Fat Tire Bike Tours in Paris
First started in 1999, the bike tours in Paris are conducted in English and with a day tour lasting over 3 hours or a night tour including a River Seine cruise, these are suitable for all the family, with dedicated childrens bikes along with buggies and child seats for the very young.
About the Fat Tire Bike Tours
The company was first started by a gentleman called David who moved to Paris only days after graduating in America, and the Fat Tire Bike tours was first launched on 25th May 1999, with a standard Day Tour, then not to much later in 2000 the Night Bike Tour was also launched.
Over time the company expanded, and they were also the first company in the world to offer the unusual Segway Tours in Paris, and has become the largest Segway Tour company in the world, and by 2014 multiple offices have cropped up all over Europe and North America.
The whole concept was for a personalised and friendly cycle tour that would be suitable for all the family, so there are even baby seats available for children aged 11 months upwards, along with bike trailers for slightly older children like toddlers.
Kids tandems are also available for children up to the age of 12 that are not confident in riding their own bike, however, there is a weight limit for these, which is a maximum of 45 kilos. So, anyone over this weight would have to use their own bike, but do not despair, as there is a 20 inch small city bike, along with a medium bike, which is a 24 inch city bike that is a scaled down version of an adult bike.
The adult bikes are a mens blue coloured California Beach Cruiser, and a slightly smaller ladies red California Beach Cruiser cycle that also has a dipped frame making it easier to get on and off and a lower standover height, which is actually the most popular option utilised.
You will find that the Fat Tire Bike Tours operate virtually every day of the year, no matter what the weather, and if it is raining, then you can purchase a poncho from the office, and if you do not use it, then the company will be happy to take it back from you and refund the cost.
The Different Cycle Tours in Paris
The Fat Tire Bike Tours company offers several different type of cycling tours including one for Versailles, and each has a different itinerary, duration and the amount of kilometres you will cover.
Now the first tour is known as the Paris Day Tour, and there is a morning and afternoon tour, both with a duration of approximately 3 to 3.5 hours where it covers approximately 10.5 kilometres with a dedicated English speaking guide.
You will get to see the famous sites and monuments in Paris, discover fascinating and unusual stories, stop along the way for numerous different photo opportunities, plus if you opt for the morning bike tour you have a break within the Tuileries Gardens, where you can enjoy a cafe nestled amongst the trees, although the cost of a drink or lunch is not included, so do bear this in mind.
This Paris Day Bike Tour is classed as a leisurely cycle suitable for all the family and even those that have not ridden a bike for years.
Whereas the second tour with Fat Tire Bike Tours is known as the Paris Night Tour where you can get to see the City of Lights in all its glory, however, this only runs on set days during the winter months, although, this is run daily from mid March to mid October, and with a duration of approximately 4.5 hours these finish upon return to their office at around 11pm to 11:30pm.
Covering approximately 13 kilometres, the Paris Night Tour also includes a River Seine cruise plus either a glass of wine or a soft drink, and although early on in the tour you can stop to purchase an ice cream on the historical Ile Saint Louis with its artisan shops, you do not stop for food, so it is highly recommended that you make sure you have eaten prior.
We would also like to point out that you do get a little more information on the Paris Day Bike Tour, and as you read above, the Paris Night Bike Tour covers a longer distance, so the choice is yours, however, this is classed as an intermediate level of riding and covers far more ground in order to see as much of Paris lit up. Yet you could even opt to do both of these Fat Tire Bike Tours, and you can get a discount if you book online.
The Versailles Bike Tour is a full day tour with a duration of approximately 8.5 hours so that you can enjoy the Chateau Versailles, which was constructed as a royal palace back in the 1600s, in a completely different way and this is classed as an intermediate level of cycling due to the amount of ground you will cover.
You meet at a Metro station in Paris and then take an RER train ride out for getting to Chateau de Versailles to pick up the bikes and then go straight to the Versailles French market where you can picked up supplies for a picnic, although we would like to point out the food you purchase is not included within the price of the tour.
Yet from there, you cycle through the grounds of Chateau de Versailles on a netwerk of paths and stop at the end of the Grand Canal for the picnic. After lunch you get to discover Marie Antoinette's Hamlet plus the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, then hed to the front of the Palace to drop off the bikes and enjoy a skip the line entry to the Chateau in order to discover things such as the famous Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end World War I.
Accessing the Fat Tire Bike Tours in Paris
The cost of a Fat Tire Bike Tour starts from €34 as of 2022, depending upon what tour option you choose, and you do not always have to book these particular Paris tours in advance, although during the summer months, this is highly recommended.
Also, we would like to point out that the Versailles Tour must be booked in advance, plus if you are a large group, or you need one of the baby seats or children's options, then due to the limited number available, then booking is normally required and often essential.
Additionally, cycle helmets are available for all bike tours and compulsory for any child under the age of 12, yet optional over that age, plus for the Versailles Bike Tour the names and ages of all people in your group are required including children due to the tickets for the former royal palace.
Now when it comes to accessing the Fat Tire Bike Tours, some of these start from their office close to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, yet others will meet near a Paris Metro and you must arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the start of a tour or if you would like to try out a bike prior, then 30 minutes is recommended.
All the Fat Tire Bike Tours can be booked by phone or online, but with a minimum requirement of 4 people for a tour, the company can request an amendment if there are not enough people for a particular tour, yet private group tours can also be organised as well.
