Avenue Verte London-Paris

Your journey starts from the square in front of Notre-Dame cathedral, zero point for the highways of France. After cycling along the roads of the capital discovering its sights, you will follow the charming Saint-Martin canal. This greenway gets you out of Paris without too much difficulty and takes you past fascinating isles and parks, into the world depicted by the Impressionists. The Seine will be your private guide taking you to Maisons-Laffitte, and many curiosities lie along your way.

This stage takes you into a haven of green open spaces. Your journey through Saint-Germain-en-Laye forest will bring you to Conflans-Ste-Honorine and thence to the heart of the Vexin Natural Regional Park which will delight you with its lovely unspoilt landscapes. Old villages, manor houses and chateaux, pretty private homes and of course the natural world are all awaiting you.
You can choose between two differents Avenue Verte routes : the Oise Valley via Auvers-sur-Oise, Chantilly…or the Normandy track via Giverny and Gisors.

This stage has both intimacy and grandeur. Here the little bridges, windmills and fortified castles of the peaceful Epte Valley contrast with the touristic bustle of the village of Giverny. The many miles of greenway created between Gasny and Gisors provide the ideal opportunity to really appreciate the bucolic landscapes punctuated by the river and several lakes. But don’t forget that you are also on the old frontier between France and Normandy which takes you towards the legendary chateau of Gisors.

Leaving Gisors, the tiny roads follow the Epte Valley between the wooded hills of Vexin. You will then travel between peat lands, wet meadows and limestone meadows covered with large numbers of orchids in spring.
The Oise and the Normandy tracks converge to a single main track close the the famous abbey of Saint-Germer-de-Fly.

Leaving Saint-Germer-de-Fly, the greenway cross a superb region of hedged farmlands and apple-tree orchards making an exceptional rural landscape. This stage takes you into the Norman section of the historic Pays de Bray region . The track takes you as far as the old thermal town of Forges-les-Eaux and it’s casino.
This stage takes you into the Norman section of the historic Pays de Bray region. It was here on the former Dieppe to Paris railway line that the Avenue Verte London-Paris was born. Furthermore the places through which you pass still have reminders of their railway past with the houses of level crossing keepers, old railway stations now put to new uses, signs and marker posts…

This stage begins in the heart of the Bray area, veritable picture postcard Normandy with its cattle and its apple orchards. It was here on the former Dieppe to Paris railway line that the Avenue Verte London-Paris was born. Furthermore the places through which you pass still have reminders of their railway past with the houses of level crossing keepers, old railway stations now put to new uses, signs and marker posts… As the miles pass, you will sense the scent of sea air get stronger. And what a finishing line with the impressive white chalk cliffs of the Alabaster Coast!

You’ll begin this third stage in a verdant setting. Cross through the royal forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye to reach Conflans-Ste-Honorine, a proud river port marking the confluence of the Oise and Seine Rivers. The itinerary takes you along the edge of the Oise Valley, with its succession of remarkable towns and villages. This charming valley has inspired some of the greatest painters, including Van Gogh, Cézanne and Daubigny.
You can choose between two differents Avenue Verte routes : the Oise Valley via Auvers-sur-Oise, Chantilly…or the Normandy track via Giverny and Gisors.

Exploring the right and left banks, the itinerary of this fourth stage alternates between the charming holiday residences on the banks of the Oise and the powerful industrial sites of Persan and Beaumont-sur-Oise. Your will then cycle to the timeless Royaumont Abbey and the outstanding Château de Chantilly. From the medieval village of Senlis to Pontpoint, the route will also give you a taste of some of Europe’s famous pilgrims routes (the EuroVelo 3 also called « The Scandibérique » in France . You will be able to discover impressive religious building like the gothic cathedral of Senlis or the Moncel Abbaye.

Exploring the right and left banks, the itinerary of this fourth stage alternates between the charming holiday residences on the banks of the Oise and the powerful industrial sites of Persan and Beaumont-sur-Oise. Your will then cycle to the timeless Royaumont Abbey and the outstanding Château de Chantilly. From the medieval village of Senlis to Pontpoint, the route will also give you a taste of some of Europe’s famous pilgrims routes (the EuroVelo 3 also called « The Scandibérique » in France . You will be able to discover impressive religious building like the gothic cathedral of Senlis or the Moncel Abbaye.

You will cycle into the heart of the Oise - Pays de France Regional Nature Reserve, emblematic of the southern Oise landscapes and atmospheres. Along the way, discover municipalities and forests sharing the same rich historic heritage: the Castle of Chantilly, the Potager des Princes («Princes’ Kitchen Garden»), Senlis Cathedral, Royal Moncel Abbey, the forests of Chantilly and Halatte… An itinerary made for history enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Between the Thérain River Valley and the Picard Plateau, the itinerary becomes wonderfully bucolic, the path will come in what was once the garden of the bishops and counts of Beauvais. Indeed, Castel of Bresles, today’s town hall, was the dignitaries summer residence. The old royal road then takes you to the astonishing church of Saint-Ouen de Therdonne, overlooking the surrounding fields. Finally, you will arrive in Beauvais, with its magnificent cathedral and numerous monuments.

This stage principally follows an old railway transformed into a greenway, passing through a lovely landscape full of attractions, from the gates of Beauvais to the wet meadows of the Pays de Bray. Departing from the SNCF railway station in Beauvais, the itinerary follows the Thérain River, passing right by the painter André Van Beek remarkable garden and the Saint-Paul amusement park. Laughs and thrills guaranteed! The route then offers a succession of varied bucolic scenery, with ponds and picturesque farms and cottages reminiscent of nearby Normandy.
The Oise and the Normandy tracks converge to a single main track close the the famous abbey of Saint-Germer-de-Fly.

This first stage over the Channel is very striking! Soon the tall cliffs, the pretty port-side houses and the coastal landscape give way to the impressive Seven Sisters Country Park. The green of the meadows, the blue of the seas and the white of the chalk create a harmonious ensemble. But civilisation isn’t far away in charming little towns through which we pass on our way.

This stage presents a real culture shock! After the peaceful Worth Way passing through forests and parklands, the itinerary suddenly enters the most modern of worlds. The impressive cycle route which skirts Gatwick airport is both emblematic and memorable. The deafening roar of landings and take-offs will however soon be forgotten as your route soon brings you through the midst of bucolic lakes covered with lilies as far as Redhill.

After the New Town of Crawley, which has expanded greatly in recent decades you reach a bucolic, wooded stretch following the Worth Way, which runs along the disused railway line that once linked Crawley to Tunbridge Wells.

Being both city and a region, Greater London welcomes you for the final miles. Crossed by the Thames and crisscrossed by numerous motorways and roads, this vast territory nevertheless offers a quintessentially British quality of life. Many wonderfully landscaped parks, veritable playgrounds for all generations, offer an astonishingly bucolic environment in the very heart of the metropolis. The Wandle Way will take you into London.