Top 5 most beautiful villages around Paris to visit by motorcycle

Leaving Paris by motorcycle to visit nearby villages

Less than 100 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 pass through varied landscapes of valleys, plateaus, and forests. A day is enough to visit one or two villages and return in the evening.

Barbizon, village of painters 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 forest of Fontainebleau. Pine and oak trees line the road. The forest covers twenty-five thousand hectares. Follow the signs for Barbizon.

The village and its architecture

Barbizon stretches along a main street. Low limestone houses line the street. The buildings are covered with flat tile roofs typical of the Île-de-France region. Painted wooden shutters frame the windows. Some facades still feature traditional 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 to Impressionism. These artists painted outdoors in the forest. The departmental museum exhibits their works.

The landscape

The Fontainebleau forest offers winding roads. The curves follow one after another between the trees. Sandstone rocks can be seen along the paths.

Auvers-sur-Oise, Van Gogh's last village

Access from Paris

Auvers-sur-Oise is located thirty-five kilometers northwest of Paris. The road runs along the Seine and then 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 winds its way through the meadows.

The village and its history

Auvers clings to the hillside overlooking the Oise River. The Notre-Dame church dates back to the 12th century. Its Romanesque façade and bell tower were painted by Vincent Van Gogh in June 1890. The painter lived in Auvers for his last ten weeks. He produced seventy paintings during his stay. His grave and that of his brother Theo are in the municipal cemetery. The village houses have retained their 19th-century appearance. The facades are made of millstone walls typical of the region. The Ravoux inn where Van Gogh stayed is open to visitors. His room under the eaves remains empty.

The relief of the valley

The Oise Valley cuts through the Vexin Plateau. The hillsides rise 150 meters above the river. The road climbs from the valley floor to the village. The winding road winds through orchards and gardens. The views open up over the valley.

Provins, a fortified medieval town

Access from Paris

Provins is located ninety kilometers southeast of Paris. The road crosses the Brie region. This limestone plateau stretches between the Seine and Marne rivers. Grain fields dominate the landscape, with wheat, barley, and rapeseed depending on the season. Brie farms dot the landscape. These large farms group dwellings and farm buildings around a square courtyard. Hipped roofs cover the farm buildings.

The fortified upper town

Provins has three kilometers of medieval ramparts. These fortifications were built between the 11th and 13th centuries. The upper town developed into a major trading center. The Counts of Champagne organized fairs there that were renowned throughout Europe. Italian, Flemish, and German merchants gathered there. The César Tower stands 44 meters tall. This octagonal tower dates from the 12th century.

The Briard plateau

The Briard plateau undulates gently. Straight roads cross open fields. These large plots without hedges are the result of agricultural consolidation. Villages can be spotted from afar thanks to their bell towers. Straight lines stretch for miles. Monotonous stretches alternate with passages through villages.

Moret-sur-Loing, a fortified village on the riverbank

Access from Paris

Moret-sur-Loing is located eighty kilometers south of Paris. The road runs along the western edge of the Forest of Fontainebleau. The Loing River flows through Moret before emptying into the Seine three kilometers away. The meandering Loing shapes the landscape. Poplar trees line the banks. Meadows stretch across the valley.

The medieval village

Moret still has its 12th-century fortified gates. The Porte de Bourgogne and Porte de Samois frame the village. The ramparts follow the course of the Loing River. 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 carved portal is inspired by that of Notre-Dame de Paris. Half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries line the narrow streets.

The Loing Valley

The Loing Valley cuts through the plateau between Fontainebleau and the Seine. The road follows the meandering course of the river. The bends follow the layout of the waterway. Shady sections under the trees alternate with open stretches. The gentle relief of the valley makes for smooth driving.

Vétheuil, village on the bends of the Seine

Access from Paris

Vétheuil is located seventy kilometers northwest of Paris. The road follows the meandering river. Wooded hillsides frame the valley. White chalk cliffs appear in places.

The village on the banks of the Seine

Vétheuil lies against the hillside overlooking the Seine. The Notre-Dame church stands at the top of the village. Its construction spanned from the 12th to the 16th century. The Gothic bell tower rises to a height of fifty meters. Claude Monet lived in Vétheuil from 1878 to 1881. He painted 150 canvases there. The banks of the Seine, the church, and the village in different seasons were his subjects. The limestone houses slope down toward the river. The terraced gardens follow the slope. The river port retains its old character.

The loops of the Seine

The Seine winds its way through this region. The wooded hillsides are reflected in the water. The road climbs and descends, following the contours of the land. The bends adapt to the topography. There are numerous viewpoints overlooking the river.

Weather and seasons around Paris

The four seasons are distinct. Summers are temperate. Temperatures reach 25 to 30 degrees between June and August. The days are long. The sun sets after 9 p.m. in June.

Spring and fall offer mild temperatures. Ten to twenty degrees from March to May and from September to November. Spring brings blossoms to the fruit trees in the valleys. Cherry and apple trees color the orchards. Fall turns the forests yellow. The red foliage stands out in the Fontainebleau and Vexin forests.

Practical advice

Each of these five villages can be visited in a single day. You can combine two nearby villages, such as Barbizon and Moret-sur-Loing or Auvers-sur-Oise and Vétheuil. Set off early in the morning to enjoy the light and avoid the busiest times. The villages have restaurants and cafés. The tourist offices provide maps and information on places to visit.

For this type of trip around Paris, two models from the Good Motors catalog are ideal. Good Motors catalog cover most needs. The Honda NX500, available with an A2 license, remains versatile and comfortable for a day trip. Its natural riding position allows you to cover several kilometers without getting tired. For longer or more sustained journeys, the BMW F900 GS offers extra power. Its engine and size are well suited to varied routes that combine valleys, plateaus, and wooded areas around the Paris region.

Good Motors offers self-service motorcycle rental 24 hours a day. There are two rental locations in Paris, at Gare du Nord and Montparnasse, depending on your planned itinerary.

Villages around Paris

The villages around Paris boast remarkable architectural heritage. Barbizon, Auvers-sur-Oise, Provins, Moret-sur-Loing, and Vétheuil each offer a different atmosphere. The forests, valleys, and plateaus provide varied landscapes. These destinations are easily accessible from the capital. They are ideal for day trips by motorcycle, offering a real change of scenery.

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