Paris–London by Bike and Boat: Avenue Verte and Vélomaritime

This 12-day self-guided tour cycles from Paris to London via the Avenue Verte and Vélomaritime routes, crossing the Channel by sailboat rather than ferry. From Paris, the route follows the same opening stages as DolceVia's ferry-based Avenue Verte tour through Maisons-Laffitte, Chaussy and the medieval fortress at Gisors to the spa town of Forges-les-Eaux.

From Dieppe, the route continues along the Alabaster Coast's white cliffs to Cayeux-sur-Mer, home to Europe's longest boardwalk, and past a seal colony at Pointe du Hourdel, through Le Touquet to Boulogne-sur-Mer for the SailLink sailboat crossing to Dover.

In England, the route passes Dover Castle and UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral, crossing the Greenwich Prime Meridian before finishing at Tower Bridge in London.

Highlights:

• Medieval fortress at Gisors
• Alabaster Coast white cliffs and Cayeux-sur-Mer's boardwalk
• Seal colony at Pointe du Hourdel
• Low-carbon SailLink sailboat crossing, Boulogne to Dover
• Dover Castle and UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral
• Greenwich Prime Meridian and Tower Bridge finish

Surface and terrain:
Urban paths out of Paris giving way to bucolic countryside, forests, valleys, dune systems and pine forests, then urban cycling into London.

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