• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pinch and Swirl
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Travel » France » Paris

    Paris Velib - A League of 20,000 Bikes

    Published: Oct 29, 2015 · Modified: Oct 26, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 8 Comments

    In 2007 the Paris Town Hall instituted Vélib, the biggest bike-sharing system in the world: 1,800 bike stations across the city (every 300 meters) for a total of 20,000 bikes. The bikes may be rented for 1,70 € per day ($1.87 US dollars). If you live here, you can pay 29 € ($31.87 US dollars) for an entire year!

    At a station, you might find this:

    Velib full bike station

    Or this. (Most often, something in between. 🙂 )

    Empty Velib station

    We see people all over the city on these bikes. We had to try them!

    After a hearty breakfast of Baked Eggs we set off.  Not ready to brave the narrow, bustling city streets, we took the metro out to a large park full of bike trails near the Château de Vincennes. We quickly found a bike station with just a few bikes remaining, not surprising considering the cloudless sky. And we were on our way.

    Velib 4

    These bikes are nothing like the characters we rode out to Monet's garden. They are very sturdy (read: heavy), have big, cushy seats, have a covered chain so you don't get grease all over your pants, and shift smoothly - all in all, very comfortable to ride. If you're visiting Paris, don't miss giving them a try!

    Velib 2
    Velib 1
    Velib 3
    Chateau Vincennes

    More Paris

    • Kale Apple Salad served on white plates and photographed from the top.
      Kale Apple Salad
    • serving Gratin Dauphinois with a large spoon
      Gratin Dauphinois (Potato Gratin)
    • Potato Leek Soup served in white bowls
      Potato Leek Soup
    • Fines Herbes Omelet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. KevinIsCooking says

      November 04, 2015 at 11:01 pm

      On our last visit we didn't have a chip in our credit card to use, but now we do!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 05, 2015 at 3:56 am

        It's really fun to pedal around on these bikes! Add it to your list of 'to dos.' 🙂

        Reply
    2. Mon Petit Four (@byMonPetitFour) says

      November 03, 2015 at 10:03 am

      Ohh the Velib <3 Makes me so happy! What a scenic route you took too 😀 I love that you can return the bikes at another station. Gorgeous photos, Marissa!

      Reply
    3. Toni L Godman says

      November 02, 2015 at 9:50 am

      Happy Monday from California.......great wisdom for the folks who put this bike rental system together.....You Two are surely have so much fun in such a gorgeous city!! I trust your Monday evening is creating additional, inspiring memories!

      Reply
    4. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      October 29, 2015 at 2:20 pm

      My husband is a keen cyclist and he would absolutely love this! I think he's hoping that they'll adopt it here in Sydney (probably little chance of that happening).

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 01, 2015 at 2:24 am

        Since I posted this, I've learned that they have the same kind of program in New York and San Francisco - so perhaps Sydney is next. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Dorothy Dunton says

      October 29, 2015 at 9:09 am

      Mi Marissa! Again, beautiful photos! What a great way to see the sights at your own pace and get some exercise! I haven't been on a bike in years so I'm sure my legs would remind me of that the next day! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 01, 2015 at 2:23 am

        Thank you, Dorothy! haha, I know what you mean, when you haven't been on a bike for awhile - your body definitely tells you about it the next day. 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    The best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and that’s just what you’ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks. Learn more →

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    12 Recipes to Know by Heart Book Cover
    Subscribe for Free E-Cookbook

    Reader Favorites

    • Oven Roasted Crispy Pork Belly
    • lemon garlic pasta served in a white bowl
      Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Carne-Asada thinly sliced across the grain featured
      Carne Asada Recipe
    • Shrimp Tacos served on a white oval platter with extra sauce on the side.
      Shrimp Tacos
    • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Creamy Tomato Bisque
      Tomato Bisque
    • Mashed Red Potatoes photographed from above featured
      Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Grilled Lamb Chops
    • Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings
    • Rice Cooker Mexican Rice served in a gray ceramic bowl and photographed from above.
      Rice Cooker Mexican Rice

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Meet Marissa
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 PinchandSwirl

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Email