Maastricht to Paris or Paris to Maastricht

Belgium, France, Netherlands Bike + Boat Tour

This is a special offering that you will not want to miss! A truly unforgettable experience awaits you on board. This delightful river cruise and boat and bike vacation is the ideal way to discover the gorgeous old landscapes between Maastricht in Holland and Paris, France. The boat will dock at old French cities such as Valencienne , Noyon, Compiegne and Pontoise, gorgeous garden cities where Napoleon and kings built their country lodgings. You will boat on the Somme to the gorgeous Oise and then to the magical Seine. Along the route are delightful cycling opportunities and possibilities to enjoy some Nordic walking as well. From Maastricht, to Liege and Namur, through the coal basins of Charleroi and on to Stepy, where the ship will be lifted by a special lift as big as a football field, 73 meters into the air and then across to the other side. It is quite the experience!  Once in Paris, the boat docks in the middle of this enchanting city. The captain of the ship knows Paris well and the chef on board uses his experience and knowledge of the region to ensure a true culinary dream. A little wine and a little cheese completes the experience. This special tour includes the most beautiful rivers and canals of Holland, Belgium and France. There is ample time to relax and wonder at the delightful old cities we will dock at along our route. Resign yourself to the care of the crew, enjoy the luxury and fun on board and take pleasure in an unforgettable sailing adventure through three countries.

In 2012, the lovely Elodie will be undertaking this beautiful route so you will have your choice between the totally renovated gentleman's yacht, the Miro, featuring exclusively e bikes or the charming river lady, the  Elodie.

For more on Maastricht and the Miro ship, visit Ravel Bike Route.

Where You’ll Stay

On the great ship, the Miro, a Comfort Plus class ship. On the lovely lady, the Elodie a Comfort Plus class ship.

What’s Included

• On the Miro:
• Champagne welcome
• Breakfast, packed lunch and 12 dinners
• Coffee and afternoon tea with fruit
• Towels and bed linens
• Daily room cleaning
• E bike (Super Gazelle orange)
• Biking maps, walking maps, route descriptions & travel information
• Multi lingual staff
• Guide available for scheduled excursion
• Helmets available
• On the Elodie:
• 14 night accommodations on board
• Breakfast buffets, packed lunches, & 3 course dinners
• Coffee & tea on board
• Tour guide
• 21 hybrid bicycle
• Route information
• Air-conditioned cabins
• Daily cleaning service

What’s Not Included

• Bar and table drinks
• Staff gratuities (suggested at €7 pp/per day aboard the Miro)
• Taxi and transfers
• Laundry service on board (priced per kilo) (only available on the Miro)

Tour Dates

• Maastricht to Paris: June 3, 2012 aboard the Elodie.
• September 22, 2012 aboard the Miro
• Paris to Maastricht: October 12, 2012 aboard the Miro

Skill Level

Easy self guided boat and bike tour with daily distances ranging from 19 to 23 miles. Biking is possible every day but not necessary.

Tour Boats

• Miro
• Elodie

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Individual arrival in Maastricht; board at 12 p.m. Sail to Liege.
2. Liege – Namur, 21 mi. (34 km)
3. Namur – Pont de Loup – Strépy, 22 mi. (35 km)
4. Strépy - Mons, 23 mi. (37 km)
5. Mons – Antoine, 21 mi. (34 km)
6. Antoine – Valencienne, 22 mi. (35 km)
7. Valancienne – Bouchain – Péronne
8. Valancienne – Bouchain – Péronne
9. Péronne - Noyon, 22 mi. (35 km)
10. Noyon – Compiegne, 19 mi. (31 km)
11. Compiegne – Creil, 23 mi (37 km)
12. Creil – Pontoise – Bougival
13. Bougival – Paris
14. Paris
15. Departure from Paris

Above and below is the itinerary aboard the Miro. Please scroll down to view itinerary aboard the Elodie.

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

DAY 1: Individual arrival in Maastricht; board at 12 p.m. Sail to Liege.
Boarding will begin at 12 noon. Enjoy a chilled glass of Champagne, meet the crew and have your bike adjusted to your personal preferences. There will be time for a short “test drive” to get accustomed to your bike. Dinner will be served on board your “floating hotel”, the Miro. This beautiful ship was designed by renowned naval architect Andre Hoek from Edam. Hoek designed the ship according to classical lines while ensuring that it still reflected a modern style and comfort. The interior reflects the style of Spanish artist Joan Miro, for whom the ship is named. Evening will find you setting off for a boat tour to Liege, passing Maas’ highest Locks. The boat will rise to 18 meters, an impressive experience. Upon arrival in, Liège a guided walking tour is available. Liége is a rapidly changing city where old meets new. Walking through the old city center, you will discover the typical traffic-free alleys and shopping streets where terraces abound. Liège is also the city of George Simenon(1903 - 1989), the creator of fictional police detective Maigret. Simenon was a very prolific writer. His enormous literary production has been translated everywhere in the world. He wrote hundreds of novels and stories, both under his own name or under a pseudonym. In 1931 he started the series of Maigret stories. Of humble beginnings, he has become one of the most popular novelists of the 20th century. Your guide will be able to tell you all about the rich history of Liège and will of course direct you to the very famous Café Chantant Le Jardin des Ollivette where you can all enjoy a refreshing beer.

DAY 2: Liege – Namur, 22 mi. (35 km)
After a delicious breakfast, a visit to the renowned Sunday market La Batte is on the agenda. This is the largest market in all of Belgium and is literally a treasure trove of anything you could possibly imagine. Your destination after your bike ride today is Namur where the Miro will dock in the heart of the city. From the decks of the boat, enjoy the view of the fairy tale castle, high above the city and also the city ramparts, built centuries ago to protect against invaders. Dinner is served at 6 pm which gives you plenty of time to spend the evening strolling through Namur’s enchanting streets.

DAY 3: Namur – Pont de Loup – Strépy tt, 22 mi. (35 km)
The day begins with a cruise during a relaxing breakfast and the opportunity to just sit on deck and soak in the scenery. Passing through Charleroi, you will see in the landscape the vestiges of the once-booming mining and steel industry for which the region was famous for centuries. It is here you will start your cycling day to Strépy, enjoying gorgeous country panoramas along the way. Strépy Thieu is famous for its new ship elevator in the Canal du Centre. This gigantic ship lift is as big as a football field and bridges a span of 239 feet. The unbelievable engine room and adjoining museum are open to the public for learning more about this marvelous feat of engineering.

DAY 4: Strépy - Mons, 23 mi. (37 km)
From the Canal Historique du Centre, you cycle toward Mons where you will cross over to the French border. Mons lies on the slopes of a small hill. Mons offers all the splendors and historical richness that so typifies most of the cities in Belgium.

DAY 5: Mons – Antoine, 21 mi. (34 km)
The highlight for this day will be Antoine and the beautiful cycle route along the old canals.

DAY 6: Antoine – Valencienne, 21 mi. (35 km)
The boat will follow the course of the upper Scheldt to Valencienne.

DAY 7 and 8: Valencienne – Bouchain – Péronne, 17 mi. (27 km)
Today will be a typical French day, boating, wining and dining. What you don’t finish today, you can always do tomorrow or the day after, right? At any rate, there is more than enough time to relax, stroll and simply enjoy the delights of the unique countryside.

DAY 9: Péronne – Noyon, 22 mi. (35 km)
The boat will dock at Souterrain du De Ruyaul court where you will hop back on board to pass through the dark shipping tunnels that are about 4,354 meters long and tunnel through the hills. You will sail through the Canal du Nord, ending in the Souterrain du Pannetrie, a total of 1,601 meters of tunnels! The biking today follows a route all the way to Noyon. It isn’t a long ride but since you will be following the boat you can board at any lock to take a break. The trip takes you through storybook French countryside and past picturesque villages that are primarily rural in nature. Noyon is an old city, dating back to 600 BC. The town offers many worthy sight-seeing highlights and monuments that have survived the impact that both WWI and WWII had on the region. In the evening, you will once more enjoy a sumptuous dinner and with a crisp wine on the aft deck, you will realize that life just doesn’t get any better.

DAY 10: Noyon – Compiegne, 19 mi. (31 km)
Following a fine breakfast you’ll proceed to Compiegne (19 mi.), while the ship keeps it’s lazy river pace alongside you. You can jump on again at any of the delightful riverbanks that you’ll pass. Compiegne is known as a regal village because every French king of old had a summer dwelling here, and once you see it you’ll know why. It’s also the city where Jeanne 'd Arc was captured. In short, a delightful city of rich history that you’ll love discovering for yourself, complete with many museums to explore. The entire afternoon is yours to fill with whatever you would like.

DAY 11: Compiegne – Creil
In the port of Compiegne, breakfast is served while the Miro sails on to Creil. Paris is getting closer and it is obvious in Creil where the influence of the city of lights is apparent.

DAY 12: Creil – Pontoise - Bougival, 23 mi (37 km)
The tour today goes through several villages to ‘I Isle – Adam, which is 20 miles from the center of Paris, right on the banks of the Oise River. It is here that the French come to relax and play. There is swimming and sunbathing on the sands of its riverside beach which is the largest in France. It is also pleasant to stroll along the avenues which were laid out by Le Nôtre for the Prince de Conti - who also designed the Versailles castle gardens. Balzac called it his “Paradise on Earth". On to Conflance – Sainte Honorine which is a suburb of Paris and also considered the capital of the French inland waterways. You will marvel at the beautiful boats, big and small, docked here. The town has a lovely ambiance which is why so many ship captains retire here. The boat will dock at Bougival.

DAY 13: Bougival – Paris
Today the Miro sails into Paris! Biking and walking are a little difficult but the Seine offers the perfect foreground for the wondrous city. As the boat slowly makes its way into the City of Lights, the approaching skyline of Paris beckons. In the city, the boat will dock at Grenelle directly under the Eiffel Tower. You will want to take an evening stroll here or join the captain for an evening bike tour to the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero Place.

DAY 14: Paris
After breakfast, the city of Paris awaits you! If you’d like to know more about this world-renowned city, the guide will be happy to accompany you on your travels. He’ll take you to see all the highlights by bike or by public transport, if you so wish. A twilight boat ride on the Seine is yours for the asking. What an unforgettable way to end your holiday!

DAY 15: Departure from Paris
You’ll enjoy one last breakfast on board before saying goodbye to your new found friends. You will go home with memories that will last a life time!

 Paris – Maastricht if the reverse itinerary.

Aboard the Elodie:

1. Maastricht - Liege, 9 mi. (14 km) 
2. Liege - Namur, 21 mi. (37 km)  
3. Namur - Charleroi  (Strepy) 22 mi. (35 km)  
4. Charleroi – Mons 
5. Mons - Antoing, 22 mi. (35 km)  
6. Antoing - Marquion, 26 mi. (42 km)  
7. Marquion - Peronne, 25 mi. (40 km)  
8. Peronne  
9. Peronne - Noyon, 31 mi. (50 km)  
10. Noyon - Compiegne, 25 mi. (40 km)  
11. Compiegne - Creil, 26 mi. (42 km)  
12. Creil - Auvers sur l'oise, 26 mi. (42 km)  
13. Auvers sur l'oise - Bougival, 26 mi. (42 km)  
14. Bougival - Versailles - Paris, 24 mi. (38 km)  
15. Departure from Paris 

*All distances are approximate.

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Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us