Day 2 – Paris by Vélib’ E-Bike (Tuesday, 16 Sept 2025)

🌅 Morning

• 09:00 – Metro Line 8 from Maisons-Alfort → Hôtel de Ville.
• 09:30 – Pick up e-bike at Rue de l’Oratoire (Notre-Dame area).
• 09:30–10:30 – Explore Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité. Walk around, photos.

🖼️ Late Morning

• 10:30 – Ride along Seine → dock at Louvre / Rue de Rivoli.
• 10:45–11:45 – See Louvre courtyard & Tuileries Garden.
• 11:45 – Cycle to Champs-Élysées (Colisée station).

🍴 Lunch

• 12:15–13:15 – Lunch on Champs-Élysées or near Opéra Garnier (if you detour). Options from cafés (€15–20) to brasseries.

🎨 Afternoon

• 13:30 – Pick up e-bike → ride north to Montmartre / Anvers station.
• 14:00–15:30 – Walk up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Place du Tertre, explore Montmartre streets.

🌇 Evening

• 16:00 – Ride back south to Eiffel Tower (Bir-Hakeim station).
• 16:30–18:30 – Relax at Champ de Mars gardens, Eiffel photos, optional river stroll.
• 18:30–19:30 – Dinner near Eiffel Tower or quick picnic.

🌙 Return

• 20:00 – Metro Line 8 (Bir-Hakeim → Maisons-Alfort).
• 20:30 – Back at friend’s house.

✅ Notes

• Each bike ride: 10–20 minutes → stay under 30 min, dock, and re-unlock to avoid surcharges.
• Vélib’ day pass = €5 + €1/30 min for electric assist.
• Comfortable shoes essential (expect 10k–12k steps).
• Always check bike dock light = green before leaving.

Recommended Vélib’ E-Bike Stations for Day 2

Near Notre Dame / Île de la Cité

• Station: Rue de l'Oratoire, 1st arrondissement
  • Very close to Notre Dame / Île de la Cité area Mindtrip

Near Louvre / Tuileries

• Stations along Rue de Rivoli near the Louvre and Tuileries garden (likely around the Tuileries Métro station) Wikipediaeutouring.com

Along Champs-Élysées

• Multiple stations including Colisée – Champs-Élysées, Place du Canada, François Ier – Montaigne, Jean Mermoz – Champs-Élysées, etc. velos-paris.com

Near Eiffel Tower

• Stations: Bir-Hakeim, Bourdonnais – Tour Eiffel, Octave Gréard – Tour Eiffel, Suffren – Champ de Mars velos-paris.com

Near Montmartre (Sacre-Cœur)

• Not explicitly mapped, but Vélib stations are spaced ~300 meters apart across central Paris velib-metropole.frWikipedia
  • You’ll find one at the base of the hill or near Abbesses / Anvers Metro stations.

Draft Day 2 Route with Vélib’ Stops

Why This Works

• Convenience: Stations are located near major attractions, minimizing walking distance—only a few minutes by foot between attractions and docks.
• Frequency: Vélib’ stations are roughly every 300 m velib-metropole.freutouring.com.
• Flexibility: Can ride as much as you like—free for first 30 minutes per trip with 24-hour pass; swap bikes easily Secrets of Paris.

Suggested Route (With Bike Stops)

Morning Start (~09:30)

• Metro Line 8 from Maisons-Alfort → Bastille / Hôtel de Ville.
• Pickup at Rue de l’Oratoire (Notre Dame area).

Segment 1: Ride along Seine to Louvre / Tuileries → dock at Rue de Rivoli.
Segment 2: Ride through Place de la Concorde → Champs-Élysées → dock at Colisée station.
Segment 3: Ride north to Montmartre (Abbesses/Anvers) → park & walk up Sacré-Cœur.
Segment 4 (Evening): Ride downhill toward Seine → dock at Bir-Hakeim / Champ de Mars near Eiffel Tower.
End: Watch sunset, dinner nearby, then Metro Line 8 back to Maisons-Alfort.

✅ Quick Tips

• Average ride: 10–20 min between stops.
• Each ride under 30 min = included in pass.
• If you exceed 30 min, just dock → unlock a new bike to reset timer.
• Paris drivers are used to cyclists, but always signal with your hand before turning.

🌙 Optional Evening Add-Ons

🚤 Option A: Seine Night Cruise

• Bateaux Parisiens or Vedettes du Pont Neuf → classic 1-hour cruise.
• Times: Boats run until ~21:30–22:00.
• Highlights: Eiffel Tower lights sparkle (every hour on the hour), illuminated bridges, Notre-Dame, Louvre.
• Cost: ~€15–20.
  👉 Best if you want romantic, relaxed sightseeing by night.

🏙️ Option B: Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck

• 210m skyscraper with open-air deck.
• Metro: Bir-Hakeim → Montparnasse (Line 6, ~20 min).
• View: Eiffel Tower + whole Paris skyline (better than Eiffel Tower itself).
• Open until 23:30.
• Cost: ~€18.
  👉 Best if you want a panoramic city view at night.

🍷 Option C: Parisian Wine Bar / Café Night

• Around Latin Quarter (near Notre-Dame) or Le Marais (near Hôtel de Ville).
• Cozy bars, live music, wine by the glass (~€6–8).
  👉 Best if you want a local, lively vibe before heading back.

🕖 Updated Timeline with Evening Options

• 18:30–19:30 – Dinner near Eiffel Tower.
• 20:00 – Choose:
  • 🚤 Seine Cruise (1h).
  • 🏙️ Montparnasse Tower (night view).
  • 🍷 Wine Bar / Café in Latin Quarter.
• 22:00–22:30 – Metro Line 8 back to Maisons-Alfort.
• 23:00 – Return to friend’s house.

✅ This way, you can either keep the evening relaxed (cruise), iconic (tower view), or social (wine bar).

Timeline Itinerary

🌅 Morning

• 09:00 – Metro Line 8 from Maisons-Alfort → Hôtel de Ville.
• 09:30 – Pick up Vélib’ at Rue de l’Oratoire station (near Notre-Dame).
• 09:30–10:30 – Explore Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité.

🖼️ Late Morning

• 10:30 – Ride along Seine bike lanes → dock at Louvre / Rue de Rivoli station.
• 10:45–11:45 – Visit Louvre courtyard & Tuileries Garden (photos, short walk).
• 11:45 – Pick up bike → ride to Champs-Élysées / Colisée station.

🍴 Lunch

• 12:15–13:15 – Lunch on Champs-Élysées or nearby.
  • Options: brasserie menus (€18–25) or café sandwich/salad (€10–15).

🎨 Afternoon

• 13:30 – Ride north → dock near Anvers or Abbesses station (Montmartre).
• 14:00–15:30 – Walk up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Place du Tertre, explore Montmartre’s streets and art vibe.

🌇 Evening

• 16:00 – Pick up bike → ride down to Eiffel Tower / Bir-Hakeim station.
• 16:30–18:30 – Relax at Champ de Mars gardens, Eiffel photos at golden hour.
• 18:30–19:30 – Dinner near Eiffel Tower (picnic, bistro, or sit-down meal).

🌙 Optional Evening Activities

• Option A: Seine Night Cruise (1h, ~€15–20) – boats until 21:30.
• Option B: Montparnasse Tower (panoramic night view, open till 23:30, ~€18).
• Option C: Wine Bar / Café in Latin Quarter for Paris nightlife.

🌙 Return

• 22:00–22:30 – Metro Line 8 back to Maisons-Alfort.
• 23:00 – Return to friend’s house, rest.

🎫 Tickets & Costs (estimates)

• Vélib’ 1-day pass: €5 (+€1/30 min for e-bike).
• Metro single trip: €2.15.
• Lunch: €15–20.
• Dinner: €20–30.
• Optional evening:
  • Seine cruise €15–20,
  • Montparnasse Tower €18,
  • Wine bar €6–10 per glass.

✅ With this plan, you cover Notre-Dame, Louvre, Tuileries, Champs-Élysées, Montmartre, and Eiffel Tower all in one day — without rushing, and with the fun of e-bikes.