Versailles Family Bike Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where does the Versailles bike tour meet?

  Our Versailles Bike Tour meets at a train station in central Paris: Gare Montparnasse, 17 Boulevard de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris. Please meet us at the top level of the Montparnasse train station, in Hall 1, under the Platform 20 & 21 sign. Your guide will be easy to find - they will be wearing a bright green lanyard and a Boutique Tours badge.

  Here is a video to help you find us!

  When we arrive in Versailles our bikes are waiting for us at our base beside the train station & we will fit you to the best bike for you & head off to explore.

• Do your tours of Versailles include a guided tour of the Château?

  Of course. All our tours of Versailles include a guided tour of the Palace with a fully licensed member of our team. We do not abandon you with an audio guide. We use earpieces so you can hear your guide, can ask questions & don’t miss a thing! If there is one Palace in the world to visit, this is the one!

• Is it safe to cycle in Versailles?

  It is almost as if Versailles was designed with our bike tour in mind. The majority of our ride takes place within the Royal Grounds, where we can enjoy easy cycling, far from the traffic and crowds. Outside of the gardens, bike lanes weave their way throughout the town, most of which are off the road - protected from traffic.

• Do you have e-bikes?

  Yes! For a little more of that French va-va-voom, you can upgrade to an e-bike for €35 - choose this on the booking flow.

• Do you skip the line at Versailles Palace?

  Yes. Our tour includes skip-the-line entry to the Palace of Versailles, reserved exclusively for licensed guides. This means you bypass the long general admission lines and head straight inside with your group. While we can’t avoid security checks (required for all visitors), our priority access saves you valuable time so you can enjoy more of the palace and gardens.

• Is this tour appropriate for children?

  We frequently have children join our tours, and have a fleet of children’s bikes, tandems, child-seats and helmets for them – we love sharing the day with families and take great pride in entertaining and ensuring the safety of all ages throughout the day. 

  *Whenever possible we try to group families together which can be great when the children are of similar ages.

• What happens if it rains?

  All of our tours operate rain or shine and we provide free rain jackets. As we are licensed to guide inside the Château we do adapt & spend more time inside the Palace. We bring rain jackets, good humour & a sense of adventure!
  
  Please do dress appropriately for the weather. Should you look ahead and wish to reschedule you can also easily manage your booking here through our self-service hub, which allows instant modifications.

• We are staying in Versailles, can we start the tour there?

  Yes, simply let us know in the notes section when you book and we will contact you with details of where and when to meet us in Versailles.

• What should I bring?

  We provide all the essentials for your day in Versailles; all you need to remember is to pack your camera and some euros for your picnic lunch, in the summer bringing a bottle of water is a good idea - though there will be opportunity to purchase water throughout the day as well.

• Do your tours of Versailles include the Musical Fountains?

  Yes, we include the inner gardens and fountain show as part of our tours. The fountains in the gardens are turned on Saturdays & Sundays from April-October and Tuesdays in May & June.

  We still visit the inner gardens on days the fountains do not run as Versailles “was a garden before a castle, a feast before a garden, a night before a thousand suns. If you want to understand Versailles, one must first walk through its gardens”.

• Do I need to purchase any extra tickets on the day?

  No. All tickets, travel (including train tickets to and from Versailles), access to Versailles, the gardens, the Hamlet and the fountains are all included.

• Is Versailles suitable to visit with kids?

  Yes - especially by bike. Versailles is vast, and cycling allows families to see more while avoiding long walks. Our tour is designed specifically for families, with safe, car-free paths, frequent breaks, and guides who know how to keep kids engaged.

• What if I am not confident at cycling?

  The riding is very casual, far from the Tour de France with plenty of stops for stories, wine, cheese & photos. We ride about 10km (6-8 miles) total on our Versailles experience - split across the entire day. The longest stretch of riding that we do without stopping is less than 15 minutes, and there are only about two short inclines, which are not long in distance at all.

  That said, this would be a difficult experience for anyone new to cycling. There are some sections on the road, so we do recommend that riders have some confidence and can happily stop, start and navigate using their bike. Prefer to walk? Check out our Versailles Walking Tour.

• What do I do if I am running late?

  Please reach out to us as soon as possible on +33634918841. We can help with directions, advice and alternative options to ensure you connect with the group.