Hi all, I’m doing a ride across Spain and part of France in May. I plan to finish in Paris. I have a flight out of Paris CDG on June 3rd. Need to decide how and where to box up my bike for the flight. Does anyone have experience of this ie is it better to box near the airport or at the airport? I will need to source a box.

Do you know where you’ll be staying in Paris?
If you’re able to carry all your gear and a boxed bike short distances, the B line Metro goes to CDG.

I’ve only ever searched for a bike box once in Paris close to the Montmatre area. There were a fair number of small shops. They cut up the boxes immediately to save on shop space. One shop told me they got bike deliveries early in the morning. Check opening times as shops in France may be closed on mondays.

Maybe send some emails out a week or so before you get to Paris to shops close to where you’re staying.

I’d advise staying an extra night to give yourself a whole day to find a box.

p.s my favourite thing to do in Paris is get up really early and wander the small streets as they are cleaned and the pidgeons rule! When you find a bakery, fresh parisian baguette is the best in France and by extension, the whole world.

I would caution about doing anything at CDG that doesn't allow a LOT of time. I would also not try to box it at CDG either.

Oops. I thought this was a sporting event

It is, that’s what the baggage handlers do! 🧐

I would seek a box at one of the huge retailers in Paris like Decathlon stores. google: "decathlon magasin paris" for locations.

Decathlon typically crush their boxes as soon as they are unpacked. They have their own cardboard compressor.
I’m not saying ”don’t try” but it’s not a guaranteed go-to place. That said, it has worked for me on occasion.

It can be good to know the absolute minimum box dimensions you can get your bike into (i.e even taking both wheels and racks off).

The Air France counter at Charles de Gaulle Airport usually has cardboard bike boxes. You should always phone ahead to check/reserve. They are also available via Air France (and other airlines) at other airports – it's best to just phone your airline's desk at the relevant airport in advance.

https://www.freewheelingfrance.com/p...to-france.html