Amsterdam to Paris Cycling Holiday

Your cycling holiday starts in Amsterdam. There is so much to see and do so we recommend that you arrive early. Enjoy a walk to marvel at the townhouses in the 17th-century canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Please note that bikes are not allowed on the train from Paris to Amsterdam (or vice versa) so we strongly recommend you hire bikes for this tour.

The first part of your journey takes you through the Green Heart of Holland. It is a cycling paradise, offering beautiful vistas, small farming communities and picturesque towns. Your day ends in the medieval town of Gouda, home of cheese and waffles.

Today you will visit Kinderdijk, a world-famous complex of windmills. Nineteen historical windmills sit together and you can visit an authentic workshop to learn about their history. Your ride continues through Dordrecht, one of the country's oldest towns and we reccomend riding to the harbour quarter with its wonderful historical buildings. The rest of your ride today goes through quiet countryside and national parks before you reach Breda.

You will ride through nature reserves in the south of the country before you cross into Belgium and the historical town of Antwerp. It’s the largest Flanders town and a beautiful place to stop for a beer, one of Belgium's most famous exports.

You head further south along the banks of the river Scheld before turning towards Ghent. The bushes and polders are in abundance today and you will be riding through pure nature. Your destination is Ghent, the self proclaimed most beautiful city in Belgium.

The river Scheldt is still your guide today as you ride through Flanders, home to the Tour of Flanders, a brutal pro race taking in the cobbles (pavé) of the area. You will instead enjoy smooth cycle paths and open fields before heading into the province of Wallonia and then Tournai.

Today you will ride the cycle path along the Scheldt before crossing the border into France. You will enjoy a lovely ride through to the Parc Naturel Régional Scarpe-Escaut, a beautiful national park. You will ride through forests and marshes, along the canals that link Belgium and France. Your destination is Cambrai, a beautiful town where rich private mansions and classic timber houses line the streets.

Today you leave Cambrai by via the Canal de Saint-Quentin, opened by Napoleon himself. Discover the Haute Vallée de l’Escaut and the beautiful Abbey of Vaucelles. You will ride along small hilly roads between villages dominated by agriculture and past memorial sites of the First World War. You will ride along the canal into Saint Quentin. Discover its streets with Art Deco houses, quiet life and cafes.

Your destination today is Compiègne via the valley of Oise. Your ride will be via cycle path of the canals crossing vast natural areas with more than 200 species of birds. Continue towards Noyon, a city of art and history dating back to the 10th century. You will arrive into Compiègne where you can explore its charming streets, museums and cafes.

Today your ride takes in grand castles, medieval towns and large forests, something for everyone to enjoy. Your journey starts in the forest of Compiègne before heading up the Automne river. You will ride the Nery plateau and the forest of Halatte before reaching the charming medieval town of Senlis. Senlis is an ancient city and was a royal residence during the Middle Ages. It has a rich and well preserved history as well as several museums. You will then reach Chantilly, world renowned for its castle, its porcelain and of course cream (Chantilly means cream in French).

Today you will ride into Paris. Leave Senlis and ride through the quiet forests and countryside. From Gressy to Paris, you will ride along a quiet cycle track to the Canal de l’Ourcq, a rural setting which makes way for your grand entrance into Paris. You will cross the capital along the Canal de l’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Martin for the last leg of your journey.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing, or add a few extra days in Paris.