The backyard of Paris to the Loire

This week-long bike & barge holiday begins in the beautiful town of Moret-sur-Loing, south of Paris, and ends in Briare on the Loire River. The tour offers a combination of history, culture, nature, and pleasant rides in a diverse landscape. You'll cycle through a historically significant part of France and visit the beautiful gardens (and if possible, the Palace) of Fontainebleau and the vast forest. The tour is not only historically interesting but also culturally interesting.

Highlights:

• Gardens of Fontainebleau palace
• Famous painter villages and castles in the heart of France
• Ride along the Loire River
• Sancerre and its Sancerre wines

Tour Character: Level 2

The route takes you through famous painters' villages such as Moret-sur-Loing, where Alfred Sisley lived and painted. You'll cycle primarily through gently rolling countryside with occasional steeper climbs. The average daily distance is 40 to 50 km. Moret-sur-Loing and Briare have good train connections to Paris.

Your Accomodation: 

Aboard there is a big and cozy salon with big windows for a perfect view. The barge is 34.15 meters long and 5.05 meters wide, which makes it possible to boat in France with its narrow locks. Cabin Plan: 3 double cabins (with double bed). 5 twin cabins with split level beds cabins (L-shape). 1 single cabin. All cabins are provided with: air-conditioning, private shower/toilet, sink (in cabin), central heating, 220 voltage, windows/portholes that open. Hair dryers are available on board. There is limited storage space in the cabin. We recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under the bed.

Included in the tour:

• All nights on board, 8 days / 7 nights, cabin in the booked category;
• Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x self-made picnic lunch for bike tours, 7 x three course dinner)
• Use of bed linen and 2 towels (change of towels possible)
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tour guide, cycles with the group
• Town walks with the tourguide
• Free WiFi is limited available in lounge and on deck
• Road book, 1x per cabin
• GPS tracks
• Ferry fares on the route

Not included:

• Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund (Insolvency Protection) - 5 EUR per person
• Bicycle rent
• Entrance fees to museums; approx. € 25,- per tour
• Other drinks on board (payment on board)
• Personal insurance
• Special diets (Celiac, Gluten free or lactose free) - 100 EUR per person 

If you would like to rent a Bike (125 EUR) or E-Bike (235 EUR), please contact [email protected] when booking

Notes:

• Prices are quoted for a double/twin cabin single use. Single cabins are very limited and on request only, please enquire for availability
• Please note, twin cabins are only available with split level beds. In some cases this may be the only cabin left. Please enquire for cabin availability.
• E-bikes are from a height of 5'1'' or 155cm due to safety and handling
• You are welcome to bring your own regular bike (no e-bikes)
• Please order any special diets at least 14 days before the trip to avoid a 150 EUR fee when ordered on the barge. 

Arrival/ Departure:

• You are expected at the barge on Tuesday afternoon, between 2 and 3 PM. You can bring your luggage earlier to the barge, but not before 11.30 AM. We are busy cleaning the barge, but we can provide you with suggestions to have a nice walk into town. The mooring place of the barge in Moret-Loing et Orvanne is Quai du Loing (at the Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons side).
• The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) By train it is about 2 hours to the railway station in Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons or to the railway station in Saint-Mammès. Walking distance from the train station to the barge is about 30 minutes. 
• There are two train stations near the embarkation point of the barge (about 2 km): in Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons and in Saint-Mammès. Walking distance from the train station to the barge is about 30 minutes. By taxi it is about 10 minutes.
• Should you arrive by car, we strongly advise to arrive earlier to unload your luggage. There is a car parking near both train stations
• The tour ends one week later in Briare on Tuesday morning after breakfast at 10 AM. You will spend the night from Monday to Tuesday on board in Briare. The mooring place of the barge in Briare: in the Canal Lateral á la Loire, at the Rue du Pont Canal

Slow Tours offers a range of Bike and Barge Tours France

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