La Seine à Vélo connects Paris with the sea through a valley shaped by river trade, industry, painting and changing landscapes. The route project, developed by departments in Île-de-France and Normandy, follows the Seine towards Rouen before offering two ways to reach the coast: Le Havre or Deauville.
From Paris into the Seine Valley
The official itinerary begins in the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Its first section leaves central Paris via Place de la République, the Canal Saint-Martin and the Canal Saint-Denis. Around Saint-Denis, the basilica and its royal tombs offer a historical stop before the route passes the port of Gennevilliers.
The journey then returns to the Seine and the Promenade Bleue, using former towpaths near the river. Rueil-Malmaison adds a connection to Napoleon and Joséphine, while Chatou introduces the Impressionist associations that recur along the valley. Beyond Chatou, the itinerary continues towards Conflans-Sainte-Honorine and Mantes-la-Jolie.
River bends, painters and Normandy
West of Mantes-la-Jolie, the scenery includes river loops, islands and chalk slopes. The official stage descriptions point to Vétheuil, associated with Claude Monet, and La Roche-Guyon, where a château and keep stand beneath the chalk cliffs. The route continues towards Giverny and Vernon, bringing Impressionist and medieval heritage into the same part of the trip.
Rouen is a substantial place to pause before continuing towards Jumièges. Along this part of the valley, the river remains a link between historic settlements and landscapes that attracted painters. The route’s own guide presents the journey as a way to discover cultural, historical and industrial heritage across both Île-de-France and Normandy.
Two ways to the coast
At Jumièges, decide which side of the estuary and which destination suit your trip. The Le Havre branch continues towards the Tancarville Bridge, then passes Harfleur before reaching Le Havre. The official itinerary highlights the city centre rebuilt by Auguste Perret and the seafront promenade.
The Deauville branch crosses the Seine by ferry at Jumièges and travels through a different Normandy landscape, including the Brotonne forest area and Marais Vernier. It continues via Berville-sur-Mer and Honfleur, then through the Pays d’Auge and Pont-l’Évêque to Deauville. Honfleur’s old harbour is a natural place to allow time for a stop.
Planning the ride
La Seine à Vélo’s official itinerary divides the project into stages and also suggests shorter journeys, including Paris to Vernon and Rouen to either coastal destination. Use those sections to build a trip around the places you want to visit, whether you intend to ride the whole route or only part of it.
France Vélo Tourisme describes the route as suited to riders with cycling experience, with much of it on smaller shared roads and some sections still being developed. It says the route carries the V33 number, but notes that signs are absent within central Paris. The Seine is crossed several times by bridges or ferries; check the relevant stage and crossing information before setting out, particularly when choosing a branch at Jumièges.