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 in Briare on the Loire River, and ends in beautiful Moret-sur-Loing, south of Paris. 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 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 40 – 50 Km. Moret -sur Loing and Briare have good train connections to Paris.
The barge is moored in the nice small town of Briare on the Loire River. 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 town.
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 signposted Loire Velo path. A very nice start of your bike adventure in the heart of France.
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
After disembarking the Clair de Lune please take plenty of time to admire the intriguing system of locks at Rogny-les-sept-Ecluses. Today’s bike ride will lead you to Chatillon. 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.
Today’s bike ride brings you to the charming old town of Montargis. Cycling along the river Loing you will first reach the small town of Montcresson. Now we turn inland and ride over country roads 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. We continue with a beautiful route along the Ouanne river to today’s destination, Montargis.
This day leads us on country roads a bit away from the river from Montargis to Nemours, with its 12th century castle. Almost halfway you will reach the archaeological excavations of Aquae Segetae. In Roman times this was a huge complex with hot water pools and temples. It was built on an even older Celtic sanctuary. After this fascinating piece of history we 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 the stop here we ride down from the hills to Nemours on the Loing river.
On this last day of cycling you will first ride along the Loing river again. Later a short climb brings you to the Foret de Fontainebleau, with its palace and beautiful gardens. On the way you will see many old rocks and stones with surprising shapes. In Fontainebleau we reserve enough time so that you can visit these gardens before descending to our final destination, Moret-sur-Loing. This 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. Please take some time to stroll around town and see the impressive city gates, donjon and cathedral.
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 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 Briare is: Canal Lateral à la Loire , Rue du Pont Canal, Briare.
The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). By train it is about 2,5 hours to the railway station in the center of Briare. A taxi from the airport of Paris to the mooring place will take about 2,5 hours.
The nearest train station to the embarkation point of the barge is the Briare railway station. Walking distance from the train station to the barge is about 20 minutes. A taxi will take about 10 minutes and will cost around € 25,-.
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 Moret-sur-Loing on Tuesday morning after breakfast at 10 AM. You will spend the night from Monday to Tuesday on board in Moret. The mooring place of the barge in Moret: Quai du Loing.
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.
