Massy / Versailles

Onwards to Louis XIV’s dazzling château at Versailles, following the Bièvre Valley, enjoying an almost rural atmosphere. The wooded hills, streams and grazing cows in their meadows tend to make you forget you’re so close to Paris. A lack of tricky slopes, plus stretches along quiet little roads shared with motorized traffic or then along cycle paths, make this a pleasing stage accessible to all.

 On this stage, you are following one of the two alternative routes between Massy and Rambouillet. Still undecided which to choose? See the dedicated paragraph in our Frequently Asked Questions.

 Stage description

This stage starts at the Rond-point du 19 mars 1962, at the southern end of the Promenade des Vallons de la Bièvre. If you continue straight on from here, you take the Limours alternative route. To cycle to Versailles, follow the signposting guiding you to branch right.

This stage provides a mix of cycle paths, tracks with smooth surfacing and roads. The road sections are always located in low-speed zones.

 Not to be missed:

• The Musée Français de la Photographie in Bièvres: immerse yourself in the history of photography through displays of historic cameras and vintage prints.
• The Maison Littéraire de Victor Hugo, nestling in 10 hectares of grounds, recreating the atmosphere in which the author lived and displaying many objects and manuscripts belonging to him.
• The Musée de la Toile de Jouy: discover the history of this artisanal craft from the founding of the factory in the 18th century by Oberkampf to its reinterpretations in contemporary fashion.
• The Château de Versailles, a masterpiece of French art and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the unmissable royal apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the sumptuous gardens designed by Le Nôtre.

 On the map, activate the Accommodation Useful information Leasure Restauration to discover nearby services and points of interest.

 Food and drink en route

• Igny: many food shops and local producers.
• Bièvres:
  • Many food shops a short distance from the Veloscenic route.
  • The Parc de la Martinière offers an idyllic bucolic setting for a picnic stop.
• Jouy-en-Josas:
  • Many food shops.
  • La Ferme de Viltain: a working farm with dairy produce, pick-your-own options and a market open every day. Access from Vauboyen station along a road beyond the cycle route for 3.5 km. Note: a steep climb up to the plateau.
• Versailles: many food shops. Several markets including the one held under the Halles Notre-Dame, open every morning except Monday.

 Bike repair

• La Recyclerie Sportive, Massy. +33 9 81 94 72 65
• Bicyclette Lab, Jouy-en-Josas. +33 6 26 56 27 92
• Cycles Jacquot, Versailles. +33 1 39 50 06 17

 Consult the list of all the bike repairers along or near the route.

 Nearby train stations

• Massy-Verrières-le-Buisson station (RER B)
• Igny, Bièvres, Vauboyen, Jouy-en-Josas and Petit Jouy-les-Loges stations (ligne V)
• Versailles Rive Gauche station (RER C)
• Versailles Chantiers station (RER C and Transilien)
• Versailles Rive Droite station (Transilien – La Défense/St Lazare line)

 See our article on reaching the veloscenic cycle route for more information on options for travelling with a bicycle.