Vexin Limestone and Seine Cliffs · short arc

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Fuel stop near Mitry-Mory

   The aircraft give it away. Mitry-Mory lies just south of Charles de Gaulle Airport, and the planes descending over the fields are a constant presence. This is the Plaine de France, a flat, open country north-east of Paris where large-scale farming mixes with logistics parks, motorways and suburban towns. It is not a place you come to for scenery, but it is a practical gateway for riders heading out of Paris towards the north or the west.

   Read the complete Fuel stop near Mitry-Mory write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Vexin Limestone and Seine Cliffs is where the day begins. Next is Paris / Île-de-France escapes return.

2. 2. Near Saint-Crépin-Ibouvillers, on the way back

   The Pays de Thelle is a low chalk plateau north of the Vexin, crossed by quiet roads and patched with woods, and this stop lies in its quieter part, between Saint-Crépin-Ibouvillers, Villeneuve-les-Sablons and Lormaison. It is undramatic, gently rolling country, with big fields, farm courtyards built of flint and brick, and small churches in every village.

   Read the complete Near Saint-Crépin-Ibouvillers, on the way back write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Paris / Île-de-France escapes return comes up about 65 km into the recorded legs. Next is Food stop in Septeuil.

3. 3. Food stop in Septeuil

   Septeuil is a small village in the Yvelines, west of Paris, tucked into the valley of the Vaucouleurs, a small river that runs north towards the Seine at Mantes. The village has an old church, a few shops and cafés, and a pleasant rural atmosphere, surrounded by fields, woods and gentle hills.

   Read the complete Food stop in Septeuil write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   A break here. Next is Photo stop near Étréchy.

4. 4. Photo stop near Étréchy

   Planning note

   Photo stop near Étréchy, about halfway. Next is Vexin Limestone and Seine Cliffs checkpoint 8.

5. 5. Fresnes

   Fresnes is a working suburb on the southern edge of Paris, between Antony, Wissous and the sprawl of Rungis. It is not a place anyone visits for its scenery, but as a start and finish it does the job well. The A6 and A86 are close, the N118 heads west towards the Chevreuse valley, and the Vexin and Seine cliffs are within reach after a short motorway dash.

   Read the complete Fresnes write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Finish at Vexin Limestone and Seine Cliffs checkpoint 8. That is the ride. Next is High point near Ozouer-le-Voulgis.

6. 6. High point near Ozouer-le-Voulgis

   Planning note

   High point near Ozouer-le-Voulgis comes up about 305 km into the recorded legs. Next is Scenic stretch near Bussy-Saint-Georges.

7. 7. Scenic stretch near Bussy-Saint-Georges

   Planning note

   Scenic stretch near Bussy-Saint-Georges closes the day.