Leave Paris in a few pedal strokes, follow the rivers and canals, and quickly feel far from the capital. Here are five courses dotted with playgrounds, in which to draw according to the endurance of your offspring.
From La Villette to Colombes, along the banks
A route that is still quite secret, which can be covered in half a day or in a day. We leave in the morning from the Parc de La Villette (Paris 19e) and, instead of continuing like everyone else along the Canal de l’Ourcq, turn left along the Canal Saint-Denis. Here, we have space and street art galore! During a walk in early May, the development work on the banks in view of the Olympic Games was in full swing at Aubervilliers (Seine-Saint-Denis): this means changing banks by taking a bridge, then staying a few minutes on the bike path overlooking the canal.
Near the Stade de France, you can reach the banks of the Saint-Denis canal. We pass small houses and new buildings, before leaving behind us the hustle and bustle of the city and its stations. A lock marks the end of the canal and the entrance to the Seine: the water becomes deep blue, the horizon widens, we can see fishermen and Ile-Saint-Denis opposite. Ten minutes later, we arrive at Epinay-sur-Seine. The 2 kilometers of banks laid out on the towpath, between the Parc des Béatus and Boulevard Foch, offer picnic tables and brightly colored hammocks for lounging while watching the fishermen, as well as brand new games for the youngest.
We have just cycled 10 kilometers. The bravest will continue the road to Colombes (Hauts-de-Seine), adding a dozen kilometers to their counter. To do this, you have to continue on the same bank to Argenteuil (Val-d’Oise) – with a welcome break at the Parc des Berges which, although wedged between several roadways, has a playground and a refreshment bar whose tenant sometimes pushes the ditty. There, we change banks by taking the bridge of Colombes. Very wooded and pleasant, the bike path along the Seine quickly leads to Pierre-Lagravère Park. A swimming pool, playgrounds, a merry-go-round, as well as a chess game table are waiting for us there to rest before the return.
22 kilometers one way.
From the Saint-Martin canal to the Poudrerie forest park, in Sevran
This very popular walk, which has already been extended to Meaux (46 kilometers one way!), remains unmissable for the diversity of the landscapes crossed, the quality of the trails and the many activities offered along the way. We leave early in the morning from the Place de la République, in Paris, to enjoy the banks of the Saint-Martin canal without the crowds. Arrived at Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad, we go up the Bassin de La Villette, on the Quai de la Loire side, where rides, bars and playgrounds invite you to take a first break. Always straight on, along the cycle path of the Canal de l’Ourcq, many open-air bars with refreshments, deckchairs and gardens unfold on both banks when the fine weather arrives.
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