The Yvelines, a cycling destination

There are so many ways to discover the Yvelines. And among all of these, cycling is undoubtedly the best way to enjoy it, each at their own pace, taking time to admire the scenery.

A range of major sporting events

Cycling has a special place in the Yvelines landscape, with over 5,000 members of cycling and cycle-touring clubs and a dedicated facility, the National Velodrome of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.

So it’s no coincidence that the Yvelines has been a “land of cycling excellence” since 2019, and has been hosting major international events for several years:

• French road championships: In 2018, the French Road Cycling Championships, held in Mantes-la-Jolie from 28 June to 1 July, put the spotlight on a cycling-loving region.
• The start of the Paris-Nice cycling race: Since 2009, the Yvelines has hosted the start of the famous “Race to the Sun”! The 82nd edition of this legendary race set off from Les Mureaux on Sunday March 3.
• Final stage of the Tour de France: In March 2019, the Conseil départemental des Yvelines and A.S.O formalised their partnership, enabling the Yvelines region to host the final stages of the Tour de France until 2023. After Houilles in 2018, Rambouillet in 2019 and Mantes-la-Jolie in 2020, the Yvelines will once again be the focus of attention with this new departure, this time in Chatou.
• 2022 Track Cycling World Championships: The 112th Track Cycling World Championships took place at the National Velodrome!
• A foretaste of the 2024 Olympic Games, where all the cycling events will take place in the Yvelines: track cycling and BMX at the National Velodrome of Saint-Quentin, mountain biking in Elancourt, and road cycling in the Chevreuse Valley.

To complete the loop, local events sponsored by the Département also take place:

• The “Fête du Tour”: To celebrate the last stage of the Tour de France!

A paradise for walkers and cyclists

Looking for itineraries for a bike ride or a longer outing? With 80% natural areas, including 70,000 hectares of forests and 2,755 hectares of protected Sensitive Natural Areas, and as many different landscapes and terrains, the Yvelines is truly a cyclist’s paradise!

Caroline, her husband and their three children, aged 9 to 17, live in Paris, but are passionate about cycling at weekends on the trails and paths in the forests of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Rambouillet. The youngest, Arthur, admits he especially likes pedalling. “Cycling gives you a sense of freedom, which is all the more important given the difficult times we’re going through. It’s also a great way to share family time together in the great outdoors,” says his mother. These outings have enabled them to discover more about the cultural and natural heritage of the Yvelines region.

The Département has a number of bike rental outlets throughout the area, and many free downloadable bike routes.

Among them, and for the more experienced, are the three national cycle routes that cross the Yvelines: La Véloscénie from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel, The Avenue Verte London-Paris and La Seine à Vélo from Paris to the sea.

To facilitate these routes, the Département has developed the “Accueil Vélo” label, a list of accommodation, tourist sites and tourist offices offering services adapted to cycling.

A series of tourist panels have also been installed along the Véloscénie route. These “Relai Information Service” signs are designed to direct tourists and walkers to the shops, tourist sites and other attractions to see in their vicinity.

Cycling on a daily basis: an environmental challenge

The bicycle is one of the oldest and most practical modes of transport. And it has a future! Whether for economic or ecological reasons, more and more people in the Yvelines are using bicycles to commute to work. Questioned for a survey on cycling in July 2020, this Versailles resident declares: “Cycling is an integral part of my lifestyle, which is linked to nature and sport. I use my bike more than before, and I have a dozen colleagues who have changed their mode of transport in the last two years,” adds this Bois-d’Arcy resident.

There are only good reasons to become a cyclist.

Here are just a few examples:

• It’s convenient: Cycling is easier than driving. You can park and stop at any time to do your shopping.
• It’s not expensive: The cost of 4 full tanks of petrol (for a city car), around €265, will buy you a new bike (source CNPC)! Cycling every day costs around €10 a month (Source: ADEME Éco-déplacements calculator, for daily trips of 10 km)!
• It’s good for your health: Getting around by bike generally requires only moderate physical effort, and the health benefits are significant: your life expectancy is extended and cardiovascular risks limited by doing just 30 minutes of cycling a day.
• It’s a solution for the planet: Bicycles don’t make noise or pollute.
• It’s not particularly dangerous: 850 km of cycle lanes have been laid out to facilitate travel, including in town.

As you can see, the Yvelines Département has cycling in its DNA. So saddle up!