In a nutshell
- If you’re comfortable in the saddle, you can easily get around Paris by bike — the city has a well-developed network of dedicated bike lanes.
- We’ve put together two detailed cycling routes through Paris — one along the Seine past the major landmarks, one through the city’s most authentic neighborhoods. Both come with a map.
- You can ride your own bike or rent a bike in Paris. Our top recommendation: the Vélib self-service bikes, available at around 1,000 stations across the city.
- Prefer to let someone else lead the way? Join a guided bike tour — like the popular 4-hour off-the-beaten-path tour through Paris’s historic neighborhoods.
How Safe Is Cycling in Paris?
The streets of Paris are always heavily trafficked. But that doesn’t have to put a damper on your bike tour. Despite the enormous traffic, Paris is actually a great city for cycling.
If you want to explore Paris by bike, there are a few things you should know in advance:
Cycling is permitted everywhere in Paris where corresponding traffic signs are visible, dedicated bike lanes have been created, or bicycles are painted on the asphalt. And by now, that’s pretty much the case throughout the entire city center.
In addition to the bike lanes, you should also keep an eye on Parisian cyclists. They are truly ruthless. No joke.
What feels like a comfortable safety gap back home is a welcome opening for Parisians to overtake or squeeze through. Let them do their thing and just focus on your own ride.
So here’s the takeaway: Biking in Paris isn’t dangerous as long as you follow the traffic rules, stick to the designated bike lanes, and ride confidently and assertively. The traffic rules are coming right up — don’t worry!
Traffic Rules in Paris
Here are the most important points from the Code de la route — Paris’s traffic regulations:
- Pedestrians have the right of way
- Riding on sidewalks is prohibited
- Stop at red lights
- Do not overtake buses
- Always obey traffic signs
- Don’t wear headphones or talk on the phone while riding
- Your bike must be roadworthy and have a bell
- Helmets are required for children under 12; strongly recommended for those 12 and older
Bonus tip: Never stop in the bike lane to check your route. Step off the bike lane and do it somewhere out of the way. Otherwise, you’ll quickly end up in a collision with other cyclists.
Renting a Bike in Paris
In Paris, there are countless ways to rent a bike. So you don’t have to sort through all the options yourself, here’s our top pick right away:
Vélib Bikes in Paris
Vélib bikes are self-service rental bikes — think Lime or Bolt, but Paris-style. You’ll find both mechanical and electric self-service bikes across the city.
Paris has around 1,000 Vélib stations. On the Vélib map, you can see all the stations and the number of bikes currently available.
You can also download the Vélib app — here for iOS and here for Android.
You can rent Vélib bikes either directly at the kiosk at the station or — even better — through the app.
Passes are available for 24 hours (5–10 euros) or 3 days (about 20 euros).
With these passes, the first 30 minutes on the green bikes are free. Blue e-bikes or longer rides cost about 1 to 2 euros extra. Important: payment is by credit card only, and a 300-euro deposit will be reserved.
After signing up, you’ll receive a number and choose a PIN. You enter both directly on the display on the handlebars and off you go.
To return the bike, push it into a free slot at any station until “STOP” appears on the display.
And yes, you can dock the bike at a station every 29 minutes and grab a new one to avoid extra fees on the green bikes. It saves money, but costs time searching for stations.
Bringing Your Own Bike to Paris?
Instead of renting a bike, you can also bring your own to Paris. Depending on how you’re getting there, additional costs for transporting your bike may apply.
For the Eurostar:
- €50 per trip if reserved more than 48 hours in advance
- €70 per trip if reserved less than 48 hours in advance
- Bikes must be disassembled
- Bike parts must be stored in a non-rigid bag (max. 135 x 85 x 30 cm)
- Arrive at the platform 30 minutes before the scheduled departure
- A folding bike counts as standard luggage on Eurostar
For the TGV:
- Tickets can be booked with a bike space — though not on every TGV
- A bike space costs approximately 10 euros and must be booked together with the train ticket
- A disassembled and packaged bike can be transported for free
- Folding bikes are also transported for free as standard luggage
For the NightJet:
- Bikes are currently not permitted on the NightJet route to Paris
More information about getting to Paris by train can be found here:
Important: Bring a good bike lock with a high security rating — for example, a heavy-duty chain lock. This will protect your bike from potential theft.
In general, bike theft in Paris is no more common than in other major cities. There’s always some risk, though.
Also important: Be sure to ask your hotel in Paris in advance whether there’s a place to store your bike.
Bike Routes in Paris on the Map
We’ve mapped out two different cycling routes through Paris for you — both seriously worth the ride.
Sightseeing Bike Tour
The first route takes you 6.5 kilometers through the city center past many of the famous Paris landmarks.
The bike tour starts at Place de l’Alma and takes you along the famous Champs-Élysées.
From there, you ride along Avenue Winston Churchill, where you’ll enjoy a great view of the Grand Palais and Petit Palais.
Passing the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, you cross the Pont Alexandre III and ride along the Seine to the Rives de Seine park.
From here, you cross the Concorde bridge and continue along the Seine past the Place de la Concorde, Jardin des Tuileries, and the Louvre.
After the stunning Seine stretch, you cross the next bridge — the Pont Neuf. It takes you directly onto the Île de la Cité. From there, you ride along the Quai des Orfèvres to the cathedral of Notre-Dame. You’re now in the oldest part of Paris.
From Notre-Dame, you head along the Rue d’Arcole and the Pont d’Arcole to the Hôtel de Ville, where your bike tour through the heart of Paris comes to an end.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Bike Tour
The second route is a little more alternative, takes you away from the tourist crowds, and covers 6 kilometers to the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Our alternative cycling route through Paris starts at Place de Clichy and takes you first to the Quartier Pigalle with the Moulin Rouge — the most famous cabaret in Paris.
From here, you ride along Boulevard de Rochechouart with views of Sacré-Cœur, into the Barbès neighborhood, and on past the La Chapelle district.
Next, you cross the Canal Saint-Martin and ride along Boulevard de la Villette into the Belleville neighborhood. All of these neighborhoods are wonderfully authentic and also packed with great restaurants, bistros, and cafés for a little break.
From Belleville, it’s not far to Père Lachaise Cemetery. We recommend locking up your bike here and taking a walk through the grounds.
Sounds boring? Not at all. It’s actually the final resting place of famous figures like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Édith Piaf — and the many historic mausoleums are seriously impressive.
Important: If you’re planning to take the Paris Métro back, we hate to disappoint you. Bikes are not allowed on the Métro. So you’ll need to return your Vélib rental bike to a Vélib station beforehand. If you have your own bike, you’ll need to ride back.
Guided Bike Tour Through Paris
If you’d rather not explore Paris by bike on your own, a guided bike tour through the city is a great option.
Guided tours have some genuinely compelling advantages:
- A rental bike is included in the tour
- You ride on guaranteed safe routes
- You’re led by a knowledgeable local guide
- You’re guaranteed to pass by the most important highlights
- You can ask the guide all kinds of questions and learn a ton along the way
Here are 3 Paris bike tours we think are really awesome:
Charming Hidden Corners Bike Tour: On this tour, a knowledgeable local guide shows you the most beautiful corners of Paris over three hours — the famous Île de la Cité, the Quartier Latin (one of our favorite neighborhoods in Paris), and the historic streets of the Marais.
4-Hour Bike Tour Off the Beaten Path: This tour takes you through Paris’s historic neighborhoods and past points of interest that most tourists never find — like Rue Mouffetard and the historic Sorbonne University.
3-Hour Guided Bike Tour at Night: This nighttime ride lets you experience Paris after dark. You’ll cycle in a small group through the most beautiful streets to the illuminated landmarks, with your guide sharing fascinating stories about the city’s history along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cycling in Paris
Can you easily bike around Paris?
You can definitely get around Paris by bike — but you should feel confident in the saddle. Traffic in the city is no joke.
That said, there are plenty of great bike paths to ride on.
The cycling routes we suggested above let you pedal at a relaxed pace and take in the beautiful surroundings without battling heavy traffic.
Just make sure you follow Paris’s traffic laws and you’ll be fine.
Can you ride a bike along the Seine in Paris?
Yes! There are some really beautiful bike paths right along the Seine.
Our 6.5-kilometer sightseeing route, which we walk you through above, includes a lovely stretch along the river. Honestly one of the best parts of the ride.
Can you ride bikes in Paris with kids?
Cycling in Paris with kids is totally doable. The key is that your child already rides more or less confidently.
With kids, we’d recommend the sightseeing bike tour we describe above — it follows safe, well-marked bike paths through the city center.
And if your child runs out of steam, you can stop the tour whenever you want.
Important: Children under 12 must wear a bike helmet in Paris!
If you’re visiting Paris with kids, be sure to also check out our detailed guide: Paris with Kids: Activities and Tips.
Do you need a bicycle helmet in Paris?
For children under 12, helmets are required in Paris. For children 12 and older and for adults, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended.
