Try it!
Well, Holly has a big smile because we were having so much fun riding around Paris on the Vélibs. The cost can be a little as $2.20 to ride for the day. If you return your bike to one of the 1,800 stations within 30 minutes, there is no additional charge. We rode for two days all over Paris, mixing it up with the traffic. On my recent trip, I spent one day riding alone, crossing the Seine bridges and riding as far as Jardin des Plantes from the 2ème.
There are 20,000 bikes ready to ride, waiting on you. Check out the site here.
If you are hesitant, start away from congested traffic areas (Place Charles de Gaule for sure!)
On our first 30-minute ride we bumped across the cobblestones of Champs Elysées, passed between Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and then crossed Pont Alexandre III. What a rush!
(Learn the words - It will make you feel so cool -
do not forget to ring the little bell as you sing, too)
Je m' baladais sur l' avenue
Le coeur ouvert à l' inconnu
J' avais envie de dire bonjour
A n' importe qui
Le coeur ouvert à l' inconnu
J' avais envie de dire bonjour
A n' importe qui
N' importe qui et ce fut toi
Je t' ai dit n' importe quoi
Il suffisait de te parler
Pour t' apprivoiser
Je t' ai dit n' importe quoi
Il suffisait de te parler
Pour t' apprivoiser
Aux Champs-Elysées
Aux Champs-Elysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie
A midi ou à minuit
Il y a tout c' que vous voulez
Aux Champs-Elysées!
Aux Champs-Elysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie
A midi ou à minuit
Il y a tout c' que vous voulez
Aux Champs-Elysées!
Les rues du 15ième
75015, Paris
24 comments:
Oh, it does sound like such fun! Love your capture for the day and that lovely smile! Enjoy the remainder of your week, Genie!!
Hugs
Sylvia
What a wonderful sense of freedom in a marvelous place to ride.
Jo Dassin aurait été ravi de vous entendre chanter en vous baladant dans Paris !
Je serais bien venue avec toi pédaler... une bien agréable manière de découvrir cette merveilleuse ville.
Gros bisous à toi et merci pour cette photo...
That song... A classic!
I think riding a Velib (or any other "Deux roues") in Paris requires courage... or sheer folly, especially without a helmet.
Great shot of Holly, but I am glad you two made it unscathed after two days manoeuvering in crazy Parisian traffic.
Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
That song... A classic!
I think riding a Velib (or any other "Deux roues") in Paris requires courage... or sheer folly, especially without a helmet.
Great shot of Holly, but I am glad you two made it unscathed after two days manoeuvering in crazy Parisian traffic.
Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
:-)
Pierre
Very brave of the two of you!! Although you hear that song a lot in France, Jos Dassin is not high on the French list of favorites. He is American.
It must be lovely to cycle around Paris. I used to cycle a lot here in Kuantan, Malaysia, but it's just so hot and humid.
Duncan In Kuantan
Kuantan nature photos
Such a terrific and cheap mode of transport for those who are not cycle challenged. We have a similar concept over here in Melbourne but our legislation requires cyclers to wear a helmet which is not something every tourist carries in their trusty travel bag. I believe there are places where the helmets can be hired too. What fun you and Holly must have had.
Did you feel a bit like the cycle racers of the Tour the France who in the final have to do the Champs Elysées 8 times.
To ride, to sing, to feel the breeze blowing and see the beauty of Paris ... No wonder Holly is smiling!
What a deal and what a way to see a city.
love that little song .. tho you dont want me to sing, trust me
that's an amazing deal! I know RIck looked at them, but he didn't do it -- mostly we were sticking together and I'm bad on a bike in no traffic in Michigan! I'd be pretty freaked on a velib there but it would be fun to try! Oh, my list for next time just gets longer and longer! Is there a website with the tune for that song?
PS -- I meant to add that Holly is a beautiful girl! You must have had a blast doing it all together!
big bike small bike. Hmmm
I hadn't thought about biking around Paris, but I will certainly give it a try next time I am there.
Hi, Holly.
That smile say it all - how wonderful that cities everywhere are welcoming more bikers, even in car-crazy U.S.!
Nothing like a good bike ride.
Martine - If Jo Dassin had a great sense of humor he would have enjoyed our laughter and singing as we crossed the Champs. I think that Holly also made a comment about Le Tour de France. It is very bumpy on a bike!
Ah Ken Mac, you are back again. These bikes are the same size, and it is good that the seats will go low enough for short legs of Holly and her maman.
s.c. - we really felt happy, liberated, non-touristy, and, yes... a bit like the cyclists in the Tour. I do not think that I could even balance one of theirs!
Veronique, I do think that it is a bit crazy to ride without helmets, but I do not have a good solution for that as yet.
Bises,
Genie
I usually take a vélib in the evening or on a Holiday when the streets aren´t so crowded.
Oh wow Genie, I'm mega impressed..not sure if I'll be brave enough to try this..but on the other hand, what a fab way to get around my favourite city, would get to see so much more oui!
You do have me convinced to try this on my next trip....went on their website for information...thanks again for your help:-)
How wonderful to share this with Holly...
Place as beautiful as heaven. I have traveled to Paris for two weeks. Even I have written here.
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