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Versailles Bike Tour

Versailles Bike Tour : Skip The Line

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Versailles, far more than just a Palace!

Our Versailles Bike Tour with reserved entry into the Palace is the perfect way to discover the grandeur of the 2,000 acre Royal Domain of Versailles!

You'll start your tour by exploring the local farmers market and picking up some supplies for your picnic lunch along the lake. Then spend the day discovering the royal grounds, the inside of Marie Antoinette’s private domain, the Grand & Petit Trianon chateaux, culminating in your reserved entry into the beautiful Palace of Versailles with its famous Hall of Mirrors.

Cycle with us and learn about the Sun King’s life and legacies, the scandals of Louis 15th and his 50 mistresses, and Queen Marie-Antoinette during the French Revolution. Your guide will share the French Royalty’s history with you in a fun and interactive way and you’ll go home loving Versailles.

FYI : Blue Fox Travel does not make you carry your Blue Bike™ onto the train, the bikes for this tour are stored just across the street from the Palace, in Versailles.

A perfect day in Versailles.

On our Versailles Bike Tour we’ve planned out everything to be fun, easy, and well organized. We’ve focused on all the little details and created an incomparably awesome, stress free, day of exploration in Versailles.

Start the day by meeting up with your guide in central Paris at the train station named Gare Saint-Lazare (exact details in booking confirmation). We’ll provide the train tickets for you and together you’ll take the train to the town of Versailles. The train ride takes about 35 minutes and then you’ll arrive right next to the Farmers Market. Please note than your Blue Bike™ is waiting for you in our Versailles bike hub, you do not have to carry your bike into the train.

Versailles Farmers Market and picnic by the lake.

Your first stop in Versailles will be the wonderful Farmers Market. There you’ll be free to roam the brimming food stalls and pick up your own lunch supplies for the picnic that’s planned for later in the day. Once you have finished shopping you’ll be fitted to a Blue Bike™ and given some bike panniers (baskets) so you can carry all of your picnic supplies.

Your guide will then lead you into the 2,000 acre Royal Domain of Versailles and show you all of the most picturesque and historically interesting parts of it. You’ll cycle at a medium speed and cover about 11K or 7 miles on mostly flat ground. During this time you’ll stop every 15 minutes or so to hear fun bits of history and learn about the life and legend of our famous Sun King, Louis the 14th, and our infamous Queen, Marie-Antoinette. You’ll also stop for a picnic lunch by the beautiful lake with a view over the Palace.

Louis the XIVth and Marie-Antoinette

Following the picnic you’ll get to experience some of the unique hideaways which the royalty enjoyed when you visit their private homes known as the Petit and Grand Trianons. You’ll learn about and enjoy free time inside of King Louis’ Grand Trianon, his marble summer home with exquisite French Gardens. Then you’ll cycle next door to learn about and explore inside of the very private Petit Trianon, which was built exclusively for the king’s favorite mistress Madame de Pompadour.

Afterwards you’ll have the free time to walk along the little dirt paths from the Petit Trianon to Marie-Antoinette’s Private Domaine. You’ll wander through the adorable English style garden and admire the small farmers village which Marie Antoinette had built for herself. It is unlike any other part of Versailles and gives us a deep and wonderful glimpse into the folly and longing of Marie-Antoinette’s heart. The time spent in the Private Domain of Marie-Antoinette, is completely on foot, as bikes are not allowed, and usually lasts 45 minutes.

Palace and Hall of Mirrors

By this time you will have learned about and experienced so much of the history of Versailles that the only thing left to do is explore inside the main Palace of Versailles itself, so that’s what you’ll do. You’ll say goodbye to your Blue Bike™ and your guide will escort you right to the entrance of the Palace itself where you will say goodbye to them. Inside of the Palace you'll be free to explore at your own pace and focus on the rooms that interest you the most for as little or as long as you like.

Good to Know:

• From April to October the French garden which is attached to the Palace closes at 8:30PM, so you will have plenty of time to visit it after your time inside the Palace.

Tickets to the Musical Fountain Show are included in our tour price only for participants who select the “Adults" fare. For Kids and Paris Museum Passes : tickets can be purchased directly on site if desired. Please note that these tickets are not necessary to have during our tour, you can visit the Fountain Show on your own after our tour is over.

• We’ll provide all of the train tickets to and from Versailles back to Paris. The trains back to Paris leave every 15 minutes and the last train leaves around 11:00pm.
• Most people prefer to spend about 1 to 1.5 hours inside of the Palace. If you’re like them then you can plan on being back in Paris sometime around 6-6:30pm so don’t make any dinner reservations before 7pm!
• Gratuities aka "tips" are not included but welcomed by our guides.

Max. 14 pers. per tour

9 hours approximatly Total cycling: 1.5hrs (easy)

What's Included

• Train tickets
• Palace tickets
• Trianon tickets
• Marie-Antoinette’s estate tickets
• Fountain Show tickets (for all Adult Fare purchases on days when it is running)

All of our tours are commented in English

Dates & Times

All Year Round Everyday at 8:30AM (closed on Monday)

Meeting point

Outside of Starbucks located at "2 Rue de la Pépinière" in Paris.

Click here for picture Reservation required

Want to meet directly in Versailles? Let us know

For the Versailles Bike Tour , you'll meet with your guide in central Paris, outside of Starbucks Coffee located at " 2 Rue de la Pépinière "

This Starbucks Coffee is located outside of a large train station named Gare Saint-Lazare.

Tour Highlights

Once the royal Palace of France's most famous Kings, the Chateau of Versailles is simply outstanding. We pre-reserve the entrance for you so there is no need to stand in the long ticket line!

Local Outdoor Market

Opened in the time of Louis XIV, the Versailles Market is where you'll discover the local specialties, and choose the best ingredients for your picnic lunch.

Marie-Antoinette’s Domain

This was the hide-away of Marie-Antoinette! Seeking a complete break from royal life this private village and farm was built so that she could pretend to be a commoner.

The Royal Grounds

With more than 2,000 acres of beautiful landscapes, fields of crops, an immense lake, and perfectly trimmed trees the Royal Grounds will amaze you.

Grand Trianon

Built by Louis XIV as a summer house. This is where kings would go to escape from the etiquette of the court. Access to the Grand Trianon is included in the tour price!

Picnic at the Grand Canal

Enjoy your lunch while sitting in the soft grass gazing over the largest lake in Versailles. You’ll love the view over the lake and Palace from this secluded part of the grounds.

Petit Trianon

Built by Louis XV for his favorite mistress Madame de Pompadour, this little chateau was later given to Marie-Antoinette. Access to the Petit Trianon is included in the tour price.

Royal Forest

Ride through some of the forests where the Royalty of old used to spend their afternoons hiding from court protocol and hunting stag, pheasant, wild boar, and fox.

French Gardens

This beautiful configuration of flowers and shrubbery is attached to the Palace itself and requires an entrance ticket on Musical Fountain Show days. Please see our FAQ for more info.

Hall of Mirrors

Paris largest and most celebrated Church, built in a true Gothic fashion it has the most beautiful Rose windows and flying buttresses.

Once the Royal Palace, now the largest and most visited museum in the world. The Louvre is home to the mysterious Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the famous glass Pyramid.

The Musée d’Orsay

Home to some of the most beautiful paintings in the world, the Musée d’Orsay has several works of Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh.

Rue Cler market

Parisians have been coming to rue Cler market street since 1826! Taste some of the best of Paris here when you stop for the 30 minute break.

Seine River banks

The banks of the Seine River, in Paris, are so enchanting that they have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll ride along them and behold the beauty of the river life.

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is the place where Marie-Antoinette lost her head! Today is has a 2,000 year old Egyptian Obelisk at its center.

The Grand Palais

Constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair, the Grand Palais is a magnificent architectural feat with its glass, iron and steel beautifully combined.

Champs-Elysées

Known to many as « The most beautiful avenue in the world » you'll have a wonderful view all the way up this avenue to the famous Arc de Triomphe.

Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb)

Les Invalides was once a hospital for wounded soldiers, and is currently a military museum that is home to the tomb of Napoléon Bonaparte.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lots of things can happen that make a person need to change their plans. So you’re welcome to cancel this tour up to 24 hours before it starts and we’ll give you a full refund.

If you plan out your travel time poorly, arrive late, and miss your tour we will feel sad that you missed your tour but we will not issue you a refund.

Yes, we’ve got 2 different smaller sized bikes for kids and adults who are too short to use our Blue Bikes™.

We have baby seats for kids that are between the ages of 1 and 3 years old (max weight 22 kg (48 lbs)).

We also have some cool Burley tandem attachment bikes that are suitable for little kids who are too big for the baby seat but too small to cycle on their own (max weight 38 kg (85 lbs) - max height 137 cm (4 ft 6 in)).

We do NOT have tandem bikes that are suitable for two adults. All adults who join our tour must know how to cycle on their own with confidence. Please do not book this tour if an adult in your party is unable to cycle. We do not have any way to include them in this tour.

Find out more about our bikes here .

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We appreciate and reward fidelity!

Planning on booking multiple tours with us? Contact us to receive a 10% discount . Discount only apply when booking 2, 3 or 4 tours on different dates.

Free Cancellation

We understand that unexpected events can change your travel plans; for this reason Blue Fox Travel offers a full refund, for any reason, if you cancel more than 24hrs before your reserved tour is scheduled to start.

Small Groups

Small Group = Better Experience

We keep our groups small to ensure a more personal and higher quality experience for you.

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These are the Terms & Conditions that apply to any tour run by BLUE FOX TRAVEL in France under the brands BLUE BIKE TOURS or BLUE FOX TRAVEL. In this document, BLUE BIKE TOURS might be abbreviated as BBT and BLUE FOX TRAVEL as BFT.

BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée - Limited Liability Company) at the Paris Chamber of Commerce under the number : 534 151 576 BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered French Travel Operator under the licence : IM075160040 BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered Public Service Vehicle Operator under the Licence : 2016/11/0007784 Because BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered French company, and all of our tours take place in France, only the French Law will apply in the case of any conflict. Last updated : January 2019. Valid until : the end of the world.

I - Cancellation Policy

BFT offers a 100% refund if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour. The notification must be made by email. No refunds are given for ANY reason once within the 24 hrs prior to the scheduled tour. All of our tours run Rain or Shine. We do not issue refunds if you choose to skip your tour because the weather doesn’t suit you. You can always wait until the last minute to book your tour to ensure the weather suits you that day. BFT reserves the right to cancel any of its tours last minute in case of an Act of God or crazy act from a large group of people. Flooding, hail, dangerous weather conditions, riots, etc. In such instances full refunds will be given to anyone who had their tour cancelled.

II - Satisfaction Guarantee Policy

If the tour you took with us didn’t live up to what we promised you on our website and failed to meet your expectations, we will be heartbroken. We will also give you a 100% refund so long as you do all of these things: You remember that we we are in no way responsible for the weather and that our guides actually have to give 110% of themselves to you on days when the weather is not as nice in order to help you enjoy the tour. You participate in the entire tour from: being on time at the meeting point until the “goodbyes” at the very end of the tour. You can’t leave a tour half-way and ask for your money back. At the end of the tour you tell your guide, in person, that you were not satisfied with the tour you took. You provide your tour guide with the reasons you were not satisfied with the tour itself.

III - Payment Policy

A valid credit card is required to secure your booking. All reservations must be prepaid online prior to the tour. We accept Visa, Mastercard. None of your personal credit card or billing information is stored by BFT.

IV - Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. Your personal informations will never be disclosed to any third parties.

V - Child Policy

All reservations made for children under the age of 18 years old must be made by an adult and we must be informed at the time of booking exactly how many children are in your party and their ages. This is vital information as it allows our guide to prepare the proper child sized equipments for the bike tours and the booster seats for all day trips/excursions that use one of our vans. All reservations made for a minor under the age of 18 years old must also include the reservation for an adult who will be 100% solely responsible for the safety and well being of the child while on the tour. Every child, under the age of 12 years old, partaking in a bicycle tour will be required to wear a helmet and a reflective vest as per French Law. The adult who accompanies the child agrees to the responsibility of choosing a properly sized helmet, adjusting the helmet, and keeping the helmet on the head of the child during the whole tour. Blue Fox Travel has helmets in multiple sizes for you to choose from at no cost. Don't forget: Children who will be riding in a baby/child seat, on a tandem attachment bike, or in a booster seat in one of our vans absolutely MUST have their seat reserved beforehand. We NEED to know exactly what your child will need before they show up. Please make it clear in the “Special Requirements” section of our booking form.

VI- Child Bike Policy

Children who will be riding on their own may be subject to a very short test run before the tour starts in which they will be expected to demonstrate: that they are well suited for their bike’s size and settings, that they know how to brake properly and that they are, in general, good cyclists who can be trusted to follow their tour guide in a safe manner. We own 20” and 24” kids bikes (size of the wheel). Adult bikes are 26”. If the guide, or manager, finds that the child is not, for any reason, a good enough cyclist then the guide, or manager, has the right to refuse to let the child follow the tour on a personal bike. This means they will either be asked to ride on one of our ‘tandem attachments’ which is attached to the back of a parents bike OR asked to ride in a child seat attached to the back of a parents bike. If the child refuses the change, then the guide or manager has the right to cancel the reservation, and not allow you and your child on the bike tour. Refunds will not be issued if your reservation is cancelled because of your child not being able to cycle and their refusal to ride attached to you. Baby seats are for kids that are between the ages of 1 and 3 years old (max weight 22 kg (48 lbs)). We also have some cool Burley™ tandem attachment bikes that are suitable for little kids who are too big for the baby seat but too small to cycle on their own (max weight 38 kg (85 lbs) - max height 137 cm (4 ft 6 in)).

VII - Damages to Blue Fox Travel Property

If you or anyone in your party damages a vehicle, a Blue Bike™, a vehicle, a child's bike, a helmet, a baby/child seat, a tandem attachment bike, any bike attachments, or a booster seat in such a way that it becomes badly disfigured, broken, or unusable, then BFT reserves the right to claim a fee of up to the cost of repair of the damaged bike/vehicle or object.

VIII - Miscellaneous

Home > Versailles > Visit Versailles by Bike – A Local’s Guide

Visit Versailles by Bike – A Local’s Guide

Day trip to versailles by bike.

A Versailles bicycle tour is a fun way to spend a day out of Paris, combining exercise and sightseeing. Visit Versailles Palace and kilometers of trails laid out for French monarchs from the comfort of your bike!

This article gives information and our best tips on how to visit Versailles by bike – alone or on a guided bike tour. After reading this quick guide, you will see that it is straightforward to explore Versailles by bike.

Don’t worry if you don’t have your own bicycle for visiting Versailles; we also tell you how to get one.

Related Articles

Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. Check out the list of  best day trips from Paris

Château de Versailles is one of the   most famous castles near Paris , built in the 17th century as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII. Years later, King Louis XIV , his son, moved to Versailles with his family and the royal court, and he undertook major works to transform the château into one of the most beautiful French castles .

Versailles Estate includes the Palace, Trianons, formal gardens, and a forest. Versailles gardens and forest feature 200,000 trees, 50 fountains , and a 5.57km canal. Believe me; you will want to explore the Versailles Estate as much as you can!

The Palace of Versailles is one of the top sights to visit near Paris. We recommend a day trip to Versailles from Paris in the following Paris itineraries:

• 4 days in Paris it inerary
• 5 days in Paris itinerary
• 6 days in Paris itinerary

Why a Versailles Bike Tour is a Good Idea

The Versailles Estate was built with traveling by horseback in mind, so the spread-out grounds are much more manageable on two wheels. A 30-minute hike on foot is cut down to five by bike, allowing you to see much more without wondering where the next bench is.

Versailles by bike tour is easy! The  Versailles Estate is totally flat, so you don’t need to be an experienced biker or super fit to enjoy a Versailles bike tour.

How to Visit Versailles by Bike

If you are considering a Versailles by bike day tour, you can do it alone or with a guided tour. Go on reading for all the options:

1. Join a Guided Versailles Bike Tour

A Versailles by bike day tour from Paris always comes with bike rental, a knowledgeable guide, and skip-the-line access to Versailles Palace, Trianon Palaces, and the Queen Hamlet.

After arriving at Versailles train station, the group usually goes to the market to buy some food for a picnic later by the canal. The tour finishes at the palace, where you will get an audio guide for a visit inside. You can tour the Palace at your own pace, as long as you wish, before heading back to Paris.

A Versailles by bike day tour is a good idea. The guides know many stories about Versailles and its guests, and you can ask them as many questions as you want so the visit is more interactive. Also, they know when is the best time to visit each building to avoid crowds for a more pleasant visit.

TIP: This Versailles bike tour , with Palace and Trianons visit, is consistently rated 5 stars and has excellent reviews. Forget about logistics and tickets and have fun!

2. Self-Guided Versailles Bicycle Tour

For some, the best way to visit Versailles will be a self-guided bike tour at their own path and visiting what they want.

If you have a bicycle, the next chapter will tell you how to transport it from Paris to Versailles by train.

If you don’t have a bicycle, the next chapter will tell you all the Versailles bike rental options.

Tips for Planning a Self-Guided Versailles Bike Tour

1. get your versailles tickets in advance.

READ MORE: Versailles Skip the Line Tips

If you also want to visit the Palace and /or the Trianons during your Versailles bike tour, buy your tickets well in advance. Versailles proposes different kinds of tickets, so it is important to understand what you can visit with each ticket.

Compare the best Versailles Tickets

TIP: The Paris Museum Pass for 2, 4, or 6 days also includes skip-the-line access to Château de Versailles and the Trianons!

2. Versailles Bike Rental

In Versailles, it is possible to rent bikes for adults, children, and tandem bicycles in different places of the park.

There are three Versailles bike rental points:

• Little Venice (by the canal),
• Saint Antoine Gate ,
• The Queen’s Gate .

Little Venice bike rental point is always open whilst the other two points only open on weekends and holidays. Opening times are from 10 am to 5 pm or 6.45 pm depending on the season.

On weekends we recommend renting your bike at the Queen’s Gate because it is the closest point to Versailles Rive Droite train station (850 m, 11-minute walk).

On weekends, there’s also the possibility of taking a bike at one point and relate it to another.

Rental prices are €18 per half-day (4 hours), €20 per day (8 hours).

Unfortunately, the Velib bikes are not available in Versailles.

3. Bringing Bikes on the Train from Paris to Versailles

To travel from Paris to Versailles by train, you will take a Transilien train from Paris Gare Saint Lazare (Paris 8) to Paris Rive Droite train station. This is a 35 min ride, and you don’t need to book train tickets in advance.

In the Parisian Region, it is possible to transport your bike on trains for free but it is subject to certain conditions:

• From Monday to Friday you need to travel out of peak traffic hours before 06.30, between 9.30 and 16.30, and after 19.30.
• No time restrictions on Saturday, Sunday, and bank holidays.
• If trains are crowded, do not board with your bicycle.
• On the train, on platforms, and in stations, you must walk your bicycle. For safety reasons, don’t take escalators with your bike.

Look for the train wagons with the bike logo. These wagons are adapted for bikes, with special hooks to fix the bikes. When traveling on a Transilien train, you are responsible for transporting, handling, and watching over your bicycle.

From Versailles Rive Droite train station, it is only a 5-minute bike ride to the Queen’s Gate.

Self-Guided Versailles by Bike Day Tour – Suggested Itinerary

Click here to view the Google Map

IMPORTANT: Bikes are not allowed inside the formal gardens and the Estate of Trianon.

We recommend starting your Palace of Versailles bike tour at the Queen’s Gate (2) at 10 am, earlier if you come to Versailles with your own bike.

Explore the park and forest between points (2), (11), and (10). Then head to the bike racks at La Petite Venise (3) to park your bikes and visit the palace’s formal gardens on foot (4).

Take your bike and after admiring the Apollo’s fountain (5) look for a nice spot for a picnic on the grass by the Grand Canal (6) or a light meal at the restaurant La Petite Venise (you can book here )

Do the canal tour, stopping for some pictures at La Lanterne (7) and the Royal Star (8). Then it’s time to visit the Grand Trianon (9), Petit Trianon (10), and the Queen’s Hamlet (11), which open at 12 pm.

Leave the Palace of Versailles for late afternoon, when there are lesser crowds. The entrance to the palace is at Place d’Armes (12). We suggest a 2-hour visit, from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

Versailles Bike Tips, Do’s & Don’ts

Bring lots of water, wear comfortable clothes and cover your head in the summer.

Bikes are not allowed inside the Palace’s formal gardens and inside the Estate of Trianon.

WHERE TO PARK YOUR BIKE IN VERSAILLES?

Bike racks are available in different spots throughout the Estate of Versailles: in front of the Place d’Armes, next to the Queen’s Gate in the Park, near the Grand Trianon, near the Petit Trianon, La Flottille restaurant, and the Petite Venise.

You can have your bike with you on the grass when having your picnic by the canal.

We also parked our bike in one of the car parks near the formal gardens.

Click here for more Versailles articles

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Quirky parisian explorer with a preference for lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about me ., i am elisa, the travel blogger behind world in paris. quirky explorer with a preference for the local side of my city and its lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & my best tips learn more.

Versailles Bike Tour from Paris

See the best of the palace and gardens & enjoy a picnic with parisian delicacies.

Max 18 Guests

Looking for an exciting way to explore Versailles while you’re in Paris? Join this unforgettable, guided bike tour of Versailles’ top sights! Cruise from an outdoor market to the Queen’s Hamlet, enjoy a picnic lunch on the Grand Canal and visit the Grand Trianon. Cap off your exploration with a visit inside the royal palace! Roundtrip trains from Paris, bicycle and helmet rentals, and entrance tickets are included, so all you need to do is enjoy the adventure!

Tour Overview

Select participants and date.

Check Available Tours

What's included

Friendly English-speaking guide

Transportation

Bike with helmets

Grand Trianon, Hamlet, Chateau de Versailles, and more

Lunch break

Max 18 people

Wheelchair accessible

Your meeting point is at Javel-André Citroen metro station

Arrive at Versailles

Pick up bicycle

Versailles outdoor market​

The Grand Canal

For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change

Meeting and drop-off point

What to bring?

See what people are saying

Amazing and fun!

Carol Doering

September 08, 2024 21 pm EST

My sister and I signed up for the Versailles Bike Tour. What an amazing tour! Julian, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and made learning about everything Versailles fun. I will concur with another traveler’s review, we also would have been lost! I think seeing the Queen’s hamlet was the highlight (well, that and riding right up to the Olympic banner). Skipping the line at the end of the bike tour was pretty great too. If I ever go back, I will do this tour again. It was so worth it and I would highly recommend it.

Beautiful way to see Versailles

Jane Condoleon

August 20, 2024 06 am EST

Our tour guide was Julian - he was so amazing. Super friendly, gave us lots of information that was interesting. We had two boys with us and they were entertained. It’s a beautiful place and riding our bikes through was an amazing experience! Highly recommended

Guided Excellence through the wonders of Versaille

Nadine Bissland

July 25, 2024 01 am EST

Our tour guide Julien was fantastic as we explored the beautiful groves abs fountains of Versailles gardens. He was knowledgeable about the statues and history of the gardens and gave us plenty of time to see everything. The highlight for my active family of 3 boys (16 , 11 and 8) was the bike riding through the gardens and then to the town centre to explore the market allowing us to purchase a selection of cheeses, breads and dips to have a picnic in the gardens. It was truly a fabulous day. Thank you Julian!

James Gawenis

July 11, 2024 07 am EST

Guide was prompt and very informative. Extremely helpful to have guidance for choosing lunch in the market. We really appreciated his attention to safety for the kids and the interesting history. Invaluable to have someone to show us around. We would have spent most of the day lost if we had gone on our own. We usually do not take tours but this one was very fun and worth every penny. Thanks!

Fantastic tour

Victoria Cross

July 11, 2024 05 am EST

Our guide was delightful, knowledgeable, and kept us moving at a great pace through the tour. I feel like we got a great introduction to Versailles. With only one day to spend there, I didn’t want to “explore on my own” as I wouldn’t have known where to go or how to pace the day. The market for the picnic was fantastic - it looked like it was full of locals and was a great change from the more touristy sights in Paris. I would not have found this on my own - or known how long to borrow the bikes - or navigated to the hamlet. It was so relaxing having a guide who knew where we were going.

Brilliant tour guide!

Sherry McCranie

July 05, 2024 15 pm EST

Juliene was the perfect guide for Versailles! His knowledge snd expertise was evident in the information he shared with our small group of 4! We had an extensive tour of the gardens and introduction to the village of Versailles with wonderful food from the markets. I highly recommend this tour and Juliene as the tour guide!

Active Day Covering Lots of Ground!

Kelly Davis

June 28, 2024 14 pm EST

My 15-year-old daughter and I enjoyed this tour and found it to be a great way to see the palace, gardens, Trianon and Hameau all in one day. The tour involves a somewhat ambitious and rigorous schedule with a lot of walking and biking around the estate and through the city streets, so it is best for active individuals and I wouldn't recommend it for young children. The picnic offers a peaceful break in the middle of the day, and it was lovely to be able to pick up fresh, local items from the city market for lunch. We want to give a lot of credit to our tour guide, Julien. Our group had a number of mishaps throughout the day, and he managed everything calmly, professionally and with good humor. He is incredibly knowledgeable and shared wonderful historical tidbits that added to our enjoyment of the day. Bravo!

Great experience!

Heidi Morris Whidden

June 21, 2024 20 pm EST

We had a wonderful day and tour. Initially, the workers were on strike, which made us wonder if the tour would go on. However, our tour guide quickly adjusted and made the day amazing. In the end we were able to see everything we have been promised. Thank you for a great day!

June 13, 2024 06 am EST

12/10 trip!

System Admin

May 18, 2024 17 pm EST

My daughter (10) and I absolutely LOVED this trip. It was so fantastic to be guided around - from the train in Paris, through the gardens of Versailles, into town shopping and then around the grounds. Julien, our guide, was knowledgeable, flexible and easy to talk to. We really enjoyed the entire day and can say with confidence that had we chose to explore Versailles on our own, we would not have seen near as much!

Outstanding Experience

Michael S Patterson

April 29, 2024 06 am EST

It was a wonderful day of exploration, information and fun with our expert guide, Julian. He brought the history to life for us and was an excellent guide on this biking and walking tour. Worth the time and money.

Versailles bike tour

Janna Radtke

October 24, 2023 13 pm EST

We lucked out with a nice sunny day for our tour- rain would have made it not as enjoyable since we were outside for a lot of the time. We met our tour guide, Julien, at the meeting spot and from there everything was smooth. We really enjoyed seeing the beautiful market in the town of Versailles and appreciated the recommendations from Julien on what to get. We might not have gone there otherwise if we were on our own so I was very pleased to get to also experience that with the tour. He was very knowledgeable and informative on French history, which makes touring Versailles that much better if you’re not versed in it already. He was with us biking and through the gardens, but we toured inside the buildings on our own, finishing in the main palace at our own pace. It was a nice day and I’m happy we went with the bike tour. Bring comfortable clothes to bike and walk, and we also had a backpack to put our food in that I’m glad we brought since we had leftovers. Thank you Julien!

This was the way to do Versailles!

Robin Murphy

October 06, 2023 08 am EST

We had been told that Versailles is worth a full day and that the gardens are bigger than can be imagined. They were right! The tour was perfect for us after several days of city site-seeing. Benjamin met us promptly, was delightful and informative. We walked through the main garden to get to a cafe where we had coffee while our bikes were arranged. The bikes was fine and had good baskets. We rode through a portion of the garden and Trianon section to get into the charming city of Versailles, went through the farmers market getting sandwiches and fruit for a picnic lunch. Then over to ride through around the Grand Canal, picnic lunch, explored more gardens (Mon Dieu, there are amazing sculptures and water fountains everywhere), then to the Grand and Petit Trianon— amazing in different ways. Then returned the bikes and walked back up to do a self-guided tour of the inside of the Louvre. Spectacular as well. Benjamin lived in the US though he is a native Parisian so his English is beyond excellent. Wonderful trip. One of my colleagues was there at the same time and had only allotted 2 1/2 hours for the gardens and palace, totally regretted not having allotted more time and was OMG about riding bikes (because it really is that huge).

Where to meet?

Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

What happens if it rains?

Is lunch included in the price of the tour?

Can I bring my kids and do I have to pay for them?

Where does this tour end?

Can I meet my guide at Versailles?

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All our destinations.

Bike & Brunch: The Best of Versailles

The Best of Versailles in Half a Day

Our Versailles Bike and Brunch tour is the most time efficient way to see the best of Versailles with ease in just half a day. Why walk with the crowds & stand in line when you can bike, brunch & skip the line?

Join us to ride, taste & hear the scandalous tales of the French Royal Family on this truly memorable half day trip.

What's Included

• Roundtrip Transportation from Paris to Versailles
• Classy Bike & Optional Helmet
• Skip the Line Entry to the Château via a Side Entrance Reserved for Licensed Guides
• Guided Tour Inside the Château de Versailles with a Licensed Guide
• Guided Tour of the Royal Inner Gardens & Fountains
• Visit to Versailles' Award Winning Open Air Food Market
• Guided Bike Tour of the Royal Grounds
• Queen's Hamlet

* Please note that on our half day tour we do not visit the Queens’ Hamlet due to time restraints. If you would like to see this check out our Full Day Versailles Tour .

• Duration: Half Day
• Intermediate Cycling
• Central Paris Meeting Point
• Travel to Versailles by Train
• Group Size: Up to 12
• Skip the Line Access
• Hosted in English

When:  Weds & Thurs

Start Time : 8am

Book with Confidence:  Any experience can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 24hrs before the experience starts.

Still have questions? We are here to help.

What to Expect

Why walk with the crowds & stand in line when you can bike, brunch & skip the line?

We take the train to Versailles where we are licensed to guide inside and Skip the infamous Line through a dedicated side entrance reserved for licensed guides to explore the Château & iconic Hall of Mirrors. We ride through the town, and visit the local market to shop for our picnic lunch, before riding into the breath-taking Royal Grounds. 

The stunning 2,000 acres of Versailles are far larger than most expect. You can save your feet, escape the crowds & discover secret places seen by few tourists & unknown to Parisians. Our bikes enable us to access places others cannot, the ride is leisurely, far from the Tour de France! 

Having worked up an appetite we lay out our French picnic brunch by the Grand Canal. The perfect way to finish a day exploring, with a view of the Palace!

Good to Know

All adult guests must be able to ride a bike. Leisurely riding on this tour – far from the Tour de France!

• Meet in Central Paris & travel to Versailles with your Guide.
• Bikes based in Versailles (no need to carry them on the train).
• Bikes available for all ages: including childseats & tag alongs.
• Fountains do not run on Weds, Thurs, Fri
• Return to Paris around 3pm

Prefer A Private Tour?

All of our tours are available as private experiences which are tailored just for you – Versailles at your pace with only your favourite people.

Our Guided Tour of the Château

We enter via a side entrance reserved for licensed guides & guide you inside the Château through the Grand Apartments, State Rooms, King’s Apartments, Hall of Mirrors & Queens Apartments.

Your guide will skilfully lead you through the Château and bring it to life with stories & anecdotes – crafting a meaningful, entertaining & engaging experience.

We are proud to be one of the few tours licensed to guide inside the Palace & mic up so you that you won’t miss a thing! 

You'll Love

Skipping the lines into the Château, to see the famed Hall of Mirrors, while your guide shares insights and stories, bringing history to life.

Riding away from the crowds into the beautiful grounds of Versailles.

• Skip-the-Line Access to the Château de Versailles
• Guided Tour of the Château
• Hall of Mirrors
• The Town of Versailles
• Versailles Open-Air Market
• Picnic along the Grand Canal
• Versailles Royal Gardens & Fountains
• Versailles Musical Fountain Show (on set days)
• Ride by the Grand & Petit Trianon

Easy to find.

Our Versailles Bike Tour meets at a train station in central Paris:

Gare Montparnasse, 17 Boulevard de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris

Please meet us at the top level of the Montparnasse train station, under the Platform 20 & 21 sign.

We take the train to Versailles where bikes are ready & waiting. We recommend using the app City Mapper to navigate your way around.

Want to meet directly in Versailles? No problem, just let us know

Frequently Asked Questions

It is almost as if Versailles was designed with our bike tour in mind. The majority of our ride takes place within the Royal Gardens, where we can enjoy stress-free cycling, far from the traffic and crowds. Outside of the gardens, cycle paths weave their way throughout the town and are set on the footpaths, away from traffic.

Please meet us at the top level of the Montparnasse train station, in Hall 1, under the Platform 20 & 21 sign.

Do feel free to come earlier for a coffee & croissant to kick start your day.

Once in Versailles we saddle up on bikes that are stored at our base in Versailles.

We frequently have children join our tours, and have a fleet of children’s bikes, tandems, child-seats and helmets for them – we love sharing the day with families and take great pride in entertaining and ensuring the safety of all ages throughout the day. 

Of course. All our tours of Versailles include a guided tour of the Palace with a fully licensed member of our team. We do not abandon you with an audio guide. We use earpieces so you can hear your guide, can ask questions & don’t miss a thing! If there is one Palace in the world to visit, this is the one!

All of our tours operate rain or shine and we provide free rain jackets. As we are licensed to guide inside the Château we do adapt & spend more time inside the Palace. We bring rain jackets, good humor & a sense of adventure!

We limit our group sizes to 12 riders per group in Versailles to keep you safe, cover more ground & offer a personalised experience.

Absolutely not, our bikes are located in Versailles. 

Yes, simply let us know in the notes section when you book and we will contact you with details of where and when to meet us in Versailles.

We provide all the essentials for your day in Versailles; all you need to remember is to pack your camera, comfortable clothes & some euros for purchasing your picnic lunch at the local market.

No. All tickets, travel (including train tickets to and from Versailles), access to Versailles, the gardens, and the gardens are all included.

Versailles: Food & Palace Bike Tour

This is our most comprehensive tour of Versailles. It is a full day but not structured like a normal tour with plenty of time to relax, drink wine, ride a bike and explore. On this tour we visit:  

• The town of Versailles
• The award-winning farmers market
• The Inner Gardens & Fountains (on set days)
• Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet
• Picnic by the Grand Canal
• Picnic lunch at guest’s cost, while exploring the local farmer’s market

This tour is designed for those travellers who wish to see as much of Versailles as possible in just half a day. On this tour we visit:  

• The Inner Gardens  
• We do not visit Marie Antoinette’s hamlet on this tour.

Sunset Versailles Bike Tour with Fireworks

Approximately 8.5 hours

From  €129

Experience the magic of the Sunset Versailles Bike Tour with Fireworks

Our Versailles Sunset Bike Tour is an experience you will remember for life – a magical evening and the chance to see Versailles in the glow of sunset. For a limited number of Saturdays in the summer, the gardens will be brought to life with special effects, music, lighting, and a stunning fireworks display.

You’ll start by meeting your guide in central Paris to help you get out to Versailles by train. Once we grab our bikes, we’ll ride over to the market square where we will point out bakeries and shops where you can buy food for a snack later in the day.  We’ll be providing a glass of bubbly for everyone that we can enjoy together, along the Grand Canal.

The grounds of Versailles are massive and most people miss out on them because they are too far to explore by foot. We will easily bike through tree-lined trails and paths, taking in the majestic views.

We’ll stop to point out Marie Antoinette’s hamlet, giving you all the history and back stories on royal life at Versailles, including its three most important kings. Your expert Fat Tire guide will bring the fascinating history of the French royalty and the palace to life, in the fun manner that has made our signature Versailles Bike Tour so famous.

We’ll then stop at the Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon before heading over to the Grand Canal, where we’ll stop for a quick snack break and a glass of bubbly that we can toast as a group!  With the sprawling chateau as our view, it’s the perfect photo opportunity.

After a brief pause, it will be time to visit the chateau with our pre-reserved entry time (forget those hours-long lines). We’ll get to access to the chateau after hours, when all the crowds have exited. You’ll get to avoid the normally wall-to-wall packed rooms and enjoy plenty of space to view the royal grandeur with a limited number of people. You’ll also get to see costumed performers as they dance, sing, and play musical instruments within the chateau rooms.  The performance includes singing, dancing, and a fencing/fighting demonstration; please note that while all speaking takes place in French, it is easy to follow the storyline and enjoy the performances.

But the best part is yet to come! After your chateau visit, you’ll enter the gardens for a spectacular evening fountain show. Each of the best groves of the garden have the fountains running (they normally only run for a couple hours per day), and they will be filled with music and special effects.

You’ll get to see Versailles at its very best – at sunset, with limited people inside the palace, and with the magical fountain show. At the end of the evening, you’ll be wowed by a spectacular fireworks display over the Grand Canal. This is the best way to experience Versailles and an evening you’ll never forget.

Tour Details

What’s included.

• Helmet (provided but optional)
• Roundtrip transportation from Paris to Versailles
• Guided tour of Royal Grounds
• A glass of bubbly for each guest (non-alcoholic options available)
• Timed Entry to Château
• Tickets to Evening Fountain Show in the Gardens with Fireworks
• Special After-Hours Access to Costumed Performances in the Chateau

Good to Know

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour departure.
• We highly recommend using public transportation to get to the meeting point as car traffic is quite dense in this area.
• All of our tours operate rain or shine, and we have rain ponchos for sale in our office.
• All participants over 12 years of age must be able to ride a bike.
• All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and carry proof of age documentation.
• This includes roundtrip RER transportation to and from Versailles from central Paris. Your guide will provide you with your RER ticket to return back to Paris at your own pace after you are done enjoying the château and fireworks.
• If possible, please bring a small backpack or tote bag to carry your food for our picnic. Be sure to bring cash in euros for picnic supplies as well!
• The fireworks start after dark ( around 11pm ) so expect to return to Paris around midnight if you stay for the show.
• This tour runs June – early September and is not offered in the off-season.

Booking for children? Review our bike options here  to help you reserve the correct equipment. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and carry proof of age documentation.

• Tandems must be reserved and are for children less than 70lbs/32kg
• Trailers must be reserved and have a 2 child capacity with a combined maximum weight limit of 88lbs/40kg.
• Babyseats must be reserved and have a maximum weight limit of 48lbs/22kg.

• 1 Bubbly along the Grand Canal
• 2 After-Hours Access to Versailles Château
• 3 Hall of Mirrors
• 4 Special performances inside the Château
• 5 Evening Fountain Show in Versailles Royal Gardens
• 6 Fountain music and special effects
• 7 Fireworks display over the Grand Canal

Meeting Point

This tour meets in Paris, in a small park/clearing on Avenue Emile Zola opposite a café named “Café Regalia”.

The closest métro station is Javel-André Citroën (line 10). Use exit 1 (sortie 1, right side).

The easiest taxi address:  1 Avenue Emile Zola, 75015 Paris . Your guide will be wearing a Fat Tire Tours uniform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about our bikes/biking in versailles, what cycling skill level do i need for this tour.

While all of our tours maintain a leisurely pace, we want our guests to have fun and be safe, so being able to ride a bike is paramount.

This tour is perfect for intermediate bike riders. You should have good balance, be able to start and stop comfortably, and be familiar with hand brakes. Most of this tour is on roads and although we stick together as a group and carve out a lane for ourselves, we ask that all guests feel confident with their riding ability. Safety is our number one priority but confidence in yourself is the first step to overall group safety.

If you’re not sure how you’ll fare, we invite you to try out some of our other tours first.

What are your bike options?

You can view our bike options  here .

Unfortunately, we do not have adult tricycles, adult tandems, or bikes with training wheels for adults or children that may be less confident in their riding ability

Is this tour appropriate for children?

Yes! Our Versailles Bike Tour is a wonderful way for kids comfortable on bikes to discover Versailles. We only ask that your children have been riding for a while, or, if they’re under 10, you can reserve a tandem for them. You can reserve kid’s equipment during the booking process.

You can use this  bike chart  to help you reserve the appropriate bicycles for your little ones. Please keep in mind that children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult on the tour.

• For children up to 10 years old or weighing under 32kg (70lbs), we have two-wheeled tag-along tandems. The child passenger sits on a seat and can pedal or coast. All riders weighing over 32kg (70lbs) must ride their own bicycle. This is not an option for adults or anyone over the weight or age limit.
• We have various sized city bikes to accommodate just about every size of rider, from extra small 20 inch wheeled bikes for riders that are 3.3ft (100cm) to extra large for riders up to 6.5ft (198cm).
• There is no additional charge for trailers, tandems or baby seats. Due to limited availability, please book baby seats, trailers, tandems, 20” and 24” wheeled bikes in advance.
• Please Note: All extra small 20 inch and small 24 inch bikes are equipped with hand brakes.

Is a helmet included?

In France, adults are not obliged to wear a helmet, however they are mandatory for children under 12. We have helmets of all sizes available in our office, free of charge.

How long is the ride?

Our Versailles Bike Tour covers approximately 10.1 miles (16.25 km).

General Tour Questions

Where is the tour meeting point.

The easiest taxi address:  1 Avenue Emile Zola, 75015 Paris . Your guide will be wearing a Fat Tire Tours t-shirt/jacket and holding a sign.

Does the tour include transportation to Versailles?

Yes! The tour price includes the RER train to Versailles and the return to Paris.

Your tour will end in Versailles with your timed entry into the chateau, at which point your guide will provide you with your train tickets and directions back to the train station, about a 10-minute walk from the chateau. This allows you the freedom to explore the palace and the formal gardens at your own pace and return to Paris whenever you’d like. Trains run until approximately 11:30pm at the RER C Versailles River Gauche station and until midnight at the line N Versailles Chantiers station. Your guide will have specific directions for you at the end of the bike tour.

I'm staying in Versailles, can I meet the tour here?

Absolutely! Please meet us at our Versailles office, located at  10 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 78000 Versailles

Please make sure we can reach you by the phone provided at checkout.

When making your reservation, be sure to leave us a note in the comments section to indicate that you will meet us directly in Versailles. Your guide will pick you up when they arrive in Versailles with the rest of the group. Please aim to be there between 9am-9:15am and know that you may have to wait up to 30-45min for your group to arrive.

Is dinner included in the tour price?

No, dinner is not included in the cost of this tour. You will have the chance to buy picnic supplies from numerous vendors at the market, and we will stop within the grounds of Versailles to give everyone a chance to enjoy a light meal.  You are encouraged to bring along extra snacks if you wish!

Please note that some market vendors may accept credit cards, however we feel it is best to have cash in euros available as well.

Is this tour offered in any other languages, or only English?

All scheduled tours are in English, but  private tours  can sometimes be scheduled in other languages, given we have a tour guide who speaks the language of your choice.

What is your cancellation policy?

Activities including tickets or special entrances, such as this one, may only be rescheduled for free up to 72 hours in advance. These activities are also only refundable more than 72 hours in advance of the activity start time. Within 72 hours, we will only be able to issue a partial refund or future credit.

*See restrictions here

What is your weather policy?

All of our tours operate rain or shine, and we have rain ponchos available in our office for purchase.

What is the number to call if I am lost and trying to find the meeting point?

If you are having difficulty finding the meeting location for your tour, please call us at +33 1.82.88.80.94 and our staff will be happy to help you find your way.

Do you organize private tours for groups?

Yes! Some of our private tours can be reserved directly online, but if you’re looking for something unique or have questions about a private group, simply send us an email at  [email protected]  to learn more about our options and prices.

How many people will be in my group?

This tour operates with a maximum group size of 20 guests.

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Versailles Bike Tour

Approximately 8.5 hours

From  €109

Versailles Full-Day Bike Tour with Picnic

Having inspired countless royal residences around the world, the château of Versailles is the original symbol of royal power and wealth. Built as the palace for the French monarchy in the 1600’s, we can still visit the King’s home and personal backyard that’s larger than life. We’ll have a chance to see the palace, the grounds, and the formal gardens all in a day!

Versailles is located just 16 kilometers/12 miles from Paris, so we’ll meet near a metro station within Paris before beginning our journey. From there, we’ll take the suburban rail together (about 30 minutes) and then pick up our bikes just across from the train station. Our first stop will be the famous city market where we’ll shop for our picnic supplies (cost not included) to enjoy a lunch fit for a King (or Queen!) once on the grounds. Then, we’ll cruise through the Château’s enormous park along a network of fantastic trails and tree-lined paths, pausing along the way to share the rich history of the palace and French monarchy. Next, it’s on to our picnic at the end of the Grand Canal where we’ll settle down for a royal feast.

After lunch, we’ll continue through the grounds to visit Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet and the area known as the Trianons, which were pleasure palaces for the royal family. The Grand & Petit Trianon were home to visiting heads of state during their stay in Versailles, mistresses, extended royal family members, and day apartments for the Queen. After visiting these lesser-known but magnificent satellite palaces and Marie Antoinette’s controversial peasant village, we’ll make our way back to the front of the palace, drop off our bikes, and enjoy our skip-the-line entry into the château.

Once inside the palace, you will be able to see the room where Marie Antoinette’s guards were killed as they protected her from the mob at the beginning of the Revolution. You can walk through the breathtaking Hall of Mirrors where King Louis greeted guests, and centuries later the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end World War I. When you ride with us, you will explore exponentially more of the 2,000+ acres of royal property than you would ever be able to see on your own.

Tour Details

What’s included.

• Helmet (provided but optional)
• Roundtrip transportation from Paris to Versailles
• Visit to local market for picnic supplies (cost not included, please bring cash in euros)
• Guided tour of Royal Grounds
• Access to Grand & Petit Trianon
• Access to Marie-Antoinette’s Private Hamlet
• Skip-the-Line Access to Château
• Ability to explore the Château and Royal Gardens on your own

Good to Know

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour departure.
• We highly recommend using public transportation to get to the meeting point as car traffic is quite dense in this area.
• All of our tours operate rain or shine – please dress for the weather.
• We require the full names and ages of all guests as this allows us to ensure skip-the-line entry into the palace.
• All participants over 12 years of age must be able to ride a bike.
• All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and carry proof of age documentation.
• This includes roundtrip RER transportation to and from Versailles from central Paris. Your guide will provide you with your RER ticket to return back to Paris at your own pace. Guests typically finish touring the chateau around 4:30/5pm.
• If possible, please bring a small backpack or tote bag to carry your food for our picnic. Be sure to bring cash in euros for picnic supplies as well!

Booking for children? Review  our bike options here  to help you reserve the correct equipment. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and carry proof of age documentation.

• Tandems must be reserved and are for children less than 70lbs/32kg
• Trailers must be reserved and have a 2 child capacity with a combined maximum weight limit of 88lbs/40kg.
• Babyseats must be reserved and have a maximum weight limit of 48lbs/22kg.

• 1 Versailles Open-air Market
• 2 Grand Trianon
• 3 Petit Trianon
• 4 Picnic along the Grand Canal
• 5 Versailles Royal Gardens
• 6 Skip-the-Line Access to Château de Versailles
• 7 Explore the Château at your own pace
• 8 Hall of Mirrors
• 9 Queen's Hamlet
• 10 Live Guide
• 11 Versailles Fountains

Meeting Point

This tour meets in Paris, in a small park/clearing on Avenue Emile Zola opposite a café named “Café Regalia”.

The closest métro station is Javel-André Citroën (line 10). Use exit 1 (sortie 1, right side).

The easiest taxi address:  1 Avenue Emile Zola, 75015 Paris . Your guide will be wearing a Fat Tire Tours uniform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about our bikes/biking in versailles, what cycling skill level do i need for this tour.

While all of our tours maintain a leisurely pace, we want our guests to have fun and be safe, so being able to ride a bike is paramount.

This tour is perfect for intermediate bike riders. You should have good balance, be able to start and stop comfortably, and be familiar with hand brakes. Most of this tour is on roads and although we stick together as a group and carve out a lane for ourselves, we ask that all guests feel confident with their riding ability. Safety is our number one priority but confidence in yourself is the first step to overall group safety.

If you’re not sure how you’ll fare, we invite you to try out some of our other tours first.

What are your bike options?

You can view our bike options  here .

Unfortunately, we do not have adult tricycles, adult tandems, or bikes with training wheels for adults or children that may be less confident in their riding ability

Is this tour appropriate for children?

Yes! Our Versailles Bike Tour is a wonderful way for kids comfortable on bikes to discover Versailles. We only ask that your children have been riding for a while, or, if they’re under 10, you can reserve a tandem for them. You can reserve kid’s equipment during the booking process.

You can use this  bike chart  to help you reserve the appropriate bicycles for your little ones. Please keep in mind that children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult on the tour.

• For children up to 10 years old or weighing under 32kg (70lbs), we have two-wheeled tag-along tandems. The child passenger sits on a seat and can pedal or coast. All riders weighing over 32kg (70lbs) must ride their own bicycle. This is not an option for adults or anyone over the weight or age limit.
• We have various sized city bikes to accommodate just about every size of rider, from extra small 20 inch wheeled bikes for riders that are 3.3ft (100cm) to extra large for riders up to 6.5ft (198cm).
• There is no additional charge for trailers, tandems or baby seats. Due to limited availability, please book baby seats, trailers, tandems, 20” and 24” wheeled bikes in advance.
• Please Note: All extra small 20 inch and small 24 inch bikes are equipped with hand brakes.

Is a helmet included?

In France, adults are not obliged to wear a helmet, however they are mandatory for children under 12. We have helmets of all sizes available in our office, free of charge.

How long is the ride?

Our Versailles Bike Tour covers approximately 10.1 miles (16.25 km).

General Tour Questions

Where is the tour meeting point.

The easiest taxi address:  1 Avenue Emile Zola, 75015 Paris . Your guide will be wearing a Fat Tire Tours t-shirt/jacket and holding a sign.

Does the tour include transportation to Versailles?

Yes! The tour price includes the RER train to Versailles and the return to Paris.

Your tour will end in Versailles with your skip-the-line access into the chateau, at which point your guide will provide you with your train tickets and directions back to the train station, about a 10-minute walk from the chateau. This allows you the freedom to explore the palace and the formal gardens at your own pace and return to Paris whenever you’d like. Trains run until approximately 11pm.

I'm staying in Versailles, can I meet the tour here?

Absolutely! Please meet us at our Versailles office, located at  10 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 78000 Versailles

Please make sure we can reach you by the phone provided at checkout.

When making your reservation, be sure to leave us a note in the comments section to indicate that you will meet us directly in Versailles. Your guide will pick you up when they arrive in Versailles with the rest of the group. Please aim to be there between 9am-9:15am and know that you may have to wait up to 30-45min for your group to arrive.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No, lunch is not included in the cost of this tour. You will have the chance to buy picnic supplies from numerous vendors at the market. Some vendors may accept credit cards, however we feel it is best to have cash in euros available as well.

What is the cost of the tour/why does the price change?

The Versailles gardens host various types of fountain shows throughout the week.  Our tour prices correspond with the schedule of the ‘Grandes Eaux & Les Jardins Musicaux ‘.  These fountain shows run on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from April through October, except on holidays.

What is your cancellation policy?

Activities including tickets or special entrances, such as this one, may only be rescheduled for free up to 72 hours in advance. These activities are also only refundable more than 72 hours in advance of the activity start time. Within 72 hours, we will only be able to issue a partial refund or future credit.

*See restrictions here

What is your weather policy?

All of our tours operate rain or shine, and we have rain ponchos available in our office for purchase.

What is the number to call if I am lost and trying to find the meeting point?

If you are having difficulty finding the meeting location for your tour, please call us at +33 1.82.88.80.94 and our staff will be happy to help you find your way.

What is the difference between the Versailles Bike Tour and the Small Group VIP Versailles Bike Tour?

There are two main differences between the Small Group VIP Versailles tour and our standard Versailles tour.  Firstly, our Small Group VIP tour guarantees no more than 12 guests per tour guide, giving you a more personal experience throughout the day.  The other main difference is that the VIP option includes an extra hour-long private guided tour of the King’s apartments which are closed to the general public. You will get to see these 12 different rooms, which include the King Louis XIV’s office and bed chamber. It is an amazing way to experience the beauty of the chateau without having to fight the crowds.

Our VIP tour also dedicates time to visit the fountain show in the formal gardens. Both tours include transportation to and from Paris, Skip the line access to the public areas of the chateau, a guided bike tour of the grounds, and a picnic lunch (cost of food not included).

Other Questions

Is this tour offered in any other languages, or only english.

All scheduled tours are in English, but  private tours  can sometimes be scheduled in other languages, given we have a tour guide who speaks the language of your choice.

Do you organize private tours for groups?

Yes! You are welcome to reserve a Private Versailles Bike Tour here , or if you’re looking for something unique or have questions about a private group, simply send us an email at [email protected] to learn more about our options and prices.  Please note that for groups larger than 9, we encourage you to contact us regarding a private tour.

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