Bike-related fun in Paris (and Toulouse)?

[efixler]

Hi everyone! I'll be in Paris for about 10 days, and Toulouse for about 4, in December with my family. I am super-excited: I've never been.

What bike shops or other bike-related activities do people recommend? We've explored other places we've been with guided bike tours and recommendations in this vein are welcome too.

Thanks!

[jet sanchez]

The Alex Singer shop is a must-see.

[efixler]

That does look awesome. Can I afford to buy a bike? :)

The Alex Singer shop is a must-see.

[azrider]

Not to be Debbie downer..............but..........isn't Paris in major upheaval right now ??

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/26/paris-begins-clean-up-after-gilets-jaunes-clash-protest-with-police

https://www.abc.net.au/news/image/10552408-3x2-700x467.jpg

[fiamme red]

http://www.cycleslaurent.com/en/

https://www.velo-vintage.com/

[eddief]

is accessed right in Toulouse. The loveliest bike path I ever been on....for miles and miles and miles.

Take a guided walking tour of Toulouse, a mind blowing place. Offered free by the chamber of commerce.

https://www.google.com/search?q=canal+du+midi&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjkoIzBjPXeAhVDLX0KHeRRCHcQ_AUIDigB&biw=1280&bih=579#imgrc=nG3k75MNZXqP9M:

https://www.french-biketours.com/self-guided-cycling-in-france-canal-du-midi

https://www.leboat.com/boating-vacations/france/canal-du-midi

[efixler]

Thanks! Those shops look great, and, I don't know much about Toulouse, but this looks *amazing*.

I'm aware of the riots there -- my oldest daughter is actually working as an au pair in a Paris suburb atm, and I've been getting updates. Hopefully it passes before we get there.

[bikinchris]

Not a true hard core bike ride, but we have enjoyed taking the bike tour of Versailles. Fat Tire Tours in Paris spends the day doing Versailles and the grounds around it. You meet at their office near Tour Eiffel and ride to the train depot. There, you load the bikes on the train cars and ride it to the town of Versailles. You ride to the town market and shop for your picnic lunch. The ride leader has baskets to hold your food and bottles of wine. You ride to the grounds and explore different parts of it like Maria Antoinette's little village she had built and you end up at the far end of the Grand Canal and stop for a picnic lunch. on the way toward the palace tour, you ride through the gardens, then you ride to the group tour entrance of the palace. After viewing the palace, you return by train back to Paris.

https://www.fattiretours.com/paris/attractions/chateau-de-versailles?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Branded&utm_term=Paris&utm_content=Sitelink&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7Jq_sdn13gIVhR5pCh0mNgVeEAAYASAD EgIQf_D_BwE

Another good tour they do is Paris by night. They ride around and see sites, like Notre Dame at dusk and end up taking a Bateau Mouche ride on the Seine. They sometimes smuggle things onto the tour boats.

https://www.fattiretours.com/paris/tours/paris-night-bike-tour

All of their tours are run by American guides and they have a deep knowledge of Paris.

[efixler]

Thanks, @bikinchris. These tours looks awesome, but it looks like maybe they don't happen in winter. I'll email them and check.