👉 In a hurry? Compare and book bike rentals from trusted local Paris shops on Lokki: classic, electric, cargo and kids' bikes, English spoken, with free cancellation on most rentals. Or if you'd rather not search at all, get a free quote and our team finds the right bike for you. It's free, and we're nice. :)
Is Paris a good city for cycling?
Yes, and it keeps getting better and safer. Since 2020 the city has doubled its bike infrastructure, pedestrianized the Seine quays, and added protected lanes on big streets like Rue de Rivoli. Why it works so well for visitors:
- Flat and compact. Central Paris is small and mostly flat, so it's easy even if you haven't cycled in a while.
- Car-free Sundays. The Seine banks and several neighborhoods close to cars on Sundays, perfect for a stress-free first ride.
- Everything is close. Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre-Dame all link up in one lovely loop.
Your options: Vélib', free-floating, or a local rental shop
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Vélib' (docked bikes) | Quick one-off A-to-B hops | You need to find a free dock, and per-minute e-bike fees add up |
| Free-floating (Dott, Lime) | Spontaneous short rides | App plus deposit, and no kids, cargo or touring bikes |
| Local rental shop | Half a day to several days, families, e-bikes, quality bikes | Worth booking ahead in summer |
Our honest take: Vélib' and Lime are great for a 15-minute hop. But if you want to actually explore Paris for half a day or more, or you'd like an e-bike, a cargo bike for the family, or a comfy touring bike, a local shop is the better deal and the nicer ride. You get a well-maintained bike, a proper lock, friendly advice from a local, and no meter running while you stop for a coffee.
How much does it cost to rent a bike in Paris?
| Bike type | Typical price per day |
|---|---|
| Classic / city bike | €12 to €22 |
| Electric bike (e-bike) | €25 to €69 |
| Mountain / gravel / road | €25 to €57 |
| Cargo bike | €30 to €75 |
Most shops give you a discount for several days, and a deposit or ID is usually all that's needed. The nice surprise: helmets, baskets and phone holders are very often free.
Where to rent a bike in Paris: 7 shops we love
We work with dozens of independent rental shops across Paris, so we know the ones that look after their bikes and their customers. Here are seven we happily recommend, each for a different kind of traveler. All the ratings and review counts below are real, straight from each shop's Lokki page.
Holland Bikes, Opéra (9th) · 4.8 stars, 939 reviews
The most-reviewed shop on this list, right by the Opéra and Galeries Lafayette.
Why we love it: those comfy, upright Dutch bikes make sightseeing feel effortless, and with 939 happy reviews you know exactly what you're getting. They also offer theft protection and guided tours, so first-time visitors feel in good hands from the start. Classic from €20/day, e-bike from €40.
Rentabike Paris, Les Halles (2nd) · 5.0 stars, 647 reviews
A flawless 5.0 rating in the very center of Paris, minutes from the Louvre and the Marais. They run the recognizable Swapfiets-style city bikes (the ones with the blue front tyre), sturdy and dead simple to ride.
Why we recommend it: it's the easy, central choice with everything included. Helmets, bags and phone holders are free, cancellation is free up to 4 days before, and there are city, electric, kids' and gravel bikes. City bike €18, e-bike €35. Honestly hard to go wrong here.
Paris Bike Tour, Marais (3rd) · 4.7 stars, 287 reviews
Tucked behind the Centre Pompidou, this is our budget favorite.
Why we love it: light, recent city bikes from just €12/day without cutting corners on quality, plus free helmets and baskets, child seats, and even ponchos if the weather turns. Great value in a very central spot. E-bikes are €35.
Paris à Vélo, Bastille (11th) · 4.7 stars, 351 reviews
The widest range of bikes in the city.
Why we recommend it for families: cargo bikes, family triporteurs, longtail e-bikes, tandems (including adult-and-child), touring bikes, mountain bikes and kids' bikes, from €19 to €75/day. English-speaking service and the right bike for every member of the group. If you're traveling with little ones, start here.
DolceVia, Sentier (2nd) · 4.9 stars, 275 reviews
The premium pick for riders who care about their bike.
Why we love it: high-end gravel, road and electric bikes (think Riese & Müller e-bikes), plus delivery, insurance and one-way rentals. They can even arrange a drop-off in London. City €22, road and gravel €56 to €57, e-bike €69. A 4.9 rating across 275 reviews says it all.
Vélos Vagabonds, Mouzaïa (19th) · 5.0 stars, 248 reviews
A local gem near the lovely Buttes-Chaumont park.
Why we recommend it: they specialize in touring, trekking and gravel bikes built for comfort over distance, so they're perfect if you want to ride longer and discover a greener, calmer side of Paris away from the crowds. A perfect 5.0 rating, with bikes from €25 to €50.
Paulette Bike, Vaugirard (15th) · 4.6 stars, 58 reviews
A warm, friendly shop in southern Paris, made for adventures beyond the city.
Why we love it: the team helps you ride out to Versailles, Fontainebleau and even further toward Normandy, with panniers and baby carriers ready to go. All-terrain bikes from €18.50, electric from €25. Ideal if you dream of a day trip, not just a city loop.
What kind of bike should you rent?
- City bike: the easy all-rounder for sightseeing and the cycle-lane network.
- Electric bike: flatten the (few) hills and cover more ground, lovely for Montmartre.
- Cargo bike or longtail: carry kids or luggage with ease. Ask Paris à Vélo.
- Kids' bikes, seats and tandems: most family-friendly shops can equip the whole group.
- Gravel, road or touring: for longer rides. DolceVia and Vélos Vagabonds are your specialists.
Best areas and routes to cycle in Paris
- Romantic Paris (about 8 km): Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, Pont Alexandre III, Tuileries.
- Green Paris (about 15 km): Canal Saint-Martin up to Parc de la Villette, back through Buttes-Chaumont.
- Arty Paris (about 12 km): Marais galleries, Centre Pompidou, Bastille, the street art of the 13th.
The escape we actually rode as a team starts at Bastille, heads out to the Bois de Vincennes, passes the Château de Vincennes, then follows the Marne. It is flat, green, and you leave the city traffic behind within minutes. One of our favorite team afternoons.
A local's note from Benoit
I rented from Rentabike with the Lokki team and we rode out toward the Marne. The bikes are the Swapfiets-style ones with the blue front tyre, comfy and reliable. I loved the stretch around Bastille, then riding past the Château de Vincennes before reaching the river. It is the kind of ride that makes you forget you are in a capital city.
Our team outing, in front of the Château de Vincennes
Feel reassured before you go
First time renting a bike abroad? Don't worry. Here's the honest, no-stress version:
- English is spoken at every shop on this list, and the staff are used to helping visitors.
- You're covered. Most rentals include insurance, and many offer free cancellation if your plans change.
- Just bring ID and a card for the deposit. That's usually it.
- Helmets are free on request, even though they aren't mandatory for adults.
- Riding is safe and simple: stick to the bike lanes, signal your turns, and avoid the sidewalks. Locals do the same.
- Book ahead from April to September, when the best bikes go quickly.
FAQ
Can I rent a bike or a scooter in Paris?
Yes. You can rent bikes (classic, electric, cargo), and if you'd rather go motorized, Lokki also lists scooter and moped rentals in Paris.
How much does it cost to rent a bike in Paris?
From around €12/day for a classic bike and €25 to €40/day for an electric one at local shops, usually with discounts for several days.
Is it worth renting a bike in Paris?
Absolutely, if you're exploring for half a day or more. It's faster than walking, cheaper than taxis, and you'll see far more of the city.
Do I need a deposit?
Most shops ask for a deposit or ID, a little higher for e-bikes and cargo bikes. Nothing to worry about, and you get it back when you return the bike.
Vélib' or a rental shop, which is better?
Vélib' is great for a quick one-off hop. For half a day, a full day, a family outing or an e-bike, a local shop gives you a better bike and better value.
Where can I rent a bike near the Eiffel Tower?
Several central shops (in the 2nd, 3rd and 9th) are a short, flat ride away. Compare them here.
A quick word: who is Lokki?
Since we are mentioned a few times here, a quick note on who we are. Lokki is a platform that lets you compare and book bikes from local rental shops in Paris (and across France and Europe), with their real prices and customer reviews in one place. The shops in this guide are all Lokki partners, which is simply how we know them well enough to recommend them.
Ready to ride?
Skip the dock-hunting and the per-minute meter. Compare bike rentals from trusted local shops in Paris on Lokki. Classic, electric, cargo and kids' bikes, booked online in a couple of clicks, English spoken and free cancellation on most rentals.
Can't be bothered to search? We get it. Request a free quote and our team will find the right bike from the right local shop for you, usually within minutes. It's completely free, and honestly, we're pretty nice about it. :)
