Versailles: Food and Palace Bike Tour

My wife, niece, my nieces best friend and I have been on a two week Europe trip with stops at the major tourist sites in London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona.... read moreMy wife, niece, my nieces best friend and I have been on a two week Europe trip with stops at the major tourist sites in London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona. The Boutique Bikes tour of Versailles palace and gardens was the unanimous best experience we had by a long shot. Stu and Nicki are tremendous guides with amazing knowledge, humor and showmanship. If you have a free day in Paris, you would be doing yourself a disservice not spending the day with either of them. If and when I am able to return to Paris I will be doing the Paris by night tour and will purposely schedule my trip around their schedule. First class company! read less

What a day we had with Stu (and Nikki)! Every detail was accounted for - from getting out to Versailles (and back), to skipping every headache-y line imaginable. Stu knows... read moreWhat a day we had with Stu (and Nikki)! Every detail was accounted for - from getting out to Versailles (and back), to skipping every headache-y line imaginable. Stu knows the ins and the outs of Versailles, brought to life each character/member of the royal family, and made absolutely certain our family had such an incredible experience. I would implore anyone looking for a similarly terrific tour, to book today! read less

The HIGHLIGHT of our trip!!! All I can say is WOW. We didn’t just do one tour with these guys, we did TWO, and they were the highlight of our week in Paris. The night... read moreAll I can say is WOW. We didn’t just do one tour with these guys, we did TWO, and they were the highlight of our week in Paris. The night tour of Paris and the full day at Versailles… and they were both spectacular! I cant even put into words how perfect these tours were, but I’m going to try!

Firstly you would NEVER see so much of Paris or Versailles if you were walking for days, as you can on a bicycle in a few hours. Secondly, there isn’t an audioguide or group tour that could match the feeling of being on a personal small group trip with these guys. Their knowledge and passion for Paris and surrounds makes you feel like you’re hanging out with friends, not walking around like a tourist. The experience is intimate, warm and inspiring.

Paris and Versailles are spectacular places- treat yourself to see them in style. Stu and Nikki... we loved you guys and we cant wait to be back next year and do these two tours again with our family. You should be so proud of yourselves, you’ve got something magical going on.

I never write reviews, but seriously DO this tour. We were so damn glad we did. read less

Exceptionally well organized tour with knowledgeable guides My girlfriend and I are from Washington and did the Versailles Food & Palace Bike Tour and had a wonderful time. We went on Sunday, met up with the tour... read moreMy girlfriend and I are from Washington and did the Versailles Food & Palace Bike Tour and had a wonderful time. We went on Sunday, met up with the tour group, and took an express train to Versailles saving us quite a bit of time. Bikes are beautifully made and comfortable. Going on Sunday meant the Versailles farmer's market was open which was a highlight! I purchased wonderful herbs, salt, and food for our picnic. Versailles itself is magnificent and am so glad we took the day to experience the history. The fountains are operational on Sunday but not every day. Our guide Stu was incredibly knowledgeable and has an interesting professional background that I felt added to his credibility as an experienced guide. I learned so much and was entertained by the stories he shared about King Louis' reign. Stu handed us off to his fiance Niki who took us to a picnic lunch on the grounds by the water. Afterwards we toured Marie Antoinette's Hamlet with Niki which was a delightful comparison to the palace. Niki did a great job painting a picture of Marie's life and experiences. Afterwards we returned to Versailles to tour and watch the fountains and then headed back home. The tour is moderately strenuous. I was tired by the end of the day (was also 10 weeks pregnant) and I'm mid-30 and in reasonably good shape. If you're in poor physical health or have any injuries, you might want to reconsider your tour options. I've been on many tours but this is my first bike tour and I thoroughly enjoyed it. HIGHLY recommend this experience. Boutique Bike Tours created a fun and stress-free experience that is worth the value. read less

Incredible Team and Incredible Experience We love to travel. And we aren't passive travelers. This is our first time in Paris and after researching, we chose two tour with Boutique Bike Tours.

Stu is immensely knowledgeable... read moreWe love to travel. And we aren't passive travelers. This is our first time in Paris and after researching, we chose two tour with Boutique Bike Tours.

Stu is immensely knowledgeable and connected and quite talented at his craft. I love the serendipitous moments when you are around folks doing what they love. It is almost a superpower. Stu leads amazing tours of Paris and the palace.

Nikki is a perpetual source of happy and manages the logistics of where you need to be. It is such a pleasure to have a great tour and a really really well run experience. They really care to ensure you have a fabulous experience.

Stu and Nikki manage not only your learning but your experience. This is so unique.

Our Versailles Tour was led for the first part by Pascal who is also statistically awesome. An expert and perhaps one of the world's most interesting men. Seriously he could star in a Heineken commercial. A family on our tour brought their 5 and 8 year old kids and you can imagine the complexities that adds to any tour. Especially 9 hour tours. Pascal managed and engaged with hose kids like Maria Montessori. Brave family for taking them but what could have been so derailing was manged in a way that was inspiring.

Seeing folks do what they love and doing well is contagious.

You should have no second thoughts about booking anything with Stu and Nikki as along as you are somewhat decent shape and know how to ride a bike and have some serious interest in France. read less

Book this tour now! We had an absolutely incredible day in Versailles with Niki and Stu! They are Versailles and guide experts, making this the best tour we have ever experienced. On top of... read moreWe had an absolutely incredible day in Versailles with Niki and Stu! They are Versailles and guide experts, making this the best tour we have ever experienced. On top of being in the beautiful setting of Versailles, they were friendly, fun, and created a seamless and unforgettable day for us. We loved it all: cycling, market, picnic lunch, and learning about Versailles.
We cannot recommend this tour enough!! read less

Do NOT attempt Versailles any other way. Stu was great! He has a way of telling the history in an interesting way as a story. We learned... read moreDo NOT attempt Versailles any other way. Stu was great! He has a way of telling the history in an interesting way as a story. We learned so much. This was my 3rd visit to Versailles. I hardly got anything out of my previous tours in comparison. We saw behind the scenes, places where you couldn't normally go. Plus all the essentials. We stayed away from the crowds and lines. Other bike tours were jealous of us with their large groups. Stu knows his stuff! He is very interested in history and it shows. Not your average tour guide. This is hands down THE best Versailles tour! You will not regret booking with Boutique Bike Tours! read less

We are travelling through Paris as a family of four adults period I wanted to do something unique to leave a memory for my children that would last a lifetime... read moreWe are travelling through Paris as a family of four adults period I wanted to do something unique to leave a memory for my children that would last a lifetime . It was a day that we will always remember. Nicky and Stu were great hosts and filled our days with special memories of French markets and bike riding through Versailles' magical gardens. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to do something in Versailles that's a little out of the box. read less

 The Versailles bike tour guided by Stu and Nicki was our favorite excursion during the six wonderful days exploring Paris with our family of five (children ages 6, 8, 10).... read moreThe Versailles bike tour guided by Stu and Nicki was our favorite excursion during the six wonderful days exploring Paris with our family of five (children ages 6, 8, 10). We were truly treated to the insights and experiences of an insider and innovator. Stu was our guide but we did get to spend some time with Nicki too! She introduced us to the market and coordinated the wine and cheese tasting. The kids loved picking out items at the market for our picnic later that day while the parents loved picking out an amazing red burgundy after the wine tasting. 🙂 Stu was incredibly knowledgeable and even though I had been to Versailles before - I experienced and saw more than I knew was even possible! These are incredibly well-educated - plus they are both lawyers! Every aspect of this tour was incredibly enjoyable. The (British) bikes are classic. The rides are easy and beautiful (countryside around Versailles). The market was fresh and fun. Starting with the gardens is brilliant! The picnic on the grounds delightful. The history and background comprehensive. Oh - and the skipping lines part?! Yes!! You do NOT want to wait in a line at Versailles FOR SURE! Seriously, this was our favorite part of our trip and has left us with outstanding memories and a desire to return quickly and explore the other tours offered by Boutique Bike Tours with Stu and Nicki! read less

 WOW! What a great experience! It was the highlight of our trip to Paris. We had been to Versailles before, but did not get to see it... read moreWOW! What a great experience! It was the highlight of our trip to Paris. We had been to Versailles before, but did not get to see it like this. We started our day meeting Stu. He explained that we would do half our day with him and the other half with Niki. I will try not to write a novel, but there are so many good things to say. I will also try not to repeat too many of the same things the other reviews have to offer.

Our group was with Niki for the first half of the day. Niki is a bright and bubbly personality, and can make everyone feel as if she has known them forever. We rode from the bike pick-up point to the entrance of Versailles. Niki began here. She incorporates her group and morphs them into the characters as she weaves the history lesson around them. She is very informative and helps her audience/group gain understanding of the time in which Versailles was constructed and lived in. Even for the seasoned historian, Niki had so much more to offer.

After the initial intro to Versailles, we went to the local market and shopped for our lunch. Niki was attentive to us. She arranged for wine and cheese tasting from the vendors, helped our group shop, and then helped pack our lunches into our bike bags. Off we went for our day! The ride was very easy. My husband is a cyclist, but my daughter (15) and I are not. It was easy for all levels of riders and non-riders. The bikes have comfortable seats and are easily maneuverable. We rode onto the grounds and began our tour. We so enjoyed exploring the grounds, gardens, and Marie Antionette's hamlet with Niki. You could feel the love she has for Versailles. Getting to have lunch on the Grand Canal with all of the lovely things we purchased at the market was a wonderful experience too!

We finished of our day with the tour of the Chateau with Stu. We did not have to queue, and gained entrance quickly. Stu's knowledge of the architecture, art, and political climate of the day, gave us so much more than the previous time we were at Versailles. Stu was easy to answer questions. His knowledge is impressive. As a tilt of my hat to Stu, we did have one individual who began not to feel well. His attention to said individual was commendable. He made sure they were taken care of and did this seamlessly. His familiarity and interaction with the staff and security of Versailles says a lot about how they feel about him. They helped him and the individual immediately.

I would highly recommend Boutique Bike Tours. I can honestly say that the level of customer service, professionalism, and general love of what they do is evident all day. You would be amiss to not invest in your time at Versailles with them. read less

Really quality experience here! Stu and Nikki are super knowledgeable, they make this tour really fun without feeling like a traditional tour group. This is a must do if you're... read moreReally quality experience here! Stu and Nikki are super knowledgeable, they make this tour really fun without feeling like a traditional tour group. This is a must do if you're going to visit Versailles. read less

 This was my favorite part of our trip! Did both the Paris night tour as well as the Versailles ... both tours have a different vibe, both are cool,... read moreThis was my favorite part of our trip! Did both the Paris night tour as well as the Versailles ... both tours have a different vibe, both are cool, fun and unique. Highly recommend. read less