They say if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your travel plans. Well, our first day in Paris, He must have been having a literal riot. We had every intention of getting into to Paris from Serris and immediately hopping onto some bikes. But between the luggage, traffic, and unloading, it just wasn't happening. We had to pull the plug and reschedule.
And man, am I glad we did.
When we finally made it back for our tour a few days later, the April weather was absolutely perfect—blue skies for miles and just enough of a breeze to keep things cool. We met up with our group, grabbed our Unlimited Biking cruisers, and set off to see if we could survive the Parisian streets.
Joining the "Hall of Fame"
We’ve been lucky enough to have some pretty epic adventures over the years. We’ve ridden ATVs through the rugged terrain of Aruba, spent afternoons boating on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Como, and taken that breathtaking train ride through the Andes to the base of Machu Picchu. I’ll be honest: I wasn't sure if a city bike tour could compete with those heavy hitters. But as we pedaled past the Seine, I realized this was easily joining our list of top vacation activities. There’s just something about seeing a city on two wheels that makes you feel like you're part of the scenery rather than just a spectator.
Parisian Cyclists Don’t Mess Around
The first thing you notice is that people in Paris are serious about their bikes. It’s not just a hobby; it’s a way of life. We found ourselves navigating some pretty busy, crowded roads, and you definitely have to keep your head on a swivel. But honestly? The two-and-a-half-hour ride was easy and flat. The city is designed for it, and once you get into the flow, you feel like a local.
The Grand Tour
We covered an incredible amount of ground. Some of the highlights included:
- Les Invalides: Seeing that massive golden dome against the clear blue sky was the perfect way to start.
- Place de la Concorde: Standing at the base of the giant Egyptian Obelisk makes you feel very small, very quickly.
- The Louvre: Rolling right into the courtyard and seeing the glass pyramids without the typical walking fatigue was a game-changer.
- Pont Alexandre III & the Grand Palais: The gold statues and the glass roof of the Palais were stunning in the spring sun.
The Eiffel Tower: The North Star of Paris
It’s funny—you think you’ll lose sight of it, but the Eiffel Tower is like the North Star. No matter where we were in the city, there it was, peeking over a building or framed by the trees. We ended our ride with a perfect view of the Iron Lady herself, standing tall over the green lawns of the Champ de Mars.
The "Pro" Move
The highlight of the day wasn't a monument, though. It was a comment from our youngest daughter. As we were wrapping up, she walked up to our tour guide and proudly announced, "This was the first time I ever rode my bike and didn't fall once!"
The guide didn't even blink. She just looked at her and said, "I really appreciate you telling me that after the tour and not before."
Smart woman. If you're heading to Paris, get on a bike. It's officially "Top Tier" for us.
