Ravel Bike Route

Belgium, France, Netherlands Bike + Boat Tour

Along the Meuse River

This tour starts in the great city of Maastricht in the Netherlands, where the Meuse River is called the Maas River. Though a small city, it has a great medieval street plan that centers around the Vrijthof square and Saint Servatius Basilica. The cobblestone streets are lined with cafes and shops, and the city's long history as the oldest city in the Netherlands is easily seen and felt adding to its romantic mystique.

From the Pietersplas Harbor in Maastricht, the route takes you through the breathtaking and welcoming Waalse Maas Valley, a gorgeous historical landscape situated between the Netherlands and France. The tour takes you through beautiful old cities, villages and scenic landscapes. You’ll bike through the Route Ravel, an adventure-filled, almost completely flat, well-signposted and well lit bike- and walking route with first-class bike paths. The historical city of Liege, also known as “Little Paris on the Maas”, is full of parks and gardens with a rich industrial history and the world-renowned Sunday market La Batte. The tour takes you via Huy and it’s impressive fort ”Li Tchestia” to Namur, the capital city of Wallonia with a rich heritage.

Namur is situated at the junction of the Sambre and the Meuse rivers. Don’t forget to climb the very grand and mighty Citadel and be sure to pay the chocolate makers in the center of town a visit! Continuing in a southerly direction along the Meuse, you'll be greeted with gorgeous vistas and fairytale castles along the riverbanks. On your way to Dinant, you will pass sights that are well worth a visit, such as the many abbeys and cloisters, coppersmith’s workshops and the medieval castle ruins of Poilvache. Once in Dinant, you cannot miss the marvelous citadel, a wondrous crowning glory. This military bulwark offers an unparalleled historic perspective. Also the nearby stalactite caves are well worth seeing. On the way to Givet in France you will pass the early Roman church of Hastiere and the famous Château Freyr, also known as the Versailles on the Meuse.

The salon yacht Miro,your luxurious floating hotel is your comfortable home away from home for the duration of your travels – packing your suitcases every day is simply not necessary! You can spend your days walking or biking and meet your ship again at the end of your day at the agreed place and time. Of course you can skip a day of walking or biking, and spend your morning sleeping in and your day enjoying the sailing and lazing on board, sunning and reading in a comfortable deck chair. And of course there is always time for a visit to a museum during the day, or for painting the town red at night.

All route maps and sightseeing information will be on board, but the very best tips come from the skipper, who knows the area like the back of his hand and can give you endless insights into the best sightseeing and the best tips for fine dining. For drinks, you don’t have to look any further than our well-stocked bar, with a beer tap that you can use to serve yourself the coldest brews.

Where You’ll Stay

On the great ship, the Miro a Comfort Plus class ship.

What’s Included

• Welcome champagne
• 6 nights on board the Miro
• Buffet breakfast, packed lunches on board
• Afternoon tea
• Daily cabin cleaning
• 8-speed hybrid unisex Gazelle Innergy electric bicycle
• Helmets available
• Biking maps, walking maps, route descriptions & travel information
• Multi-lingual crew on board

What’s Not Included

• Bar drinks
• Dinners
• Staff gratuities

Tour Dates

• April 14, April 28, May 12, May 26, June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18, September 1, September 15, 2012

Skill Level

Easy. The total length of the route by bike is about 175 km. The total length by boat is around 170 km. Almost all bike paths are level, well signposted and well lit, but alternative routes and local roads are also a possibility.

Tour Boats

• Miro

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Maastricht. Sail to Liege.
2. Liege - Namur, 22 mi.
3. Namur - Dinant, 18 or 34 mi.
4. Dinant - Givet, 16 or 32 mi.
5. Riviere - Huy, 20 mi.
6. Huy - Maastricht, 17 mi.
7. Departure from Maastricht.

*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: Arrival in Maastricht. Cruise to Liege.
Upon your arrival in Maastricht, you’re expected at the Pietersplas yacht harbor at 1pm. Once on board, we’re pleased to offer you a welcome aperitif and let you know a little bit more about the planned tour. The bikes are handed out at 3pm and will be personally adjusted for your biking comfort. The Miro set sail towards Liege, via the locks of Lanaye. With their 18 meter drop, these are the highest locks in the Maas and it makes for a pretty impressive event. Upon arrival in historical center of Liege, we’ll dock at the aquarium museum Du Liege. Dinner will be served in Liege and in the evening there will be ample time to visit the lovely city highlights – the captain will be happy to take you to the renowned Café Chantant Le Jardin des Olliviette, where the music of the region and the famous French “chansons” create a wonderfully unique atmosphere.

DAY 2: Liege – Namur, 22 miles (35 km)
We’ll begin the day early with a hearty Captain’s breakfast, after which you’ll be more than fortified for a visit to the famous Sunday market La Batte, Belgium’s oldest market. The Miro will then set sail for Namur via the Route-Ravel, along the mighty steel mills that underline the industrial importance of the Maas. The route is ever-changing: wild, wooded glens and cultivated areas all compete for your attention alongside the winding river. We’ll also see many an ancient castle, straight out of a fairytale. Above the d’Ampsin-Neuville locks you’ll disembark once more and take a bike ride to Namur, a rich old city and also the capital of Wallonia, situated on the junction of the Sambre and the Meuse (Maas) rivers. In the evening, you’ll visit the enchanting castle of Namur and wonder at the sights of this lovely city. And you’ll fall asleep under the romantic canopy of lights that illuminate the imposing walls of the Chateau Namur.

DAY 3: Namur – Dinant, 18 or 34 mi. (29 km or 54 km)
The bike route takes you from the Maasdal, or Maas Valley, to Namur and then to Dinant. On the left riverbank you can admire the strawberry town of Weppion, while on the other riverbank you’ll have great views of Profondeville en Riviere with its fabulous vantage point ‘Sept Meuse’, which offers a breathtaking view over seven Maas valleys. You can also pay a little extra for a tour of the Abbey of Maredred and Maredsous. The route travels along the typical Maas-style village Dave-Frenes en Godinne with its beautiful 17th century Spanish manor house called Yvoir and the lovely abbey-brewery of Leffe. Small, welcoming villages where the delights of Belgian beer await surround you on your sailing adventure. Shortly before Dinant you can wonder at the old fortresses of Poilvache to your right and Crèvecoeur to your left, directly opposite each other and each guarding its own riverbank. Today you’ll also be rewarded by the gorgeous natural beauty of the region. The Miro will be waiting for you again in the centre of the picturesque city of Dinant.

DAY 4: Dinant – Givet (in France), 16 or 32 mi. (25 or 52 km)
The valley disappears after Dinant, and the villages get sparser and the cliffs more steep. They give this landscape a wild and untouched flavor. On the right bank you’ll pass Anseremme. Here you can tour the Lesse by canoe, and then via the locks to the Château of Freyr, also known as little Versailles on the Maas. We’ll cross over via a ferryboat in Waulsort towards Hastière. (25 km)
Here you can visit the old Roman abbey church before continuing on to Givet, a city known as the port of France. The return route is an alternative one to the one just taken. On the fourth day you’re welcome to rest or you can also take a short bike ride through the lovely scenery surrounding Dinant. At 4:30 pm, there’s a romantic evening cruise planned to Riviere and also the possibility for a fine traditional Captain’s Dinner on board of the Miro . Riviere is also where we’ll spend the night, in a quiet place alongside the picturesque banks of the river. If you’ve still got some energy reserved, the skipper will be happy to take you for a lovely walk to see the charming windmills or the renowned Sept Meuse.

DAY 5: Riviere – Huy, 20 mi. (32 km)
During your breakfast the MIRO will be sailing through gorgeous mountain scenery to La Plante. And from La Plante we’ll take a bike tour via Marche-les-Dames (the place where in 1934 the Belgian King and mountaineer Albert I met his death while climbing the steep cliffs) to Huy. Here we’ll dock at the beautiful city piers for the night. Huy is a lovely peaceful city with windy streets and alleys and an ancient tradition in metal work. The golden treasure of the Cathedral Notre Dame is unique, crafted by goldsmith Godefried von Huy in the 13th century. The Citadel allows unforgettably breathtaking views of the plateau of Sarte.

DAY 6: Huy – Maastricht, 17 mi. (27 km)
While enjoying yet another sumptuous breakfast, we’ll already be sailing towards the sun to Liege, where we’ll begin a bike tour of harborsides and iron works. Via the country towns of Monsin and Visé, we’ll cross the border and bike past gorgeous apple orchards to Castle Eijsden, and then through lovely Limburg country to Maastricht. We’ll be sure to stop at the famous Mergel Caves for your sightseeing pleasure. We’ll end the day in the historical city of Maastricht. And for those who enjoy a little shopping, all shops are open till 9 pm on Thursday evenings.

DAY 7: Departure from Maastricht.
Enjoy a last delicious breakfast on board; disembark at 10 am. Your crew will be sad to see you go & will hope that you have had an unforgettable experience!

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