Paris, allowing you to set off on an adventure almost as soon as you leave home! In the future, cycling infrastructure will be developed more and more, allowing everyone to ride safely. Many of these places are already known to Parisians, but ultimately (and I was one of them!), few have really taken the time to discover them over an entire weekend. That is 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.
