Saarbrücken – Paris

Although there is currently no official cycle route from Saarbrücken to Paris, it is certainly possible to cover the approximately 400-kilometre route over several days, using cycle paths and country roads. One of the route’s main attractions is the variety of landscapes you pass through. Whilst on the first stage to Metz you still have the foothills of the Vosges behind you, on day 2 of the tour the landscape transforms into an idyll of rolling hills, fields and small farms. From Bar-le-Duc, the route follows the Rhine-Marne Canal for a stretch before continuing along country roads through the endless vineyards of Champagne to Épernay. From there, on day 4, you reach the Paris metropolitan area via Meaux. The final kilometres to the centre of the French capital are covered on day 5 along the Canal de l’Ourcq. Once you arrive at our Motel One Paris, we have secure storage facilities for your bike.

Important: In France, it is compulsory to wear a high-visibility vest in poor visibility and in the dark. So always keep one handy in your luggage.

If you’d prefer to reach your destination faster or in a less strenuous way, opt for the direct TGV connection. The high-speed train takes you from Saarbrücken right into the heart of the French capital in under two hours.

Fancy a green holiday?

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur – there is so much to discover in Paris. Our tip: explore the city on foot or by bike. This way, you’ll not only get a good overview of the must-see sights, but also soak up the Parisian atmosphere at the same time. As most of the sights are clustered around the Seine, we recommend simply strolling along the river and popping off to the sights from there. Only Sacré-Cœur and the Jardin du Luxembourg are a little further afield.

You can have the city shown to you by locals on the guided tours offered by L’Alternative Urbaine. The initiative offers the long-term unemployed the chance to get back into the daily routine of work.

Tip: If you get thirsty during your walk, you can top up your bottles at the city’s many Wallace fountains.

Cycling: The city is working to make Paris more attractive to cyclists and is continuing to expand its cycle network. This includes the Velib’Metropole scheme, which allows you to hire bikes and return them at numerous stations across the city. The first 30 minutes are free, and day passes cost five euros.

Views: You don’t have to pay for panoramic views in Paris – these are available at the Galerie Lafayette department store (8th floor) and the Printemps department store (9th floor). Simply take the lift right to the top of these historic department stores.

Art & Culture: People under 26 benefit from reduced-price or even free entry to museums. Those who have already passed this age limit are in luck on the first Sunday of the month and can visit some of the city’s museums free of charge (up-to-date information is available from the Paris Tourist Office). Other museums such as the Petit Palais, the Musée d’Art Moderne and the Perfume Museum are free all year round.

French cuisine is world-famous – though not necessarily for meat-free dishes. However, this is gradually changing, and the French capital is offering an increasing number of restaurants for vegans and vegetarians. The city’s oldest vegetarian restaurant – Le Potager du Marais – translates as ‘The Marais Vegetable Garden’ and puts a new spin on French classics. You’ll also find these perennial favourites at Le Grenier de Notre-Dame. Healthy cuisine is also on offer at Wild & The Moon and Judy. Vegan raw food at 42 Degrés.

At the vegan concept store Aujourd’hui Demain, visitors can enjoy creatively topped sandwiches, burgers and homemade cakes. Naturally, croissants are a must on any ‘must-try’ list. These are available at VG Patisserie or Land & Monkeys – and they’re even vegan.

The city boasts numerous famous green spaces, such as the Jardin des Tuileries and the Jardin du Luxembourg. Less well-known, but no less beautiful, is the Coulée Verte René Dumont. The former railway line has been planted with lime trees, roses and hazel bushes and forms a 4.5-kilometre-long walking trail right in the heart of the city. The Bois de Vincennes, with its rose gardens, playgrounds, pond and small farm, is also one of the city’s most beautiful recreational areas. If you’re looking for something a bit more romantic, it’s well worth a detour to the Parc de Buttes-Chaumont in the north-east. The undulating park is laid out in the English style and offers panoramic views of the City of Love. Fancy getting right out of the city? Then hop on a train at Gare de Lyon for a 40-minute journey to the UNESCO Forest Biodiversity Reserve in Fontainebleau for hiking, climbing or simply to relax.

Every year, 14 July is the day when France really lets its hair down. The national holiday is celebrated not only in the capital but across the whole country with open-air parades, concerts and fireworks. But the streets are just as lively on the rest of the summer days. There’s the Fête de la Musique, where both amateurs and professionals perform in the streets and parks. At Rock en Seine, the usually so prim and proper Paris goes wild for three days. At the smaller version, Fnac Live, you can listen to the artists for free, just as you can at the free La Défense Jazz Festival.

Every summer, the banks of the Seine are also transformed into a huge beach. The summer event Paris Plage sees the creation of many small bathing spots along the Seine and its tributaries, such as the swimming pools at the Bassin de la Villette. What else should you not miss if you want to feel like a true Parisian? Playing pétanque (boules) in the park!