EuroVelo 6 (The Rivers Route) Bicycle Tour: Paris, France - June 20

Louvre Entrance (Window Overlook) - Paris, France

My stay in Paris is a bonus portion of the trip, a chance to see a few attractions, get over my jet lag and research my next steps (seeing as the tour was almost entirely unplanned).

I’m currently staying in a tiny studio apartment on the fifth floor (no elevator) of a large residential building. The room is simple, but sweet. At just over $50 per night, it’s great deal. It’s a short walk to Notre-Dame (I can see it from my window!) and the Louvre. The nightlife scene is happening. I’ll come back to this city.

The only inconvenience related to the room is that the toilet is located down the hallway (there is a shower in the apartment). I’m becoming used to pocketing toilet paper on the way out the door, a minor hassle.

Mona Crush

Da Vinci Discussion

Fingers

"Liberty Leading the People" - Eugène Delacroix

I took in the Louvre on Wednesday and Versailles on Thursday. The former, as I stated earlier, is within short walking distance. I had to take the rail to Versailles (under €4). Public transportation is a way of life here in the city. I’ve preferred walking the streets, but the subway / light rail system here is astounding and relatively easy to use as a newcomer. Parisians are fit and healthy, a testament to their choices of locomotion.

Subway Style - Paris, France

Palace Key

On warm evenings, one place that I have gravitated to is the banks of the Seine, which runs through the center of the city. Many French gather by the river to socialize while streetlights strobe scattered techno across the water’s surface. The river, here, has impacted me most.

While purchasing my train ticket to Saint Nazaire, I saw that bicycles were allowed on the TGV trains. This sparked me to pursue a used bicycle while in the city. After looking at a couple of local shops, I settled on a Dutch bike for €220. The shop was less than one block away from the entrance to my apartment. My new (old) Batavus has new cables, brakes, chain and rear cassette. The way the bike was constructed looks extremely strong; the aluminum frame is light. A rear rack and fenders were included. I had the shop owner swap out the plastic saddle for my Brooks B17, my recommendation for any bicycle tour. Although the bike is at the limit for standover height, it feels extremely comfortable to ride.

Cycle Centre (Batavus Buy) - Paris, France

I hauled it up five flights of stairs to my rented apartment and set to work. I tweaked the handlebars and seat height to what felt comfortable; if needed, I’ll adjust along the way. My handlebar bag went on with little effort and the old red saddlebags fit better on the rear rack than they do on my Cannondale at home. Did I choose this bike, or did it choose me?