Cycling in the royal garden of France
Distance: 40-60 km average per day. Altitude: 100-500 hm average per day. Not too steep and not too long slopes on not very difficult terrain.
This one-week bike and barge tour starts in beautiful Moret-sur-Loing, south of Paris, and ends in Briare on the Loire River. It offers a combination of history, culture, nature and agreeable rides in a varied countryside. You will bike in a historically very interesting part of France and will visit the palace Fontainebleau and its vast forest. The tour is not only historically, but also culturally interesting.
It leads you along famous painters’ villages like Barbizon and Moret-sur-Loing where Alfred Sisley lived and painted. Most of the time you ride through slightly sloping countryside with occasionally some steeper hills.
Daily average distance of 50 km. Moret -sur Loing and Briare have good train connections to Paris.
The barge is moored in Moret-sur-Loing, near Paris. Moret-sur-Loing is a small medieval town and is famous for the impressionist painter Alfred Sisley who lived and painted there at the end of the 19th century. You are expected to arrive at our barge on Tuesday between 2 PM and 3 PM. When you arrive on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the tour leader, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers. During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the global planning of the week are discussed. Instructions on cycling and safely procedures will also be given. After dinner the tour leader will escort you on the first kilometres on your bike during a short ride around the village.
If you have not done so yesterday, please take some time early this morning to stroll around town and see the impressive city gates, donjon and cathedral. Our first real bike ride this week will lead us via the gardens and palace of Fontainebleau to the lively town of Nemours with its 12th century Castle. In Fontainebleau we reserve enough time so that you can visit these gardens. On the ride through the Foret de Fontainebleau you will see many old rocks and stones with surprising shapes. After Fontainebleau we return to the Loing river and have a leisurely ride to our destination Nemours, where the Clair de Lune is waiting for us.
This day leads us on country roads a bit away from the river from Nemours to the charming old town of Montargis. Almost halfway you will reach the small town of Château- Landon on a hill top overlooking the river and the Loing Canal. A perfect spot for a lunch stop. .After a stop here we visit the archaeological excavations of Aquae Segetae. In Roman times this was a huge complex with hot water pools and temples. It was build on an even older Celtic sanctuary. After this fascinating piece of history we ride down from the hills again to Montargis on the Loing river
Todays bike ride begins with a beautiful route to Chateau Renard, with its medieval castle where even Jeanne d`Arc stayed for two nights. Chateau Renard has many charming streets and Tudor style houses and is a nice stop for coffee or lunch. After this nice stop we ride over country roads to Montcresson on the Loing and along the river to todays destination Chatillon Coligny on the Briare Canal.
Today’s bike ride will lead you to the village Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its historical seven locks. Along the way you ride inland through a varied landscape and small villages. Not a lot of places for a coffee or lunch break unfortunately but plenty of scenic spots to eat your packed lunch.
Before boarding the Clair de Lune again please take plenty of time to admire the intriguing system of locks at Rogny-les-sept-Ecluses.
After breakfast you will get on your bike for the stage to Briare on the Loire river. At first you ride cycle through a region of lakes named Ouzouer-sur-Trézée before arriving at the 17th-century castle of Bussiere. After a visits and lunch you descend to the somewhat larger town of Gien on the Loire river. Of course also this small town has its castle that dominates the cityscape. Cycling along the Loire you will eventually reach your final destination: Briare. Take some time to visit the famous and magnificent aqueduct over the Loire River in Briare. Briare used to house many ceramics work and you might want to vists the so called “Tile Hill”where old disused ceramics were dumped.
To visit the town of Sancerre, home of the famous white wine, we take our bikes in the train. In town you can visit the Maison de Sancerre where you are given the full story of the different sorts of Sancerre wines. After this fascinating visit you cycle back to Briare along a beautiful route via the signpost Loire Velo path. A worthy ending of your bike adventure in the heart of France.
The tour ends after breakfast: debarkation before 10 AM.
Our carefully selected routes will lead you along the most beautiful spots of the country. The average daily distance is around 50 kilometers. Most participants prefer riding in a group with the cycling guide, but you can also ride individually. A road book is included (1x per cabin). Gps-tracks can be provided by e-mail.
1 km= 0,62 miles
All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.
You are expected at the barge on Tuesday afternoon, between 2 and 3 PM. You can bring your luggage earlier to the barge, but not before 11.30 AM. We are busy cleaning the barge, but we can provide you with suggestions to have a nice walk into town.
The mooring place of the barge in Moret-Loing et Orvanne is Quai du Loing (at the Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons side).
The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) By train it is about 2 hours to the railway station in Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons or to the railway station in Saint-Mammès. Walking distance from the train station to the barge is about 30 minutes.
There are two train stations near the embarkation point of the barge (about 2 km): in Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons and in Saint-Mammès. Walking distance from the train station to the barge is about 30 minutes.
By taxi it is about 10 minutes.
Should you arrive by car, we strongly advise to arrive earlier to unload your luggage. There is a car parking near both train stations
The tour ends one week later in Briare on Tuesday morning after breakfast at 10 AM. You will spend the night from Monday to Tuesday on board in Briare. The mooring place of the barge in Briare: in the Canal Lateral á la Loire, at the Rue du Pont Canal
On this tour the following barge is scheduled
Rental bikes on this tour.
Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.
Free WiFi is (limited) available in lounge and on deck.
Most cabins are 2-person cabins (twin or double beds), but some barges also have single and triple cabins. All cabins have central heating and a porthole or window; they are provided with running water (hot and cold), private shower/toilet and 220 voltage. Some barges have airconditioning. There is limited storage space in the cabin. We recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under the bed.
The captain/skipper, the chef and your tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The skipper is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the cook is in charge of the catering. A tour leader accompanies you during the bike ride and can assist in case of breakdowns. He/She will be your guide to point out the things of interest along the way and is multi-lingual (Dutch/English, some speak German and/or French).
Your chef is used to cook delicious meals for hungry cyclists. Besides an extensive breakfast, you will also be offered a packed lunch for on the road. It consists of different types of bread and sandwich fillings, juice, a snack and a piece of fruit. Lunch package needs to be prepared by yourself after breakfast. Dinner is different every day. There is a first course, main course and dessert The meals on board are included in the price, as are coffee and tea. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks can be obtained at a reasonable charge. When you return on board after the day’s cycling, a cup of tea or coffee with a biscuit will be waiting for you.
If you have special meal requirements we ask you to mention this when booking, but at the latest until 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus.
In case of Celiac; gluten free diet; lactose free diet; vegan meals there is an additional charge.
One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board, including people from e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, France and United Kingdom. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! We have people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and also families with children (during the school holidays). Most groups are made up of 17 people.
