Day 1: Lagny-sur-Marne
Your cycling and river cruise begins in Lagny-sur-Marne on the eastern outskirts of Paris. After arriving and checking in starting at 2:00 p.m., you’ll be warmly welcomed aboard by the captain and crew. You’ll then receive an overview of the itinerary and a safety briefing for your bicycles. The afternoon is yours to adjust your bike to your liking and take a first, relaxed test ride. During the group welcome dinner on board, you’ll get in the mood for the days ahead, filled with nature, culture, and the French way of life.
Day 2: Lagny-sur-Marne – Paris, approx. 46 km
Your first stage takes you along the Marne toward Paris. On quiet paths, you’ll follow the river through the capital’s green suburbs. Along the way, you’ll pass the magnificent Château de Champs-sur-Marne, perhaps the most beautiful country castle in Île-de-France, which impressively reflects the lifestyle of the French nobility in the 18th century. As you continue, the Marne and Seine accompany you all the way to the heart of Paris, where your ship is moored in the center of the metropolis – an impressive first highlight of your journey.
Day 3: Paris – Bougival, approx. 42–54 km
In the morning, you’ll experience one of the most beautiful views of Paris: as the ship cruises leisurely along the Seine, famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower glide past you. Once you arrive in Bougival, you’ll take a circular bike tour that also takes you across the Île des Impressionnistes – the island where artists such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir once created their famous works and which has retained its special charm to this day. Many places still look exactly as they did in the Impressionist masterpieces. In the evening, you can explore Bougival, which is picturesquely situated on a bend in the Seine and is famous for its special lighting.
Day 4: Bougival – Auvers-sur-Oise, approx. 59 km
Today, you’ll cycle along the Seine first to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which offers a sweeping view of the Paris skyline. The route continues to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, where the Oise flows into the Seine, an important trading hub for centuries and still a major center for French inland waterway shipping today. Narrow alleys, small cafés, and the Church of Saint-Maclou give the town an almost village-like character that contrasts with the bustling river traffic. In the afternoon, you’ll follow the Oise to Auvers-sur-Oise, a town inextricably linked to Vincent van Gogh, who spent his final days here. In the evening, you can visit his grave.
Day 5: Auvers-sur-Oise – Pont-Sainte-Maxence, approx. 46 km
While you’re having breakfast, the ship will take you to Beaumont. From here, you’ll cycle upstream along the Oise through a peaceful, rural landscape. In the afternoon, you’ll reach the elegant Château de Chantilly, one of France’s most impressive castles. Famous for its royal stables, its equestrian tradition, and the Musée Condé with its significant art collections, Chantilly uniquely combines stately splendor with a rich history.
Your destination for the day, Pont-Sainte-Maxence, owes its name to a medieval bridge that was once one of the most important crossings between Flanders and Paris. Merchants, pilgrims, and nobles used this historic crossroads for centuries on their journeys toward the capital. Round off this eventful day with an evening stroll through the historic alleys of this picturesque little town.
Day 6: Pont-Sainte-Maxence – Compiègne, approx. 15 km
From Pont-Sainte-Maxence, you’ll cycle through a varied landscape of fields, small villages, and the foothills of the Compiègne Forest, which the French kings and emperors once used as a hunting ground and retreat. Time and again, sweeping views open up over the tranquil river landscape of the Oise, which gives this region its distinctive character. The city of Compiègne impresses with its elegant architecture and a significant royal past, which is still palpable in the cityscape today. A walk through the castle’s sprawling grounds, which exude a peaceful, almost timeless atmosphere, is particularly worthwhile. The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish. Since dinner will not be served on board tonight, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the old town and dine at one of the local restaurants in Compiègne.
Day 7: Compiègne – Soissons, approx. 37–52 km
Your final leg takes you through the expansive landscapes of northern France. Start by enjoying the ride through the famous Forest of Compiègne with its peaceful paths and shady avenues. Later, you’ll reach the fairytale-like Château de Pierrefonds, which, with its towers, battlements, and drawbridges, evokes an almost cinematic medieval atmosphere. Your destination is Soissons, one of the oldest cities in France. Under the Merovingian King Clovis, it was the capital of the Frankish Empire. In addition to the impressive Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais Cathedral, the cityscape is characterized above all by small squares, traditional markets, and cozy cafés.
Day 8: Soissons
Disembarkation after breakfast and individual departure
