London to Paris

An early start will allows you and your group with Discover Adventure to avoid the worst of the morning traffic as you pass through the outskirts of London onto quieter roads. It won’t be long before you are among the rolling fields and villages of rural Kent, passing orchards and traditional oast houses where hops are stored. Your group will follow country roads across the hills of the North Downs to Dover and the coast. Taking the ferry to Dunkirk, you will have dinner on board and cycle the short distance to your hotel.

Night: hotel.

(Dinner on ferry not included)

Cycle approx. 130km (80 miles)

You and your group will head south from Dunkirk, riding roughly parallel to the Belgian border. It will be a long day in the saddle, but the terrain is fairly flat as the route passes through small villages and farmland, with some areas of shady woodland. A few hills mid-way through the morning may stretch your legs a little!

The area the route passes through saw a great deal of action in WWI, and many road-names in towns and villages testify to the history. The afternoon ride will be predominantly flat your group travels southeast, though a few hills await before Cambrai, a town which dates back to Roman times.

Night: hotel.

Cycle approx. 163km (102 miles)

The third day will be shorter, but almost continually hilly, as you and your group cross beautiful rolling landscapes, where fields of crops stretch for miles. For the first part of the day the route passes small war cemeteries, a reminder of events a century ago.  You will cross the River Somme before your first water-stop.

Narrow lanes lined with hedgerows will take you through small villages with ancient crumbling buildings, and you will follow wider boulevards through historic towns with striking churches and town halls. The last section of the route runs through an area involved in the WWI Battles of the Aisne, with more cemeteries and memorials to the fallen. With roughly ten miles to go, the road climbs steeply out of the pretty village of Vauxaillon, winding through woodland and into open fields with wonderful views. A rewarding descent will bring you and your group to Soissons, an ancient town which lies on the River Aisne.

Night: hotel.

Cycle approx. 117km (73 miles)

The final day’s cycling will take you south west, on yet more undulating roads through small villages and farmland. There will be some short sharp climbs in the morning, before you reach busier roads. As you and your group cycle through the Parisian streets with Discover Adventure look out for distinctive landmarks, and get excited at being so close to your goal!

After a sweep around the Arc de Triomphe, you will be on the way to the finish point with the lofty arches of the Eiffel Tower behind you. After photos and celebrations, you will cycle the short distance to your hotel to get ready for a final meal together as a group to mark your achievement.

Night: hotel.

Cycle approx. 130km (80 miles)

After breakfast you will be free to explore the city; why not go up the Eiffel Tower or visit renowned attractions such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

You will be responsible for getting yourself and your bags to the Gare du Nord on time for your afternoon Eurostar train back to St Pancras, where you will be reunited with your bike. If you would rather see the whole Tour de France finale, Discover Adventure suggest that you stay in Paris for an extra night and make your own travel arrangements back to the UK (at your own cost). If you intend on doing this, you will need to inform Discover Adventure prior to the confirmed deadline, so that they may cancel your return ticket and reduce your trip cost accordingly.

(Lunch and Dinner not included)

Please note that this trip does not start and finish in the same location