Loire Valley
Saturday:
Halfway the afternoon you leave from Gare du Nord by coach to Cours-les-Barres.
You arrive in the beginning of the evening at the ship where you meet your tour
leader and the crew and settle in. Subsequently dinner will be served aboard.
Sunday: cycle trip: ± 50 km.
From Cours-les-Barres you cycle to the town of Aprémont. You may visit the 12th
century castle and its fabulous gardens. After that we cycle on to the beautiful
town of Nevers. The trip ends again in Cours-les-Barres.
Monday: cycle trip: ± 55 km.
First we sail in the morning to the village of Beffes. The cycle trip takes you
to La Charité-sur-Loire, an ancient Roman town. Crossing the 16th century stone
bridge to the centre, you have a splendid view over the town and its Notre Dame
church. Then you enter the region of the Pouilly Fumé wines. In Ménétréol,
situated under the Sancerre vineyards, you will be given the opportunity to try
some wine.
Tuesday: cycle trip: ± 50 km.
For a start you visit Sancerre and then take a picturesque route right across
the Sancerre vineyards. Your cycle ride continues and passes several wine
villages that are situated in an impressive and attractive scenery. The trip
ends in Beaulieu, the stop for the night.
Wednesday: cycle trip: ± 40 km.
By bicycle you pass the historic locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire and the aquaduct
that will take you over the river Loire later on. After St. Brisson, where you
pass a nice castle, you start your way back to the barge, while enjoying the
fresh forest air in the Fôret de St. Brisson. In the evening you cross the
river Loire through the magnificent aquaduct and stop for the night in Briare.
Thursday: cycle trip: ± 45 km.
First you have some time to explore Briare. The cycle trip first leads to the
castle ‘Pont Chevron’. Via Ouzouer-sur-Trézée you go right across an area
with some lakes to the 16th century castle near Bléneau. Your trip ends in the
village Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its seven historical locks.
Friday: cycle trip: ± 50 km.
The barge will stay in Rogny.
Today you will cycle to the market in Châtillon-Coligny, from where the trip
continues to the castle in La Bussière. Via Escrignelles the tour ends back in
Rogny.
Saturday: In the morning you may wish to go for a stroll. At approximately 11.00 hrs. your guide & crew will say good-bye and you travel by coach to Paris.
(Subject to change)
Each next tour will be in reverse: starting Rogny and ending in Cours-les-Barres.
Paris and Beyond
Sample Itinerary
Taste of Burgundy
Sample Itinerary
Saturday: Arrival in the afternoon in Dijon, the beautiful capital of Burgundy. You embark and will meet the crew of the barge and your tour leader.
Sunday: Cycle tour ± 20 Km In the morning you make a short cycling ride in the northwest Dijon region, along the Burgundy Canal and passing Lake Kir. Halfway, in the afternoon you’ll get the chance to discover the centre of Dijon by way of a special city walk.
Monday: Cycle tour ± 45 km The day starts with a short sailing trip to and through the first two locks in the Burgundy Canal. You walk back to your bike and pedal through the region along a beautiful wine trail. Today's trip ends in the village of Longecourt en Plaine.
Tuesday: Cycle tour ± 45 km Across small roads and forestries you cycle across some pretty villages to the pretty town of Auxonne at the river Saône. Later you follow the river to St. Jean de Losne where the Burgundy Canal joins the river Saône.
Wednesday: Cycle tour ± 45 km Today you start with a visit to the charming Musée de la Batellerie in St. Jean de Losne. Today's cycling trip passes the Abbaye de Citeaux. Here's a nice spot to have a picknick, at the small shop you can buy the famous abbey cheese. For a short while you will follow a trail along the river Saône. At the end of the day you arrive at the small town of Seurre.
Thursday: Cycle tour ± 25 km You start cycling to the beautiful fortified town of Beaune, also known for its many tastefull wines (Côte d’Or). Your tour leader will take you on a stroll through town and you will have time to visit for example the church ‘Collegiale Notre-Dame’, the Hôtel Dieu or the Museum of Burgundy Wines. After the visit to Beaune you go by train to Chalon sur Saône, a port town located at the Saône river and the Canal du Centre.
Friday: Cycle tour ± 60 km You leave Chalon sur Saône and hit an old railway track, now a cycle path. In Buxy you visit the local winery. The trip continues by descending to the river Saône and ends in the town of Tournus. Here you will find the beautiful St. Philibert Church, which is certainly worth a visit. The abbey, dating from the 10th century, has a beautiful architecture and is one of the oldest in France.
Saturday: End of your holiday and transfer by train to Dijon