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Paris to Briare 8 Day Bike and Barge Tour (Guided)
This one-week bike and barge tour starts in thriving Paris and ends in Briare on the Loire River. It offers a combination of history, culture, nature and agreeable rides in a varied countryside. You will bike in a historically very interesting part of France and will visit the palace Fontainebleau and its vast forest. The tour is not only historically, but also culturally interesting.
It leads you along famous painters’ villages like Barbizon and Moret-sur-Loing where Alfred Sisley lived and painted. Most of the time you ride through slightly sloping countryside with occasionally some steeper hills. Daily average distance of 40 – 45 Km. This is a one week tour and can easily be fitted into your other holiday plans like for instance staying on the Clair de Lune and riding further along the Loire River to Nevers. Briare has good train connections to Paris.
The lightest cycling holiday, covering largely flat terrain, suitable for everyone and people of all ages; with distances to 45 kilometers. You spend about 4 hours on your bicycle.
Your Barge was originally built in 1936 as a freight ship in Belgium. In 1982 the barge was built into a passenger ship. 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. Each cabin has; air-conditioning, private shower/toilet, sink (in cabin), central heating, 220 voltage and windows/portholes that open.
If you would like to rent a Touring Bike (100 EUR) or E-Bike (195 EUR), please contact [email protected] when booking
Slow Tours offers a range of Bike and Barge Tours Europe
Paris, Sailing to Evry
Arrival between 12 and 2 pm. Your barge will be moored near the Seine river in central Paris. Departure at 3 pm for a river cruise to and on the Seine, around the Isle de la Cité (Notre Dame) and then to Evry.
Evry - Melun 40km
Near Melun are Château Vaux-le-Vicomte, a nice example of a 17th century castle with gardens in French style and the impressive medieval castle of Blandy-les-Tours. Because of the distance today only one castle can be visited, but you can choose which one. They are near each other. We follow our way along the river, with some villages, pass patches of forest and arrive in Melun later in the afternoon.
Melun - St. Mammes 45km
This region has an impressive history. Many places witnessed historic events. Many castles near Paris were used by French kings and nobility. You will pay a visit to the to the 19th-century artists village of Barbizon, and make a nice ride through the forest of Fontainebleau to visit the immense castle. By many considered to be the most beautiful of all castles.
St. Mammes - Nemours 40km
The barge sails from St. Mammès, where the Loing and the Seine rivers meet to Nemours. The Loing is a narrow stream parallel to the canal which is called after the river. Heading for Nemours we’ll meet a number of famous rock formations in a forest region. We also visit Moret-sur-Loing wich is famous for the painter Alfred Sisley who lived and painted there at the end of the 19th century.
Nemours - Neronville 42km
This day leads us on country roads from Nemours to Néronville, a small village along the Loing. Highlights are the covered market of Egreville and the musuem on prehistoric times in Nemours.
Neronville - Montargis 40km
We leave Néronville via the small town of Château- Landon on a hilltop, and bike via Dordives (glass museum) and Ferrières (abbey) to the charming old town of Montargis.
Montargis - Briare 55km
Your last bike ride this week will lead you to the village Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its historical seven locks. Via the 16th-century castle near Bléneau you will cycle through a region of lakes to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée and eventually to Briare. A long riding day and a worthy ending of your bike adventure in the heart of France.
Briare
End of the tour after breakfast, before 10 AM.
Tours marked with are special prices.
| Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27 2023 | Jun 03 2023 | 17 | Single rooms | 1,420€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,350€ |
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
Shows in English in Paris: Paris offers a wide variety of shows accessible to English-speakers. One-man shows, classic & modern theatre, musicals, cabarets and more are all performed in the city every night. You can get the full programme of shows in Paris to fit your city break dates by emailing [email protected]
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