Versailles Full-Day Bike Tour with Picnic
Having inspired countless royal residences around the world, the château of Versailles is the original symbol of royal power and wealth. Built as the palace for the French monarchy in the 1600’s, we can still visit the King’s home and personal backyard that’s larger than life. We’ll have a chance to see the palace, the grounds, and the formal gardens all in a day!
Tour Details
What’s Included
Good to Know
Highlights
Meeting Point
This tour meets in Paris, in a small park/clearing on Avenue Emile Zola opposite a café named “Café Regalia”.
The closest métro station is Javel-André Citroën (line 10). Use exit 1 (sortie 1, right side).
The easiest taxi address: 1 Avenue Emile Zola, 75015 Paris. Your guide will be wearing a Fat Tire Tours uniform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About our Bikes/Biking in Versailles
What cycling skill level do I need for this tour?
While all of our tours maintain a leisurely pace, we want our guests to have fun and be safe, so being able to ride a bike is paramount.
This tour is perfect for intermediate bike riders. You should have good balance, be able to start and stop comfortably, and be familiar with hand brakes. Most of this tour is on roads and although we stick together as a group and carve out a lane for ourselves, we ask that all guests feel confident with their riding ability. Safety is our number one priority but confidence in yourself is the first step to overall group safety.
If you’re not sure how you’ll fare, we invite you to try out some of our other tours first.
What are your bike options?
You can view our bike options here.
Unfortunately, we do not have adult tricycles, adult tandems, or bikes with training wheels for adults or children that may be less confident in their riding ability
Is this tour appropriate for children?
Yes! Our Versailles Bike Tour is a wonderful way for kids comfortable on bikes to discover Versailles. We only ask that your children have been riding for a while, or, if they’re under 10, you can reserve a tandem for them. You can reserve kid’s equipment during the booking process.
You can use this bike chart to help you reserve the appropriate bicycles for your little ones. Please keep in mind that children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult on the tour.
- For children up to 10 years old or weighing under 32kg (70lbs), we have two-wheeled tag-along tandems. The child passenger sits on a seat and can pedal or coast. All riders weighing over 32kg (70lbs) must ride their own bicycle. This is not an option for adults or anyone over the weight or age limit.
- We have various sized city bikes to accommodate just about every size of rider, from extra small 20 inch wheeled bikes for riders that are 3.3ft (100cm) to extra large for riders up to 6.5ft (198cm).
- There is no additional charge for trailers, tandems or baby seats. Due to limited availability, please book baby seats, trailers, tandems, 20” and 24” wheeled bikes in advance.
- Please Note: All extra small 20 inch and small 24 inch bikes are equipped with hand brakes.
Is a helmet included?
In France, adults are not obliged to wear a helmet, however they are mandatory for children under 12. We have helmets of all sizes available in our office, free of charge.
How long is the ride?
Our Versailles Bike Tour covers approximately 10.1 miles (16.25 km).
General Tour Questions
Where is the tour meeting point?
This tour meets in Paris, in a small park/clearing on Avenue Emile Zola opposite a café named “Café Regalia”.
The closest métro station is Javel-André Citroën (line 10). Use exit 1 (sortie 1, right side).
The easiest taxi address: 1 Avenue Emile Zola, 75015 Paris. Your guide will be wearing a Fat Tire Tours t-shirt/jacket and holding a sign.
Does the tour include transportation to Versailles?
Yes! The tour price includes the RER train to Versailles and the return to Paris.
Your tour will end in Versailles with your skip-the-line access into the chateau, at which point your guide will provide you with your train tickets and directions back to the train station, about a 10-minute walk from the chateau. This allows you the freedom to explore the palace and the formal gardens at your own pace and return to Paris whenever you’d like. Trains run until approximately 11pm.
I'm staying in Versailles, can I meet the tour here?
Absolutely! Please meet us at our Versailles office, located at 10 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 78000 Versailles
Please make sure we can reach you by the phone provided at checkout.
When making your reservation, be sure to leave us a note in the comments section to indicate that you will meet us directly in Versailles. Your guide will pick you up when they arrive in Versailles with the rest of the group. Please aim to be there between 9am-9:15am and know that you may have to wait up to 30-45min for your group to arrive.
Is lunch included in the tour price?
No, lunch is not included in the cost of this tour. You will have the chance to buy picnic supplies from numerous vendors at the market. Some vendors may accept credit cards, however we feel it is best to have cash in euros available as well.
What is the cost of the tour/why does the price change?
The Versailles gardens host various types of fountain shows throughout the week. Our tour prices correspond with the schedule of the ‘Grandes Eaux & Les Jardins Musicaux‘. These fountain shows run on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from April through October, except on holidays.
What is your cancellation policy?
Activities including tickets or special entrances, such as this one, may only be rescheduled for free up to 72 hours in advance. These activities are also only refundable more than 72 hours in advance of the activity start time. Within 72 hours, we will only be able to issue a partial refund or future credit.
What is your weather policy?
All of our tours operate rain or shine, and we have rain ponchos available in our office for purchase.
What is the number to call if I am lost and trying to find the meeting point?
If you are having difficulty finding the meeting location for your tour, please call us at +33 1.82.88.80.94 and our staff will be happy to help you find your way.
What is the difference between the Versailles Bike Tour and the Small Group VIP Versailles Bike Tour?
There are two main differences between the Small Group VIP Versailles tour and our standard Versailles tour. Firstly, our Small Group VIP tour guarantees no more than 12 guests per tour guide, giving you a more personal experience throughout the day. The other main difference is that the VIP option includes an extra hour-long private guided tour of the King’s apartments which are closed to the general public. You will get to see these 12 different rooms, which include the King Louis XIV’s office and bed chamber. It is an amazing way to experience the beauty of the chateau without having to fight the crowds.
Our VIP tour also dedicates time to visit the fountain show in the formal gardens. Both tours include transportation to and from Paris, Skip the line access to the public areas of the chateau, a guided bike tour of the grounds, and a picnic lunch (cost of food not included).
Other Questions
Is this tour offered in any other languages, or only English?
All scheduled tours are in English, but private tours can sometimes be scheduled in other languages, given we have a tour guide who speaks the language of your choice.
Do you organize private tours for groups?
Yes! You are welcome to reserve a Private Versailles Bike Tour here, or if you’re looking for something unique or have questions about a private group, simply send us an email at privatetours@fattiretours.com to learn more about our options and prices. Please note that for groups larger than 9, we encourage you to contact us regarding a private tour.