Picturesque North Burgundy by Bike + Boat

Enjoy the Art and culture of this area

map Northern Burgundy by Bike + Boat

Route

Tour Profile / Level 2

These holidays are appropriate for anyone with good physical condition and basic cycling skills. Distances up to 50 kilometers per day. You spend about 5 hours on your bicycle. Short slopes with heights up to 100 meters.

Itinerary Auxerre – Moret-sur-Loing

Day 1: Auxerre
Embarkation and check-in at 2 pm. After the welcome by the captain, crew and tour guide, the bikes will be assigned. After dinner on board you can stroll through Auxerre, probably the most beautiful city on this trip. Many church spires dominate the city panorama and the streets are lined with 16th century half-timbered houses. A magnificent sight is the Saint-Étienne Cathedral, a true masterpiece of Gothic art.

Day 2: Auxerre round trip, approx. 30 - 44 km
Today you have several options. If you want to relax, stay in Auxerre and take a discovery tour of this beautiful city with the Abbey of St. Germain, the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne and the Bell Tower. Do you feel like a first bike tour? Then you can explore the surroundings of Auxerre with your guide. Ride along the Yonne River and visit the "Caves de Bailly" vineyard, known for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and the dramatic entrance to the quaint caves beneath the limestone slopes. St. Bris and Irancy, also famous wine-growing areas, are on the hills nearby. You can also admire the paintings of George Hosott, a well-known painter in France, at the Chapelle de Bailly. Just stroll down the small street by the church and enjoy the view of the lush countryside in this region.

Day 3: Auxerre – Joigny, approx. 28 - 43 km
Your bike tour will take you in a northerly direction through the valley of the Yonne. On the longer bike tour you will later leave the valley and cycle through the charming landscape to Brienon-sur-Armencon. From there you cycle along the beautiful Canal de Bourgogne. Finally, you will reach Migennes. The former center of the shipping industry is located where the Canal de Bourgogne and the Yonne meet. Near Migennes, the ship awaits you for an afternoon cruise to Joigny. This picturesque town can look back on a long and successful wine-growing history. Here you can expect historical monuments, old churches and unique, 16th-17th century townhouses decorated with carved Renaissance facades.

Day 4: Joigny – Villeneuve sur Yonne, approx. 23 - 46 km.
Today’s bike tour starts with a round through the surrounding vineyards. The guide will show you some places where you can taste the noble Burgundy wines. Around noon you will be back in Joigny. For lunch you will return to Joigny and in the afternoon you will cycle to Saint-Julien-du-Sault. Your day ends in the lovely town of Villeneuve on the banks of the Yonne, still untouched by tourism. In this beautiful town you will discover medieval gate towers and many romantic gardens.

Day 5: Villeneuve sur Yonne – Sens, approx. 28 - 52 km
From Villeneuve there are again 2 cycling options. The shorter route stays closer to the river, while the longer one takes you through the hills to the museum "Musée de la Pomme et du Cidre". Try the delicious cider that is produced here! Near Sens, your destination today, you will find the beautiful Parc du Moulin a Tan. Sens is one of the oldest towns in France. You’ll have time to shop, stroll through the local market hall, or walk around town. There is no dinner on board today so you can enjoy one of Sens’ many restaurants.

Day 6: Sens – Pont sur Yonne, approx. 20 - 42 km
Before heading out, we will spend some time in Sens, where you will visit the first of France’s great Gothic cathedrals, Saint-Etienne Cathedral, with a local guide. Today you will again have the option of following the river valley on a shorter bike ride or taking a longer tour through the beautiful valley of the Oreuse, a truly fantastic bike ride. If you choose the short option, you can spend some more time in Sens before starting your bike tour. Your destination today is the friendly, riverside town of Pont-sur-Yonne.

Day 7: Pont sur Yonne – Montereau – Moret, approx. 33 km - 40 km
On your last day of cycling, you will take the road to Montereau-fault-Yonne. This town is located at the point where the Yonne flows into the Seine. Here, the collegiate church of Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Loup, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, is worth a visit. Reboard at Montereau for a dinner cruise to your final destination, Moret-sur-Loin. In this charming medieval fortified town, strategically located on the banks of the Loing River, the painter Sisley found inspiration for his beautiful Impressionist paintings.

Day 8: Moret-sur-Loing
Departure after breakfast, disembarkation by 9.30 am.

Itinerary Moret-sur-Loing – Auxerre

Day 1: Moret sur Loing
Embarkation and check-in at 14:00. After welcome by captain, crew and tour guide, bikes will be assigned. After dinner, you can stroll through Moret-sur-Loing. In this charming medieval fortified town, strategically located on the banks of the Loing River, the painter Sisley found inspiration for his beautiful impressionist paintings.

Day 2: Moret – Montereau – Pont sur Yonne, approx. 37 - 41 km
Breakfast during the cruise. Your first day of cycling starts in Montereau-fault-Yonne. This town is located at the point where the Yonne flows into the Seine. From Montereau, you’ll bike to Montmachoux, where you’ll visit an ostrich farm. Destination for today is Pont-sur-Yonne, a picturesque, friendly town where we will moor for the night.

Day 3: Pont sur Yonne – Sens, approx. 20 - 42 km
Today you can ride through the river valley to Sens or take a longer tour of the countryside, visiting a beekeeper. Sens is one of the oldest towns in France. Here, a guided tour of Saint-Etienne Cathedral is on the agenda. You’ll also have time for shopping, a stroll through the local market hall, or a walk through town. On the outskirts of the city is the Parc du Moulin a Tan. This 10-hectare park, through which the Vanne and Lingue rivers flow, is part of the green belt that stretches all around Sens. Numerous water birds live here and there is a rose garden, an arboretum, an animal enclosure and a playground.

Day 4: Sens – Villeneuve sur Yonne, approx. 28 - 52 km
From Sens, there are again 2 cycling options. The shorter route stays closer to the river, while the longer one takes you through the hills to the museum "Musée de la Pomme et du Cidre". Try the delicious cider that is produced here! Our day ends in Villeneuve. This beautiful town on the banks of the Yonne is still untouched by mass tourism. Here you can see medieval gate towers and numerous romantic gardens.

Day 5: Villeneuve sur Yonne – Joigny, approx. 23 - 47 km
Today your bike tour takes you to the beautiful town of Saint-Julien-du-Sault. Worth a visit is the church of Saint-Pierre, founded in the 13th century, with its beautiful stained glass windows. Then it’s on to Joigny, from where you’ll take an afternoon ride through the surrounding vineyards. The guide will show you some places where you can taste the fine Burgundy wines. The picturesque town of Joigny can look back on a long and successful wine-growing history.

Day 6: Joigny – Auxerre, approx. 28 - 44 km
During breakfast, the ship departs for Migennes, a former center of the shipbuilding industry on the Canal de Bourgogne. From here you cycle along the beautiful Canal de Bourgogne and then further south to Auxerre. Many church spires dominate the city’s panorama and the streets are lined with 16th century half-timbered houses. You will have time to visit Saint-Etienne Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art. Also take a stroll along the old harbor or visit the 15th-century bell tower. No dinner is scheduled on board today so you can try one of Auxerre’s many fine restaurants.

Day 7: Auxerre, approx. 30 - 42 km
Again today you have several options to choose from. If you want to relax or explore Auxerre a bit more, there is plenty of time to explore. If you can’t get enough of cycling, explore the Auxerre area with your guide. Ride along the Yonne River and visit the "Caves de Bailly" vineyard, known for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and dramatic entrance into the quaint caves beneath the limestone slopes. St. Bris and Irancy, also famous wine-growing areas, are on the hills nearby. You can also admire the paintings of George Hosott, a well-known painter in France, at the Chapelle de Bailly. Just stroll down the small street by the church and enjoy the view of the lush countryside in this region.

Day 8: Auxerre
Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 am.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Due to varying wind and weather conditions, as well as organizational necessities, we reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary.

Please keep in mind that the ship is both your hotel and a machine that needs to be maintained and operated - both during the day and at night. Operational noise is therefore unavoidable.

Services

  • 7 nights in cabins with shower and toilet, air-conditioned cabin

  • Full board (7x breakfast buffet, packed lunches, 6x dinner - no dinner in Sens or Auxerre) 

  • Coffee & tea on board

  • Welcome drink

  • Use of bed linen and towels

  • Daily cabin cleaning

  • All port & lock fees

  • Bike tour guide (from 18 guests: 2 guides, 2 groups)

  • Daily route briefing

  • Entrance fee beekeeping museum

  • Entrance fee Sens Cathedral

  • Wine tasting in Bailly

  • Detailed maps and information material per cabin

  • GPS tracks

  • Rental helmet

  • Rental pannier

  • WIFI

  • For the environment’s benefit:
    1 biodegradable water bottle.
    The CO² emitted during this trip will be compensated by the NGO Justdiggit.

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Bicycles & Equipment
    11-/21-speed 100
    E-bike 250
    Rental helmet included

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Ship

    Welcome on board!

    For this tour, the passenger ships MS Fleur and MS Clair d'Etoile are used, which enchant their guests with an inviting atmosphere.


    MS FLEUR

    The Fleur started cruising in  2002. This small, yet very tasteful passenger barge with its sleek lines has ten comfortable guest cabins with two seperate beds. Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin, central heating and air-conditioning; windows are fixed for safety reasons. On the upper deck , there is a lounge with large windows, a roomy sitting area, a cozy bar and a half-covered sun deck. >>more


    MS CLAIR D'ETOILE

    The Clair d'Etoile (formerly named Zwaantje) is a comfortable passenger barge.  The owners have restyled the interior in winter 2014-2015 and have created a warm and cozy atmosphere. On the lower deck, the Zwaantje has twelve comfortable guest cabins. Ten  twins (7m²)  and 2 doubles (6m²). All cabins have ventilation, air- conditioning  and a window. Only the windows in the double cabins can be opened. >>more

     

    Bicycle

    Rental-Bicycles & equipment

    The bicycles on board are 11-speed or 21-speed touring bicycles with hand brakes. The bikes are equipped with a pannier and a water bottle holder. Helmets can be rented free of charge on board.


    Electric bikes | E-Bikes | Pedelecs

    On some barges we offer modern quality-electrically assisted e-bikes (Pedelecs) with 7 or 8-gear-hub circuit, gradual selectable help of pedaling power and deep UNISEX-comfot-entrance. The bikes are equipped with a powerful Panasonic or Bosch-Pedelec-Engine and a powerful Lithium-Ion-Battery, one battery-charge is sufficient for up to 65 kilometers. The range of the battery is depending on supportlevel, riding manners, body weight and terrain. In a more hilly terrain or with a higher bodyweight there is more batterycapacity used then in flat areas or with a low bodyweight. You can save battery, when you start with most possible low support and increase only if needed. The batteries are supposed to be charged overnight with the provided battery charger.

    IMPORTANT: book E-bikes early, because of limited capacity!


    Bicycle breakdowns

    Breakdowns can happen, also when bikes are well serviced and maintained. Flats can be fixed by yourself. If there’s a difficult repair you may ask your guide on spot.

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Paris / Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris / Orly (ORY)
    Flights can be booked individually. For details see "arrival by train" or in your final travel documents.


    Arrival by train

    Moret-sur-Loing
    There is a continuous train service between Paris (Gare de Lyon) and Moret. Trains depart regularly and the trip takes approx. 45 min. From the Gare de Lyon in Paris, a bus service is available every 30 minutes, Le Bus Direct nr. 4 (shuttle) to the airport Charles de Gaulle, which will bring you there in approx. 50 minutes.

    Auxerre
    There is a continuous train service between Paris (Gare de Bercy) and Auxerre. Trains depart regularly and the trip takes approx. 2 hours. From the Gare de Lyon (close to Bercy) in Paris, a bus service is available every 30 minutes, Le Bus Direct nr. 4 (shuttle) to the airport Charles de Gaulle, which will bring you there in approx. 50 minutes.

    Current train connections and prices you will find >>here


    Arrival by car

    Parking in Moret-sur-Loing or Auxerre: Details will follow and the final details you will find in your travel documents.


    Additional information

    For space reasons we would like to ask you to refrain from using luggage with a hard shell, the storage space in the cabin is very limited!

    Bringing of own bikes is not permitted due to limited space!

    Videos

    Travel stories

    4,0 of 6 Stars | 1
    4,5 17.09.2024 | Richard P. Picturesque North Burgundy by Bike + Boat

    Burgundy in Autumn

    Everything organized by Rad&Reisen was excellent. We were kept well informed and our paperwork was efficiently handled, as was the case with our many previous trips. Our only complaint as regards the barge was that the barge cabins were all below deck ...
    • Overall satisfaction 3
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 3
    • Board 2
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 4
    • Route-character 5
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 3
    more
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