Get out of Paris by motorbike to nearby villages
Less than one hundred kilometers from Paris, several villages preserve a remarkable architectural heritage. These destinations can be reached in an hour or two from the capital. The roads cross varied landscapes between valleys, plateaus and forests. A day is enough to visit one or two villages and come back in the evening.
Barbizon, painters' village on the edge of Fontainebleau
Access from Paris
Barbizon is located sixty kilometers south of Paris. The road crosses the southern suburbs and then enters the Fontainebleau forest. Pines and oaks line the roadway. The forest covers twenty-five thousand hectares. Follow the direction Barbizon.
The village and its architecture
Barbizon extends along a main street. The low limestone houses line up. The flat tiled roofs typical of Île-de-France cover the buildings. Painted wooden shutters frame the windows. Some facades still have typical signs. The Auberge Ganne welcomed painters in the 19th century. Théodore Rousseau, Jean-François Millet and Camille Corot stayed here between 1830 and 1870. They founded the Barbizon school, a precursor movement to impressionism. These artists were painting in the open air in the forest. The departmental museum exhibits their works.
The landscape
The Fontainebleau forest offers winding roads. The turns follow one another between the trees. Sandstone rocks can be discovered at the bend of the paths.
Auvers-sur-Oise, Van Gogh's last village
Access from Paris
Auvers-sur-Oise is located thirty-five kilometers north-west of Paris. The road runs along the Seine and then goes up the Oise Valley. The hillsides rise on either side of the river. Cultivated fields cover the slopes. Villages follow one another along the valley. The Oise meanders between the meadows.
The village and its history
Auvers clings to the hillside overlooking the Oise. The Notre-Dame church dates from the 12th century. Its Romanesque facade and bell tower were painted by Vincent Van Gogh in June 1890. The painter lived in Auvers for the last ten weeks. He created seventy paintings during this stay. His grave and that of his brother Theo are in the communal cemetery. The houses in the village have retained their 19th century appearance. The millstone walls typical of the region make up the facades. The Ravoux inn where Van Gogh stayed can be visited. His room under the roof was left empty.
The relief of the valley
The Oise Valley digs the Vexin plateau. The hillsides rise one hundred and fifty meters above the river. The road climbs from the bottom of the valley to the village. The laces cross the orchards and gardens. The views over the valley are clear.
Provins, fortified medieval city
Access from Paris
Provins is located ninety kilometers south-east of Paris. The road crosses Brie. This limestone plateau extends between the Seine and the Marne. The cereal fields dominate. Wheat, barley and rapeseed according to the seasons. Briearde farms punctuate the landscape. These large farms combine homes and agricultural buildings around a square courtyard. Four-pitched roofs cover the farmhouses.
The fortified upper town
Provins preserves three kilometers of medieval ramparts. These fortifications were built between the 11th and the 13th centuries. The upper town developed as a major commercial center. The Counts of Champagne organized fairs renowned throughout Europe there. Italian, Flemish and German merchants met there. The Caesar Tower dominates from its forty-four meters. This octagonal tower dates from the 12th century.
The Briard Plateau
The Briard plateau undulates slightly. Straight roads cross the open fields. These large plots without hedges are the result of agricultural consolidation. The villages can be seen from afar thanks to the bell towers. The straight lines stretch for miles. The monotonous portions alternate with the town crossings.
Moret-sur-Loing, fortified village on the banks of the river
Access from Paris
Moret-sur-Loing is located eighty kilometers south of Paris. The road runs along the Fontainebleau forest from the west. The Loing passes through Moret before flowing into the Seine three kilometers away. The meanders of the Loing River shape the landscape. Poplars line the banks. Meadows extend into the valley.
The medieval village
Moret preserves its fortified doors from the 12th century. The Burgundy Gate and the Samois Gate frame the village. The ramparts follow the course of the Loing. The medieval bridge with eleven arches spans the river. It was built in the 12th century. The Notre-Dame church dates from the same period. Its sculpted portal is inspired by that of Notre-Dame de Paris. Half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries line the alleys.
The Loing Valley
The Loing Valley digs the plateau between Fontainebleau and the Seine. The road follows the meanders of the river. The bends follow the course of the watercourse. The shaded areas under the trees alternate with the passages in the open area. The gentle relief of the valley offers a smooth ride.
Vétheuil, village in the loops of the Seine
Access from Paris
Vétheuil is located seventy kilometers north-west of Paris. The path follows the meanders of the river. The wooded hillsides frame the valley. White chalk cliffs appear in places.
The village on the banks of the Seine
Vétheuil backs onto the hillside overlooking the Seine. The Notre-Dame church stands at the top of the village. Its construction took place from the 12th to the 16th century. The Gothic bell tower culminates at fifty meters. Claude Monet lived in Vétheuil from 1878 to 1881. There he painted one hundred and fifty canvases. The banks of the Seine, the church and the village in different seasons make up his subjects. The limestone houses go down to the river. The terraced gardens hug the slope. The river port maintains its ancient character.
The loops of the Seine
The Seine meanders widely in this region. The wooded hillsides are reflected in the water. The road goes up and down following the terrain. The turns adapt to the topography. Views of the river are multiplying.
Weather and seasons around Paris
The four seasons are marked. Summer remains temperate. Temperatures reach twenty-five to thirty degrees between June and August. The days are long. The sun sets after 21 hours in June.
Spring and fall offer mild temperatures. Ten to twenty degrees from March to May and from September to November. Spring blossoms fruit trees in the valleys. Cherry and apple trees color the orchards. Autumn turns the forests yellow. The red foliage stands out in the Fontainebleau and Vexin mountains.
Practical advice
These five villages can be visited in one day each. You can combine two nearby villages like Barbizon and Moret-sur-Loing or Auvers-sur-Oise and Vétheuil. Leave early in the morning to take advantage of the light and avoid periods of heavy traffic. The villages have restaurants and cafes. Tourist offices provide maps and information on sites to visit.
For this type of outing around Paris, two models from the catalog Good Motors cover most of the needs. La Honda NX500, accessible by A2, remains versatile and comfortable for one day. Its natural position allows you to run several kilometers without getting tired. For longer or longer trips, the BMW F900 GS offers an additional reserve. Its engine and its size are well suited to the varied itineraries that combine valleys, plateaus and wooded areas around the Paris region.
Good Motors offers self-service motorcycle rentals 24 hours a day. Two rental points are available in Paris, at Gare du Nord and to Montparnasse, according to the itinerary you plan.
Villages around Paris
The villages around Paris preserve a remarkable architectural heritage. Barbizon, Auvers-sur-Oise, Provins, Moret-sur-Loing and Vétheuil offer different atmospheres. Forests, valleys and plateaus offer varied landscapes. These destinations can be reached quickly from the capital. They allow day trips with a real change of scenery.
Book your motorcycle directly on Good Motors departing from Paris: https://goodmotors.agency/villes/paris
