Day 6 - Castles, Forests and Simple Joys

After five days on the road, Day 6 felt a bit easier.

We set off from Chaussy towards Maisons-Laffitte, where we would spend the night at our campsite. The distance was shorter than previous days at 52 km (32.3 miles), but the heat certainly wasn’t. Once again, the sun was relentless, and many of the trails were completely exposed, making regular stops for water, snacks, and shade essential.

We cycled along a mix of gravel tracks and quiet paved roads, passing elegant French castles, picturesque villages, and more incredible pâtisseries than we could count. Every village seemed to have its own charm, inviting us to slow down and enjoy the moment.

The day wasn’t without its challenges. A few steep climbs reminded us that we were still earning every kilometre, but they were rewarded with some fantastic descents that made all the effort worthwhile. The smiles were definitely bigger on the way down than on the way up!

One memorable stop came where the River Seine meets the River Oise, a beautiful spot that seemed made for a photograph and a chance to appreciate how far we had already travelled.

As we got closer to Maisons-Laffitte, the landscape changed again. We entered long forest trails that provided some welcome shade from the heat and a completely different atmosphere from the open countryside. Somewhere along the way, Teresa decided it was the perfect moment to stop and practice a few handstands. After all, why simply ride across France when you can add a bit of gymnastics too?

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We also stopped briefly at the magnificent Château de Maisons-Laffitte, another reminder of the incredible places this journey has taken us through.

The perfect ending to a hot day came at the campsite swimming pool. After hours under the sun, jumping into cool water felt like a luxury. It was exactly what we needed to relax, recover, and prepare for the final stretch towards Paris.

Overall, Day 6 felt surprisingly easy. There was no rush. We simply enjoyed the little moments that make an adventure special: stopping at a charming café, sharing a pastry, chatting with friendly locals, and seeing their reactions when they discovered that Teresa, just 10 years old, was cycling all the way from London to Paris.

Those conversations have become one of the unexpected highlights of this journey. People are often amazed by the challenge, but what stays with us most is their kindness and encouragement.