Dieppe to Paris ride - getting train back from Paris...

[joanna]

Hi, I'm cycling from Dieppe to Paris next week with a friend. I'm a bit confused about getting back from Paris. Not cycling (unless we have enough time and energy!), so train it is. Not Eurostar, as we are getting the ferry back from Dieppe to Newhaven. Hoping to get the train that runs to Dieppe (changing at Rouen I think)

I've seen a few posts about getting the train back (one thread on the FNRTTC) and a few internet searches, but my friend likes to 'go with the flow' and doesn't worry about pre-booking etc. I really don't want to be stuck in Paris, not being able to get back.

Any experience, should I rebook, or should I 'go with the flow' and risk just arriving at the station in the hope that me and my bike can get on the train (this will be a Friday).

I know I should do my own research, but reckon a few of you must have done the ride and journey back yourselves. Thanks for any help

 

[StuartG]

You have to go via Rouen where you change to a local train to Dieppe.

The problem is not all the Rouen expresses accept bikes (folders are OK). So you need to check that carefully with the online timetable. They are marked. Its not a problem on the local to Dieppe. No need to book in advance as long as you get the right train. The staff at the Paris terminus speak perfect English and are very helpful. At least when I did it.

Last year we came back taking a local train out of Paris and then cycling along the perfectly flat and gorgeous Seine to Rouen (the last bit into Rouen was awful though). Then you push your bikes up the hill out of Rouen and its a delightful cycle into Dieppe. We were surprised to be served by a famous ex-Saracens rugby international who had retired to run a cafe in a small sleepy Normandy town.

PS If you are 60 (or can look 60 with a bit of talc) just ask for the senior fare ... saves 25%

 

[joanna]

Thanks Stuart, like the sound of cycling part of the way back - Rouen to Dieppe would be nice
I'll have a look at the timetable now for trains from Paris - thanks for the tip.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

sounds like a fun trip ...similar route to the one I did at 16 I think...well part of it..oh how the years fly by

 

[StuartG]

Thanks Stuart, like the sound of cycling part of the way back - Rouen to Dieppe would be nice.

Its about 40/45 miles if I remember it right. Once you have climbed the steep hill out of Rouen its gentle rolling back roads and then gently down one of the river valleys into Dieppe. Make sure you get a good map with contours (IGN) to avoid some deep valleys. Its fun to find your own way but I could try and put my old route together if you wish. I may be repeating it on July 21st ... (end of the FNRttC).

The Paris terminus is St Lazare. That part of Central Paris has some good cycleways to help you get there.

 

[joanna]

We ended up getting the train from Paris to Rouen to Dieppe - only just got it with minutes to spare! There was a 50 minute queue to get tickets at Paris. The train was packed, but fortunately there were no other bikes on board - otherwise I'm not sure what we would have done. Fully loaded bikes aren't the easiest to navigate around crowded trains. On the Rouen to Dieppe train, there was a bike compartment but with not a lot of room, and the bikes had to be stored on it by hooking the front wheel to the wall and hanging it down lengthways. Fortunately, me and my friend got away with not doing this, and just kept our bikes as they were - but I was forever moving mine out of the way for passengers. Worked out in the end - just. Thankfully got to ferry with 20 minutes to spare

If I did it again, which I'd love to... I'd do the route both ways I think!!