First Euro trip, where to go?

[Jimmy Doug]

I think the best way into Paris would be via the north west. Head to Gornay-en-Bray and then to Gisors. From there go to Magny-en-Vexin and onto Cergy Pontoise. The Bray area is on the border between Picardie and Normandie and the countryside is very typically normand with rolling hills and timber-framed houses. Very pretty indeed. While you're in that area you could make a detour to Gerberoy, reputed to be one of the most picturesque villages in France. The area around Gisors is very pleasant too, but Cery Pontoise is grotty and very busy. From there it's best not to deviate from the path indicated here.

 

[snorri]

If my first Euro trip had been to Paris I'd have been put off cycle touring for life, the barking dogs, the deserted villages, the closed shops. Unless it has changed greatly, the centre is not cycle friendly with it's intermingling spoked wheel form of road architecture rather than the grid system we are more used to in the UK.
The train is the best bet for getting to central Paris, get on a train just before you start to get lost on the approaches to the city, or better still get on at St Pancras.

 

[TheDoctor]

I've cycled in Paris. I wouldn't recommend it as such, there's far nicer bits of France. Normandy, Brittany, even heading north from Calais to Belgium or the Netherlands. It all depends where, when, how much and so on.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

If my first Euro trip had been to Paris I'd have been put off cycle touring for life, the barking dogs, the deserted villages, the closed shops. Unless it has changed greatly, the centre is not cycle friendly with it's intermingling spoked wheel form of road architecture rather than the grid system we are more used to in the UK.
The train is the best bet for getting to central Paris, get on a train just before you start to get lost on the approaches to the city, or better still get on at St Pancras.

It depends how you get into Paris. You're right that the suburbs are very cycle unfriendly. We have people staying at our house on their way to Paris. I always tell them to either go via the west, or stop at Chantilly and take the train in. One guy who stayed here ignored that advice, insisting he wanted to cycle through the northern suburbs. He ended up on a motorway, and even with his GPS got well and truly lost. He texted me later in the day to say that next time he goes he'll take the train through the suburbs!
The route I've posted is probably the best way into Paris from any direction. As for the centre, it's changed a lot over the past five years or so. Now you can go anywhere within the city-proper on a bike (relatively) safely. In fact, I think Paris is now the most cycle friendly big city I've been to - and definitely better than London.

 

[Arrowfoot]

You do not have to ride massive distances to have an adventure. You could get a B&B in calais and spend a week just touring the area.

There is no point in just pedalling all day, in my opinion, if you dont stop and see things or talk to people you may as well stay at home and ride round the block for a week. You end up with the same results. You rode miles, saw nothing and met nobody.

As to where you should go? I am glad I dont have to decide that. It all depends what typecof cycling you like and what your interests are.

Great advice.