Bicycle rental at Versailles

Hello,

I have read about the possibility of renting bicycles at Versailles to ride around the vast grounds. My husband and I love to ride and think this would be a wonderful adventure. I have searched the net for info and come up with a few mentions about renting bikes but would love to know something definite. We will be in Paris the 3rd week of April.

Thank you,

Blondihood, Thousand Oaks, CA

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Hi blondihood - Meredith here from Australia. I too am looking for information about hiring a bicycle at Versailles. Would you be so kind enough to forward any information you may find to me at mezaryan@ceinternet.com.au, and if I manage to find info I will email you with it. I am visiting Paris in June with two friends. Good luck with your search.

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Hi there

We rented bikes when visiting Versailles last summer. Yes, the info obtainable in advance was a bit vague. I got most of mine from this forum.

There were two kiosks and they were operated by the same people - very handy as we happened to score a bike with a loose chain and the chap from the kiosk right over near the hamlet chased after us to give us a replacement bike. We had hired ours from the more commonly known kiosk that is in that clutch of kiosks on the right just after you have left the %26#39;garden%26#39; and walked into the %26#39;park%26#39;. If you scrutinise the map on the official Versailles website you will see the spot. The %26#39;garden%26#39; is the more formal section closer to the house with lots of white gravel paths.

From memory the cost was 5 euro per hour per bike but that was last year%26#39;s costs. There may have been a holding deposit too - refundable on return. I read here that during lunchtimes on weekends in summer you may have to wait for bikes to be returned before you can get one. We were there mid-week (great time to go in my opinion, even if no fountains) and turned up promptly at the beginning of the lunch period and had no problems getting what we wanted. In fact, they had plenty of bikes in stock all day being mid-week. They did not accept prior reservations, even on the day.

GREAT way to get all around the park to see all the Trianons, the hamlet and the full extent of the canal. We went back later in the afternoon and hired them again for a peaceful ride around the park after 5pm when the tourists were gone, a few locals had come in via the side gate near the hamlet and were enjoying their evening walk, the light was softening, and it was sooo pleasant.

PS - ask them for a bike lock so that you can secure your bikes outside each Trianon while you go inside. There are apparently some children%26#39;s seats if you ask. There are no helmets hired out - just in case you%26#39;re from a country that legislates their wear like we are. GREAT excuse to ride bare-headed as we did when we were kids!

Also, many people recommend the fat tyre bike tours that operate from the city but these don%26#39;t seem to have permission to take you through the chateau so I MUCH preferred hiring bikes once out there - we saw just about everything possible to see that way.

Enjoy

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PS2, Interesting name Poliocephalus - I trust you are not ill!?

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Any idea if there is any place in November to rent bikes or is that too cold at that point?

Thanks!

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We tried to rent them at the kiosk by the Grand Canal (just after the formal gardens) in October one year, but there was no one manning the kiosk. I don%26#39;t think you can count on it in the off-season.

You could take a bike tour via Fat Tire Bike tours to Versailles...