On this 8-day premium E-bike and boat tour, you’ll discover Paris and the beautiful river regions just beyond the city: a world of elegant châteaux, quiet forests, historic towns, riverside cafés, and landscapes once painted by the Impressionists.
Traveling by E-bike and boat gives you the best of both worlds: active days in the fresh air, followed by relaxed evenings on board your floating hotel.
The route follows the waterways of Northern France, through a region rich in beauty, art, and history. You’ll visit grand French landmarks such as the Château de Chantilly, the storybook Château de Pierrefonds, and the graceful Château de Champs-sur-Marne. You’ll also spend time in places closely connected to beloved artists, including Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh spent his final days, and the Île des Impressionnistes, which inspired painters such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
And then there is Paris. Elegant, iconic, and endlessly fascinating, the French capital is one of the great highlights of this journey. Whether you choose to explore by bike, stroll along the Seine, enjoy dinner in a classic brasserie, or simply soak up the city’s atmosphere, Paris adds a memorable touch of romance and sophistication to the tour.
Throughout the week, the experience is designed to feel effortless. Your ship carries you from place to place, your guide brings the region to life, and each day offers a comfortable balance of activity, culture, scenery, and downtime. It’s France at an easygoing pace — with just the right amount of adventure.
Comfort, culture, and time to enjoy it all
This journey brings together many of the pleasures people dream of when they imagine France: Paris, châteaux, riverside towns, café terraces, art, history, and beautiful countryside. What makes it special is the pace. You are not rushing from one landmark to the next. You travel slowly, comfortably, and with time to take in the places around you.
Throughout the week, the experience is designed to feel effortless. Your ship carries you from place to place, your guide brings the region to life, and each day offers a comfortable balance of activity, culture, scenery, and downtime. The boutique-style ship experience with a maximum of 24 guests adds a personal touch, with a welcoming atmosphere on board, easy interaction with fellow travelers, and the feeling of discovering France at a more intimate pace. It’s France at an easygoing rhythm, with just the right amount of adventure.
The ship – Your floating hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like.
Your journey begins in Soissons, a historic town on the Aisne River. Embarkation starts at 2:00 PM, followed by a warm welcome from the captain and crew. You’ll receive an introduction to the ship, the itinerary, and your e-bike, with time for bike fitting and a relaxed first test ride.
Soissons is one of the oldest towns in France and offers an atmospheric beginning to the tour. Its cathedral, small squares, local markets, and cafés give you an immediate taste of French town life.
In the evening, enjoy your first dinner on board and settle into the rhythm of the week ahead: relaxed cruising, scenic cycling, and effortless discovery.
Your first full cycling day leads through the open countryside of Northern France, passing small villages, fields, and peaceful rural scenery.
One of the day’s highlights is the fairytale-like Château de Pierrefonds, with its towers, battlements, and drawbridges. It feels like the kind of castle many travelers imagine when they picture historic France. From there, the route continues toward Compiègne, with a beautiful final stretch through the Forest of Compiègne.
Today’s ride is short and relaxed, following the Oise River through the southern part of the Forest of Compiègne. This area was once used by French kings and emperors as a hunting ground, and the quiet forest paths still create a sense of elegance and calm.
Your destination is Pont-Sainte-Maxence, a small historic town named after a medieval bridge that was once an important crossing on the route between Flanders and Paris. In the evening, enjoy a gentle stroll through the old streets before returning to the ship.
While you enjoy breakfast, the ship brings you to Creil, where today’s cycling begins. From there, you ride to one of the great highlights of the tour: the Château de Chantilly.
Known for its refined architecture, royal stables, equestrian heritage, and important art collections, Chantilly offers the kind of grand French setting that makes this journey feel special. After your visit, continue through peaceful forest scenery.
Depending on the route, you either rejoin the ship in Beaumont or continue to Auvers-sur-Oise, forever linked with Vincent van Gogh. This is where the artist spent his final days, and in the evening you may wish to walk to his grave — a moving moment for anyone who loves art and history.
Today’s ride brings you closer to Paris, while still following the quiet river landscapes.
Around midday, you reach Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, where the Oise meets the Seine. The town has long been connected to inland shipping and its narrow streets, cafés, and church give it a warm, local character.
In the afternoon, continue to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where you can enjoy a beautiful view toward the Paris skyline. From there, the route follows the Seine to Bougival, a riverside town loved by Impressionist painters for its light, river views, and relaxed atmosphere.
Today is all about Paris and its elegant western surroundings.
You can either explore the city independently using public transportation or join the guided bike ride through the suburbs west of Paris. The cycling route includes the Île des Impressionnistes, where artists such as Monet and Renoir found inspiration. It is a beautiful way to connect the art you may know from museums with the real landscapes that inspired it.
By evening, Paris is yours to enjoy. Dinner is on your own tonight. A wonderful opportunity to choose a neighborhood bistro, a classic brasserie, or a restaurant near the Seine.
Your final cycling stage leads out of Paris along the Marne River. The route follows quieter paths through green suburbs and riverside scenery.
Along the way, you pass the elegant Château de Champs-sur-Marne, one of the most beautiful country estates in the region. Its furnished salons and formal gardens offer a glimpse into the refined lifestyle of the French aristocracy in the 18th century.
The day ends in Lagny-sur-Marne, a charming town on the eastern edge of Paris — a fitting finale to a journey shaped by art, history, rivers, and French elegance.
After breakfast, your bike and boat tour comes to an end.
You leave with a collection of lasting impressions: Paris from the water, quiet cycling routes along French rivers, grand châteaux, Impressionist landscapes, small-town cafés, and the pleasure of experiencing France at a relaxed and comfortable pace.
| Cabins 2027 | Oct 21 | Aug 12/ Oct 7 | Sept 23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin cabin | € 1.919,- | € 1.979,- | € 2.329,- |
| Twin cabin for single use | € 2.878,50 | € 2.968,50 | € 3.493,50 |
Twin cabins with two separate single beds
Twin cabins with two separate single beds (7 m² – 75 sq.ft) include a shower, toilet, basin, ventilation, central heating, air-conditioning, minisafe, and hair dryer. Due to safety, the windows cannot be opened.
Twin cabins with a double bed
The twin cabins with a double beds (6 m² – 65 sq.ft.) include a include a shower, toilet, basin, ventilation, central heating, air-conditioning, minisafe, and hair dryer. The windows are openable.
Twin cabins with a double bed (Also for single use)
The twin cabins with a double beds (6 m² – 65 sq.ft.) include a include a shower, toilet, basin, ventilation, central heating, air-conditioning, minisafe, and hair dryer. The windows are openable.
2027:
Transfer between Paris and:
Claire d´Etoile
24 guests max
24 beds
Private charter on request
Interested in this tour? Tell us your preferred dates, cabins, and bikes, and we’ll confirm real availability with the barge.
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