London to Paris by bike is one of cycling's most satisfying achievements — a journey between two iconic cities that takes in the Kent countryside, the White Cliffs of Dover, the Somme valley and the streets of the French capital. Two routes are possible: Dover/Calais or the Avenue Verte via Newhaven and Dieppe.

Mike Wells's Cicerone guidebook covers both routes in full, with stage-by-stage descriptions, 1:100,000 maps and practical information for every stage. Suitable for first-time and experienced long-distance cyclists alike, both routes follow quiet roads, dedicated cycle tracks and canal and river paths, with gently rolling terrain throughout.

• The classic route covers 490km (304 miles) in 11 stages, starting at the Tower of London and finishing at the Eiffel Tower, passing through Rochester, Ashford, Dover, Calais, Abbeville, Amiens, Beauvais and Chantilly
• The Avenue Verte covers 387km (240 miles) in 9 stages, starting at the London Eye and finishing at Notre Dame cathedral, passing through Redhill, Newhaven, Dieppe, Gournay-en-Bray and Gisors, making greater use of dedicated cycle paths and old railway trackbeds
• Both routes are described north to south, with a summary description also provided for those wanting to ride in the opposite direction; they can also be combined for a round trip
• Stage descriptions are supported by 1:100,000 maps and elevation profiles, with refreshment and accommodation information for every stage and GPX files available to download
• An introduction covers preparation, navigation, getting there and back, accommodation, food and drink, and what to take, alongside a French language glossary and list of cycle shops along the route

Two iconic cities, one unforgettable ride. This is a complete guidebook to everything you need to know to cycle from London to Paris.

Cycling London to Paris - Quick Facts

Classic route: 490km (304 miles), 11 stages, via Dover/Calais 
Avenue Verte: 387km (240 miles), 9 stages, via Newhaven/Dieppe 
Stage lengths: 13 to 63km (8 to 39 miles) 
Key centres (classic route): London, Rochester, Ashford, Dover, Calais, Desvres, Hesdin, Abbeville, Amiens, Beauvais, Chantilly, Paris 
Key centres (Avenue Verte): London, Crawley, East Grinstead, Newhaven, Dieppe, Gournay-en-Bray, Gisors, Cergy, Paris 
Difficulty: Straightforward; gently rolling terrain with a maximum altitude of 204m; suitable for first-time and experienced long-distance cyclists 
Bike types: Suitable for road, hybrid or touring bikes; off-road sections of the classic route (Stages 2 and 8) suitable for mountain bikes at all times, hybrids in dry weather 
Mapping: 1:100,000 maps and elevation profiles included for each stage 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download 
Practical information: Refreshment and accommodation listings for every stage; cycle shops along the route; French language glossary 
Best season: April to October; both routes are possible year-round

Author Highlight

“But these two cities are not isolated phenomena, both being surrounded by attractive countryside with rolling chalk downland, pastoral Wealden valleys and picturesque country towns. There are even two great cathedrals in the land that lies between them: Canterbury (off-route) is the mother church of the Church of England while Amiens (classic route, Stage 7) is the largest cathedral in France.”

- Mike Wells, author of Cycling London to Paris

Map key
Overview map
Route summary tables

Introduction
Background
The routes
Natural environment
Preparation
Getting there and back
Navigation
Accommodation
Food and drink
Amenities and services
What to take
Safety and emergencies
About this guide

Classic route (via Dover–Calais)
Stage 1 Tower of London to Rochester
Stage 2 Rochester to Ashford
Stage 3 Ashford to Dover
Stage 4 Calais to Desvres
Stage 5 Desvres to Hesdin
Stage 6 Hesdin to Abbeville
Stage 7 Abbeville to Amiens
Stage 8 Amiens to Beauvais
Stage 9 Beauvais to Chantilly
Stage 10 Chantilly to St Denis market
Stage 11 St Denis market to Eiffel Tower

Avenue Verte (via Newhaven–Dieppe)
Stage 1 London Eye to Redhill
Stage 2 Redhill to Eridge
Stage 3 Eridge to Newhaven
Stage 4 Dieppe to Neufchâtel-en-Bray
Stage 5 Neufchâtel-en-Bray to Gournay-en-Bray
Stage 6 Gournay-en-Bray to Gisors
Stage 7 Gisors to Neuville-sur-Oise
Stage 8 Neuville-sur-Oise to St Denis station
Stage 9 St Denis station to Notre Dame cathedral

Appendix A Facilities summary tables
Appendix B Tourist information offices
Appendix C Youth hostels
Appendix D Useful contacts
Appendix E Language glossary

Seasons

Both routes can be cycled at any time of year, though April-October is the best period. Off-road sections of Stages 2 (Pilgrims' Way) and 8 (Coulée Verte) of the classic route are best done after a period of dry weather.

Centres

The classic route passes through London, Rochester, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Calais, Desvres, Hesdin, Abbeville, Amiens, Beauvais, Chantilly and Paris. The Avenue Verte passes through London, Crawley, East Grinstead, Newhaven, Dieppe, Gournay-en-Bray, Gisors, Cergy and Paris.

Difficulty

Both routes are straightforward, with gently rolling hills and a few short ascents (the maximum altitude reached is only 204m). City street riding in London and Paris can be avoided by using trains to reach the edge of town. Much of the route follows dedicated off-road cycle tracks along old railway track-beds and canal/river towpaths. Where roads are used, these are mostly quiet country lanes or suburban streets. Mainly asphalt or compacted gravel surfaces in good condition, suitable for hybrid or touring cycles. Off-road options in Stages 2 and 8 of the classic route are suitable for mountain bikes at all times and hybrids or tourers in dry weather.

Must See

The two cities of London and Paris, with their many tourist sights, cultural offerings and gastronomic opportunities; the maritime centre of Greenwich; the North Downs with the Pilgrims' Way and White Cliffs of Dover; the Wealden landscape of Sussex and Kent (England) and the Bray (France); the medieval French towns of Calais, Hesdin, Montreuil, Abbeville and Gisors; the Somme and Oise valleys; the cathedral cities of Rochester, Amiens and Beauvais; the chateau of Chantilly; the limestone plateau of the Vexin

December 2025

Avenue Verte stage 7

November 2022

Travelling with a cycle on Eurostar

December 2020

Author updates

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