25th August 2026: Ferry to Le Havre then train to Paris

We’re off again. This year we are cycling the Danube – 1200km from Donaueschingen, in the Black Forest in S Germany, to Budapest.

When we returned to Portsmouth from our 2024 France/Spain cycle touring, fitting our bikes loaded with panniers onto UK trains was a real struggle. I vowed never again! This year we drove our bikes to Portsmouth leaving the campervan parked at Morrisons for 6 weeks (JustPark app) , caught the ferry to Le Havre where we spent the night, then train to Paris

Cycling around this beautiful city is easy these days. During Covid, so many people refused to travel on the Metro that the government designated more and more roads and bus lanes to cyclists.

Yesterday we explored the vast historic Père Lachaise cemetery where Jim Morrison is buried with a million others.

This morning we cycled along the banks of the Seine to the recently restored cathedral of Notre Dame. Wow! We were stunned by the scale of the devastation created by the fire, and filled with awe at the enormity and beauty of the restoration. We both felt rather emotional as we sat for quite a while simply taking it all in. Neil lit a candle in memory of his dear cousin Jean who passed away the day we left.

On we cycled to Saint Germain where we sipped aromatic coffees in Cafe de Flore, following in the footsteps of Picasso, Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon etc etc – although our conversations were not nearly so esoteric! Back on our bikes to enjoy a super informative river cruise, followed by a late lunch in the Musee D’Orsay and then art to our heart’s content. How we love this city.