Paris to London cycling holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Human-powered transport

Cycling is at the heart of this journey from Paris to London. Travellers cover approximately 400 km by bike, following the Avenue Verte from Paris through the French countryside to Dieppe, before crossing the Channel by ferry and continuing by bicycle from Newhaven through southern England to London.

The daily land stages are completed by bicycle rather than by motorised transport, allowing travellers to experience the different landscapes, towns and villages along the route at a slower pace.

Reducing the need for motorised transfers

The journey has been designed as a continuous point-to-point cycling route, so no motorised transfers are required between the daily cycling stages.

Our one-way bike service allows travellers to collect their bicycles in Paris and finish the journey in London without having to transport the bicycles back to the starting point themselves.

The Channel crossing between Dieppe and Newhaven is made by ferry, which carries bicycles. Paris and London are both served by extensive rail networks, giving travellers the option of reaching the starting point and continuing their journey after arrival by public transport rather than by private car.

Accommodation

Wherever possible, we favour small-scale, independent and locally operated accommodation along the route.

When information is available from accommodation providers, we also take into consideration specific measures such as reducing water and energy consumption, limiting single-use plastics, recycling waste, reducing unnecessary laundry and using environmentally responsible cleaning products.

We do not require all accommodation providers to meet a specific environmental certification, so these practices may vary between properties.

Vegetarian and vegan options and local food

Travellers are encouraged to discover seasonal and locally produced food during their journey and are provided with recommendations for independent restaurants, cafés and regional producers along the route.

Vegetarian and plant-based options are recommended where available. On the French section of the journey, travellers pass through Normandy and the Pays de Bray, an area with its own agricultural and food traditions. After crossing the Channel, the route continues through communities in southern England before reaching London.

Choosing independent restaurants, cafés and regional producers means that part of the travellers’ spending goes directly to businesses located in the areas visited.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Travelling along established cycling routes

The itinerary follows the established Avenue Verte London–Paris route, using a combination of cycle paths, greenways and existing roads. More than half of the official route is on greenways, many of which follow former railway lines.

On the French side, the journey passes through the Seine Valley, the Vexin and the Pays de Bray before reaching the coast at Dieppe. After the ferry crossing to Newhaven, the route continues through southern England, including countryside and wooded areas, before approaching London.

Travellers are asked to remain on designated cycling routes and marked paths, particularly when passing through rural, wooded and other natural areas.

Raising traveller awareness

Each traveller receives a digital roadbook containing practical recommendations for their journey, including guidance on behaviour in natural areas.

Travellers are asked to stay on marked paths, respect rules applying to protected areas, avoid disturbing or feeding wildlife, keep noise to a minimum and take their waste with them when bins are not available.

These recommendations apply throughout the rural and natural areas crossed in both France and England. Travellers are also encouraged to carry reusable water bottles and bags and to use recycling facilities where these are available.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

The journey connects Paris and London while including overnight stops in smaller communities along the route. Travellers therefore spend several days travelling through towns, villages and rural areas in France and southern England rather than travelling directly between the two capitals.

Wherever possible, we select independent hotels, guesthouses and locally operated accommodation. Our roadbook also recommends independent restaurants, cafés, shops and regional producers along the itinerary.

Travelling by bicycle gives travellers the opportunity to stop in smaller communities for meals, refreshments, visits and overnight stays. On the French section, the route crosses the Vexin and Pays de Bray before reaching Dieppe, providing opportunities to discover local businesses and regional food traditions.

The journey also introduces travellers to the cultural differences between the regions crossed. After travelling through the French countryside and Normandy, travellers cross the Channel by ferry and continue through southern England before arriving in London.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

We work with tourism providers located along or close to the itinerary, including accommodation providers and other businesses in France and the United Kingdom.

Wherever possible, we choose locally operated providers. This means that expenditure on accommodation and other services is made with businesses operating in the destinations through which travellers pass.

We and our operational partners are expected to comply with the applicable employment legislation and working standards in the countries in which they operate, including legal wage and employment requirements.

The trip can be undertaken with conventional bicycles or e-bikes. Offering both options allows travellers with different cycling preferences and experience levels to choose the type of bicycle that best suits them. Travellers can complete the daily stages at their own pace.