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Versailles to Fontainebleau Guided 8-Day Bike & Barge Tour (Level 2)
The rivers Oise, Seine and Loing offer a unique opportunity to make a relaxed biketrip around the City of Light, Paris. Follow the flow of these rivers and cycle quietly through the green countryside with charming little villages and richly decorated castles and palaces. This tour winds between the artist towns of Moret-sur-Loing and Auvers-sur-Oise. Along the way you will visit the world famous palaces and gardens of Fontainebleau and Versailles. You will enjoy a very nice cruise to Paris along the Seine and of course we have reserved enough time for you to visit the highlights of Paris and to cycle through the city. A very diverse tour that allows you to have a cycling holiday with Paris as its center.
Distance: 40-60 km average per day. Altitude: 100-500 hm average per day. Not too steep and not too long slopes on not very difficult terrain.
Our motorised passenger vessels, about 35 - 45 metres in length, are former river vessels especially converted for this kind of holiday. The barges all comply with the strict safety regulations laid down by the Dutch Shipping Inspection Authorities. On board you find a cosy dining room, a sun deck/a deck for the bicycles. All cabins are provided with running water (hot and cold), private shower and toilet, 220 voltage and central heating. There is limited storage space in the cabin. We recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under the bed.Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.
If you would like to rent a Touring Bike (115 EUR) or E-Bike (225 EUR), please contact [email protected] when booking
Slow Tours offers a range of Bike and Barge Tours Europe
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.
Tours marked with are special prices.
Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug 28 2025 | Sep 04 2025 | 17 | Single rooms | 1,610€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,590€ | |||||
Sep 11 2025 | Sep 18 2025 | 17 | Single rooms | 1,805€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,730€ | |||||
Sep 25 2025 | Oct 02 2025 | 17 | Single rooms | 1,610€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,590€ | |||||
Oct 09 2025 | Oct 16 2025 | 17 | Single rooms | 1,505€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,450€ |
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]