HOLIDAY DETAILS

The Holiday: This trip links two of Europe’s most popular cities. London is one of the largest cities in Europe, with a population of nearly 7½ million people. However once out of the city the countryside stretches from the leafy suburbs of Surrey across the chalk hills and heathlands of Sussex to the English Channel, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
Across the Channel in France the region of Normandy has a long and turbulent history, and in the Middle Ages was under English rule for many years. Well known for its cider and cheese, much of the area is rural with some attractive little villages and elegant chateaux. Flowing through Normandy is the mighty River Seine, which provides a route into Paris from the sea. The capital of France, Paris is an elegant city with a population of just over 2 million people which makes it much smaller and more compact than London. With a wealth of attractions and a fascinating street life, it is the most popular city in Europe.

The Route: The holiday begins at Clapham Common near central London. You follow the Wandle Trail cycle path to leave the urban sprawl behind and escape into the lanes of Surrey. A crossing of the South Downs takes you to the small town and port of Newhaven for the ferry to Dieppe.
You then cross the rolling Normandy countryside, before dropping into the Seine valley. As you near the French capital, the roads become busier, and the route seeks out cycle paths wherever possible.

The Start: This holiday begins at Clapham Common, a couple of miles from the centre of London.

The Finish: The cycling ends at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. From there you make your own way back home that evening. Options include flying from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle to many destinations, Eurostar to London, or a local train to the coast and then a ferry. The cost of returning home is not included in the price of the holiday. If you wish to extend your stay in Paris, we can arrange accommodation at an additional cost of £60 per person night (based on two people sharing, and including breakfast).

Documents: British Nationals require a full passport to visit France. If you are from the UK or another EU country, Canada, the USA, Norway or New Zealand a passport is all you need. Nationals of some other countries require a visa.

Accommodation & Food: Accommodation on these trips is in small hotels, guest houses, and B&B's. Breakfast is included at the accommodation. You should be aware that French breakfasts are generally not as substantial as in the UK. The accommodation has been chosen to ensure that there is a restaurant nearby for an evening meal. This should be with a mile of your accommodation (further details are given in the route information that comes with each trip). If there is no nearby restaurant an evening meal will be available at the accommodation ('Table d'Hôtes').

Bikes & Cycling: The type of bicycle that you bring for this tour is entirely up to you. Some people take mountain bikes, others touring machines. The most important thing is that you are used to the bike and are comfortable riding it. Most of the Bike Adventures route follows minor roads, and traffic is generally very light. There are a few short sections of busier roads, particularly around towns, and some of the town centres can be quite busy, but most of the route avoids roads with heavy traffic.

Weather: The north of France has a similar climate to the southern part of the UK (usually a few degrees warmer).

Maps: Maps are not provided as we are aware that many people will already have some maps of the area. They are not essential as you will be provided with detailed route notes for the tour, but we do suggest that you carry one. They will provide you with useful additional information, and, if you do miss a turning on the route, a map will help you work out where you are.