So you wanna see Paris on two wheels? Why not rent a bike from Paul and Christian, the guys behind Bike About Tours. They also run a cool coffee shop in the Marais, just off the river Seine, called Le Peloton Cafe. It’s the best coffee shop in the 4th arrondissement, at least according to The Earful Tower.
Anyway, here’s what happened when we asked them for the 10 best streets to cycle down in Paris. To be fair, these are almost all good to walk down too.

1. Rue Saint Honoré, 1st arrondissement

It starts super chic down by the Champs-Elysées and Place de la Concorde, includes loads of top-class shops and people-watching, and gets slowly less chic as you get to the centre of town.
The best is that just after the end of it you’ll find the bakery that won the competition for the best baguette in Paris, La Parisienne. It’s their shop that provides the French president with his daily bread.
2. Boulevard des Invalides, 7th arrondissement
Just getting to the street makes for a great ride, as you pass by the Grand and Petit Palais and across the Alexandre III bridge.But then you turn left at Invalides and pass the Rodin Museum, and if you stand up on your pedals as you go past you can see the Thinker’s butt. It’s right there in the garden, just look through the hedges.
Everyone’s heard of this famous statue, and now you can see his bum for free.

3. Avenue de Breuteuil, 7th arrondissement

Not far away is the Avenue de Breteuil. When you cycle down it you can turn back and all of a sudden see the Invalides in all its glory with Napoleon’s tomb.
And it’s a great place for a picnic that’s less touristy than the nearby Champ de Mars.
4. Rue de Belleville, 20th arrondissement

Getting up there is a mission, but it’s worth it when you turn around and go down again.
The hill is super steep, so you get an awesome view of the city. Just stand up on the bike pedals, lean back slightly, and whizz down. You’ve got shops and people down both sides of the roads.

5. Rue Vielle de Temple, 4th arrondissement

This is a great road – and to cycle it you should start up the top by the Cirque d’Hiver (pictured below, right). Then work your way down past all the trendy designers shops, fashion spots, and cool cafés.
The best part is when you get to the bottom you can carry on to Le Peloton Café.

6. Champs-Elysées, 8th arrondissement.
When you think of cycling in Paris, you think of the Champs-Elysées. It’s such an iconic street, and it’s where the Tour de France finishes. When you’re cycling down the cobblestones, you’re surrounded by limousines, taxis, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis.
One day a year, on the Sunday that the Tour de France finishes to Paris, we take customers along it. That’s the only time we do it, the only time it’s calm enough.

7. Quai Saint Bernard, 5th arrondissement

The place to go is called the Open Air Museum of Modern Sculptures and the best way to experience it is to cross the Pont d’Austerlitz then ride directly down onto the the Left Bank. It’s just off the Quai Saint Bernard (pictured above). If you’re lucky, you get the whole quai to yourselves.





Bonus vid: The Thinker’s butt, as recommended by Paul.
To book a tour with Paul and Christian click here.
And if you fancy helping The Earful Tower along the way, let them know you booked via this site!

Prefer walking? Here are the best streets in all 20 arrondissments.
Need something to carry your baguettes in while walking and cycling? Buy The Earful Tower tote bag here.

That’s it! If you like these tips, be sure to check out The Earful Tower’s Guide to Paris.

The Earful Tower’s Guide to Paris
It’s here! After six seasons of making The Earful Tower podcast and 100+ expert guests, I’ve finally put together the ultimate guide to Paris.
€19.99
3 thoughts on “The ten best streets in Paris (to cycle along)”