This one-week bike and barge tour starts 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 beautiful gardens (and if possible, the Palace) of Fontainebleau and its vast forest.
The tour is not only historically, but also culturally interesting. The route takes you through famous painters' villages such as Moret-sur-Loing, where Alfred Sisley lived and painted. You'll cycle primarily through gently rolling countryside with occasional steeper climbs.
The average daily distance is 40 to 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.
After breakfast you will get on your bike for the stage to the village Rogny-les-
Sept-Écluses, known for its historical seven locks. But first 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 visit the so called
“Tile Hill”where old disused ceramics were dumped. Cycling along the Loire you
will reach the somewhat larger town of Gien. Of course, also this small town has
its castle that dominates the cityscape. After this nice coffee stop the tour
continues to the 17th-century castle of Bussiere where you can have lunch. Later
on you ride cycle through a region of lakes named Ouzouer-sur-Trézée before
arriving at Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses,
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 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 motorised passenger vessels, about 35 - 45 metres in length, are former river vessels especially converted for this kind of holiday. The barges all comply with the strict safety regulations laid down by the Dutch Shipping Inspection Authorities. On board you find a cosy dining room, a sun deck/a deck for the bicycles. All cabins are provided with running water (hot and cold), private shower and toilet, 220 voltage and central heating. There is limited storage space in the cabin. We recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under the bed.
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.
What’s included
Not included
| Cabins | 3 Aug | 28 Sept | 17 Aug, 14 Sept | 31 Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double/Twin cabin | € 1.435,- | € 1.635,- | € 1.795,- | € 1.950,- |
| Twin cabin split level beds | € 1.435,- | € 1.635,- | € 1.795,- | € 1.950,- |
| Single cabin | € 1.495,- | € 1.695,- | € 1.815,- | € 2.035,- |
| Twin for single use | € 2.080,- | € 2.355,- | € 2.590,- | € 2.825,- |
Clair de Lune
17 guests max
17 beds
35 x 5 m
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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