Versailles to Fontainebleau Guided Bike & Barge Trip

Auvers, short bike ride, 10 km

The barge is moored in Auvers-sur-Oise. You are expected to arrive at our barge on 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.

Auvers – Conflans, 30 km

Our first real bike ride this week around Paris will lead us to the town of Conflans on the Seine. Before we start, your guide will take you on an interesting walk through the town and to the graves of Vincent van Gogh and his beloved brother Theo. On the way to Conflans, we will visit also the gigantic work of art known as the Axe Majeur where you will also have your first and stunning view of Paris and La Défense.

Conflans – Bougival, 45 km

Today you will visit the Royal Palaces and gardens of Versailles. On the way to Versailles we will pass the castle in Saint Germain-en-Laye and later through the forest of Saint Germain. Around lunchtime we will arrive in Versailles and you will have the whole afternoon to wander around the palaces and gardens. After this spectacular visit it is only a 10 kilometer bike ride to Bougival where the Clair de Lune is moored. In the evening the guide will take you on a guided walk through the town.

Bougival — Paris, 40 km

Right after breakfast you will hop on your bike and start the day with a bike ride to and through Paris. We will take it easy and ride as much as possible on separate bike paths and roads with little traffic. First you ride along the Seine, later we will pass La Défense, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Bois de Boulogne. Later in the afternoon we will reach Bassin de la Villette where our barge is moored. Today we will not have dinner on board and you can enjoy the pleasure of dining out in Paris.

Paris — Vigneux, 0 km

Today is cruise day! As it is very busy and difficult to cycle south from Paris, we offer you the opportunity to stay on board an enjoy a relaxing cruise to Vigneux. The Clair de Lune leaves Paris around 15.00 hrs (3 PM), so there is plenty of time to visit Paris this morning and early afternoon.

Vigneux — Melun, 50 km

Today we follow the Seine river for most of the time. In the first part of the tour you will ride through the beautiful Forêt de Senart. After that follows a nice and easy ride to Corbeil-Essonnes where you can have a coffee on one of the many terraces. Later in the day you will arrive in the lively town of Melun where the barge is moored. In Melun we ride along all the highlights such as the botanical gardens, the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame, City Hall (Hotel de Ville) and Eglise St Aspais. In the evening you can stroll through the streets of this nice town.

Melun – Moret, 45 km

We conclude this week of cycling around and in Paris with a bike ride via the gardens and palace of Fontainebleau to the artist town of Moret. On the way from Melun to Fontainebleau we pass the beautiful village of Barbizon, famous for the many painters who stayed there at the end of the 19th century. During the ride through the Forêt de Fontainebleau you will see many old rocks and stones with surprising shapes. In Fontainebleau we reserve enough time for you to visit the gardens and palace. In the afternoon you will arrive at your destination. Moret-sur-Loing is a very nice town to walk around on your last evening on the trip.

Moret 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.