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Hop on your bike and follow in the footsteps of the Impressionist painters on this 24-kilometer (one-way) tour along the Seine. From Monet to Renoir and Sisley, the banks of the Seine await you!
The tour starts in Colombes, the third-largest commune in the Hauts-de-Seine department, which Parisians can easily reach by train (from Gare Saint-Lazare on the Transilien J). Of course, you can also reach Colombes by bike, if you don't mind the extra kilometers, via the small streets of the inner suburbs.
Bike tour: the impressionist Seine
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Capture d'écran Google Maps
Start at the Parc Départemental Lagravère, just below the Pont de Colombes, for a gentle start to the bike ride. The itinerary couldn't be easier, just follow the course of the Seine along the way (the river will be on your right).
The Promenade Bleue in Colombes
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Tourisme 92
The Blue Promenade
The first few kilometers take you along the old towpath, joining the Promenade Bleue circuit. After five surprisingly easy kilometers, you can make your first stop at the Parc du Chemin de l'Île in Nanterre. This expansive, modern, and bucolic park, featuring canals, reeds, and a few animals, provides a true nature escape."
Chemin-de-l'Île Park, Nanterre
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Mutabilis Paysage & Urbanisme
A few hundred meters further on, you'll pass a small parking lot and take a footbridge over a branch of the Seine leading to a river port. If you're lucky, you'll have the chance to watch a barge maneuver its way in!
Then continue your descent along the banks of the Seine, passing through the Parc des Impressionnistes, then under the Chatou bridge and immediately turning left to find yourself back on the bridge, and in the right direction, because it's time to change banks!
Impressionist Island
A new and highly recommended stopover here is l'Île des Impressionnistes. The Fournaise hamlet is definitely worth a visit, with its restaurants, water station, antique boat restoration workshop, and a museum detailing the history of the family behind the guinguette frequented by Renoir, Maupassant, and Caillebotte.
Hameau Fournaise in Chatou
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Twitter Ville de Chatou
Direction Sartrouville
Once on the left bank, turn left immediately, through the small park. To help you find your way, there are signs for the famous Paris-London route. Cross the playground to reach the riverbank and turn right. The Seine will now be on your left as far as Sartrouville.
After skirting the street on a protected path, you'll reach the banks on your left at the SNCF bridge.
Boucle de Montesson Departmental Park
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sortir-yvelines.fr
Then enjoy the peace and quiet, the Seine-side shacks and the open road. A detour to the Boucle de Montesson departmental park is just the thing if you've got time to stroll. Some ten kilometers of really easy riding await you before reaching Sartrouville. You've just driven twenty-four kilometers from Colombes. Exhausted yet? The RER A is nearby and will take you effortlessly back to the capital.
Want more?
If you're still in good spirits and the ride was a little short, you can cross the Seine again via the Maisons-Laffitte bridge, and even round off this wonderful outing with a visit to the sumptuous Château de Maisons, an architectural masterpiece of the Grand Siècle (open to visitors every day except Tuesday).
Château de Maisons
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Sizun Eye / Flickr
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