Paris, Fontainebleau – Versailles Guided Bike & Barge Trip

Moret, short bike ride, 10 km

The barge is moored in Moret-sur-Loing. You are expected to arrive at our barge between 1 PM and 2 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 are also provided on cycling and safety procedures. After dinner the tour leader will escort you on the first kilometers on your bike during a short ride around the village.

Moret – Melun, 45 km

Our first real bike ride this week takes us via the gardens and palace of Fontainebleau to the lively town of Melun. In Fontainebleau we reserve enough time for you to visit the gardens and palace. During the ride through the Forêt de Fontainebleau you will see many old rocks and stones with surprising shapes. On the way from Fontainbleau to Melun we pass the beautiful village of Barbizon, famous for the many painters who stayed there at the end of the 19th century. In Melun we cycle along all the highlights such as the botanic gardens, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, the City Hall and the Eglise St Aspais. In the evening you can stroll through the streets of this nice town.

Melun – Vigneux, 50 km

Today we follow the Seine river for the most part. First a nice and easy ride to Corbeil-Essonnes where you can have a coffee on one of the many terraces. In the second part of the tour you ride through the beautiful Forêt de Senart. Later this day you arrive in Vigneux-sur-Seine where the barge is moored.

Vigneux — Paris, 0 km

Today is cruise day! As it is very busy and difficult to cycle into Paris from the south, we offer you the opportunity to stay on board and enjoy a relaxing cruise to the City of Light, Paris. The barge will dock at the centrally located Bassin de la Villette around 13.00 hrs/1 PM. So there is plenty of time to visit Paris this afternoon and evening. Today we will not have dinner on board and you can enjoy the pleasure of dining out in Paris.

Paris — Bougival, 40 km

Right after breakfast you will hop on your bike and start the day with a cycling tour through Paris. We take it easy and ride as much as possible on separate bike paths and quiet roads. We pass La Défense, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Bois de Boulogne. Riding along the Seine we reach Bougival where our barge is moored. In the evening the guide takes you on a nice walk around Bougival.

Bougival — Conflans, 45 km

Today you will visit the Royal Palaces and gardens of Versailles. We cycle around 10 kilometres from Bougival and you will have the whole morning and part of the early afternoon to wander around the palaces and gardens. On the way to Conflans we will ride past the castle in Saint Germain-en-Laye and later through the forest of Saint Germain.

Conflans – Auvers, 30 km

We conclude this week of cycling around and in Paris with a very nice and short ride to Auvers-sur-Oise. On the way to Auvers we will visit the gigantic work of art known as the Axe Majeur where you also have a stunning view on Paris and La Défense. Upon arrival in Auvers the guide will take you on an interesting walk through the city and to the graves of Vincent van Gogh and his beloved brother Theo.

Auvers end of the tour after breakfast.

Disembarkation before 10 AM

The program is subject to change without notice due to weather, nautical reasons like bridges and locks, technical issues and other unforeseen circumstances. We reserve the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure.