Day 1: Paris – Bougival
Embarkation at 14:00 in the center of Paris. The Crwe will be waiting for you on board for a tour of the city center. You will get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome drink, and during dinner you will enjoy a leisurely cruise to the Parisian suburb of Bougival. A short walk after dinner is on the program here.
Day 2: Bougival – Auvers-sur-Oise, approx. 42-46 km
After breakfast, you cycle along the Seine to Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Enjoy the view of western Paris from the Grande Terrasse. Continue to Conflans. After a short stop at the bridge of Pontoise, cycle along the picturesque Chemin des Monts to the small church of Auvers, famous for Van Gogh’s paintings. Take a walk to visit the artist’s grave in the Auvers cemetery.
Day 3: Auvers-sur-Oise – Beaumont – Creil – Pont-Sainte-Maxence, approx. 43 km
After a breakfast ride to Beaumont, get on your bike and follow the course of the Oise. On the way, you will pass Royaumont Abbey, one of the best-preserved monasteries from the 13th century. You reach the enchanting village of Chantilly at lunchtime. The stables of the castle are home to the horse museum, where shows are held daily. Once you arrive in Creil, the boat will be waiting to take you to Pont-Sainte-Maxence.
Day 4: Pont-Sainte-Maxence – Compiegne, approx. 44-54 km
On today’s tour, you will pass the abbey of Moncel, which was founded by King Philip the Fair in 1309. You also cross the "Forêt deihr deCompiègne" forest. This was a popular hunting ground for French kings. On the longer tour, you will also visit the town of Pierrefond with its imposing castle. Your destination for the day, Compiègne, will enchant you with its architectural wealth and the park of the Château de Compiègne.
Day 5: Compiegne – Pont l’Eveque, approx. 42-51 km
First you cycle to l’Armistice de la Clairière, an important town during the First World War. Then continue via Tracy and the abbey of Our-champs with its picturesque ruins through hilly woodland to Noyon with its imposing cathedral. For a longer cycle tour, you can cycle to Blérancourt, where there is a charming 17th century town hall and a small palace with a flower garden.
Day 6: Pont l’Eveque – Haudival – Peronne, approx. 47-56 km
Today you travel along the Canal du Nord, which was completed in 1966 to replace the old Canal de St. Quentin. During breakfast, the boat will take you to Haudival. Today’s cycle tour takes you via the Art Deco town of Ham and further along the Somme with its picturesque villages to Peronne. Peronne impresses with its cozy market square, the church, a fort and the Musee de Grande Guerre.
Day 7: Péronne, rest day
Today the ship stays in Peronne. You have time to visit the museum, take a stroll through the town or go on a shopping tour. Dinner in a restaurant of your choice. (not included, restaurant recommendations available on board)
Day 8: Peronne – Ytres – Moevres, approx. 40-52 km
The first part of your cycle tour takes you through the Somme river valley and on to Ruyaulcourt. The Canal du Nord has two tunnels through which the boat has to pass. Once everyone is on board, the boat sails through the tunnel, above which is the watershed between the Scheldt and Somme rivers. The ship then sails back downhill towards Arleux. Your berth is on the outskirts of Moeuvres.
Day 9: Moeuvres – Cambrai – Arleux – Pont Malin, approx. 35-50 km
Today you visit Cambrai, a lively provincial town with listed buildings and a beautiful park. You then cycle along the Chantraine moorland to rural Arleux.
Day 10: Pont Malin – Denain – Doornik, approx. 47-51 km
Today the boat sails for a few hours along the Canal du Grand Gabarit, passing through the former industrial region of northern France. Old coal mines and steelworks line the canal. The cycle tour begins in Denain. You cycle through open fields and small mining towns to the Belgian border. In Belgium you cross the so-called "white country". Today’s destination is Doornik (French: Tournai), one of the oldest towns in Belgium.
Day 11: Doornik – Oudenaarde, approx. 41-43 km
The ship sails downstream across the Scheldt and you reach the Flanders region. Flemish is spoken from here on. Today’s destination is Oudenaarde. In earlier times, this small town was located on the border between the French and German empires and was therefore repeatedly the scene of war. The figure of the most famous guard, "Hanske de Krijger", stands on the dome of the magnificent town hall. Oudenaarde has also made a name for itself as a carpet weaving town.
Day 12: Oudenaarde – Ghent, approx. 45 km
Today you will pass the ruins of the old Ename Abbey, which lies directly on the Scheldt. You continue along the river towards Ghent, your destination for today. Ghent is a lively university city with a rich history. The Lakenhal, the cathedral and the town hall bear witness to its trading and textile history. In the cathedral you can see some masterpieces by medieval artists. You can take part in a tour of the city center or visit the old Gravensteen Castle.
Day 13: Ghent – Aalterburg – Bruges, approx. 34-44 km
During breakfast, the ship will take you to Aalter. There you cycle past trees and fields, small villages and castles to the country estate of Hertsberge, where you can visit an interesting agricultural museum. Early arrival in Bruges, probably the most picturesque city in Flanders, which was one of the most important European banking and art centers from the 14th to the 16th century.
Day 14: Bruges round trip, approx. 22-38 km
Today the ship stays in Bruges. The tour guide offers a shorter or longer cycle tour through the beautiful surroundings of the city. You can also spend the day in Bruges to see the city, visit a museum, go shopping or enjoy a delicious beer in one of the street cafés.
Day 15: Bruges
After breakfast: end of the trip and disembarkation by 9.30 am in Bruges.
