Paris–Amsterdam: The Avenue Verte and Vélomaritime

This 14-day tour combines two French cycling routes, the Avenue Verte and the Vélomaritime, extending on through Belgium and the Netherlands to Amsterdam. Starting at the Parvis of Notre-Dame in Paris, the route heads through Cergy and Gisors to Forges-les-Eaux, then on to Dieppe on the Normandy coast.

From Dieppe, the Vélomaritime coastal route continues through Cayeux-sur-Mer, Berck-sur-Mer and Boulogne-sur-Mer, with dunes, coastal cliffs and nature reserves, before crossing into Belgium at Nieuwpoort and on into the Netherlands via Breskens and Haamstede.

The final stages pass through Hoek van Holland and Noordwijk before finishing in Amsterdam, with its canals, bridges and 17th-century gabled houses.

Highlights:

• Avenue Verte through Normandy's countryside and wooded hills
• Vélomaritime coastal dunes and cliffs, Cayeux-sur-Mer to Boulogne-sur-Mer
• Crossing into Belgium at Nieuwpoort
• Dutch coastal towns of Breskens and Haamstede
• Historic fortified towns and windmills en route
• Finish in Amsterdam among its canals and gabled houses

Surface and terrain:
Rural landscapes and wooded hills through France, giving way to dunes and coastal paths, then flat Dutch countryside into Amsterdam.

Suitable for:
Travellers in good shape wanting a small challenge; moderate, 40-70km/day.