| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided |
| Skill | Easy–Moderate |
| Length | 15 days |
| From | €1975 Rates |
| Client Reviews |
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Day-To-Day Itinerary
Aboard the Zwaantje
Paris to Bruges
Day 1: Paris
Day 2: Paris, city center
Day 3: Saint Germain and Laye, Conflens and Auvers sur Oise, 24 miles (40 km)
Day 4: Beaumont sur Oise, Royaumont, Chantilly, Creil, 31 miles (50 km)
Day 5: Pont St. Maxence, Pierrefonds, Compiegne, 34 miles (55 km)
Day 6: La Clairière, Tracy, Ourschamps or Blérancourt, Noyon, 24/34 miles (40/55 km)
Day 7: Noyon - Ham - Péronne, 40 miles (65 km)
Day 8: Day in Péronne
Day 9: Bapaume, Ruyaulcourt, 27 miles (45 km)
Day 10: Cambrai and Arleux, 27 miles (45 km)
Day 11: Lewarde, Montigny, Marchiennes, Saint Amand les Eaux, Tournai, 40 miles (65 km)
Day 12: Kluisbergen, Ronse, Oudenaarde, 31 miles (50 km)
Day 13: through Nazareth, Ooidonk, Sint-Martens-Lathem, Afsnee, 31 miles (50 km) or directly to Ghent, 21 miles (35 km)
Day 14: Bellem, Hertsberge, Moerbrugge, Bruges, 25 miles (50 km)
Day 15: Disembarkation
All distances are approximate. Itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstance, including but not limited to weather, last minute mooring changes, and restructuring of locks or bridges.
Day 1: Paris
Embarkation begins at 4 pm on board the Zwaantje at the Port d'Austerlitz, close to the eponymous station. In the evening, stroll to the Ile Saint Louis, a distance of about 3 kilometers. It is possible to put your luggage on board as early as 9:30 am.
Day 2: Paris, city center
During breakfast, the boat will navigate on the Seine River through the center of Paris. At around10:30 you will be able to go ashore to visit the city at your leisure or you can go on a city walk of around 5 kilometers through the beautiful green areas of Parc de la Vilette, Buttes Chaumont and Belleville. The ship will continue on to moor outside the city. You can reach the boat, using public transport (day tickets not included, around €3) and will be able to board at around 17.30 for dinner.
Day 3: Saint Germain and Laye, Conflens and Auvers sur Oise, 24 miles (40 km)
After breakfast you will cycle along quiet towpaths along the river Seine, climbing to St. Germain where the gardens of Le Nôtre provide a magnificent view over Paris. Next you will go through the woods to Conflans for a picnic on the pier amongst the terraces. After a short stop at the Pontoise Bridge, you cycle further across the picturesque Chemin des Monts to the church of Auvers, famous for Van Gogh’s paintings. You will visit his grave during an evening walk.
Day 4: Beaumont sur Oise, Royaumont, Chantilly, Creil, 31 miles (50 km)
After a short stop in Beaumont, you will enjoy a picnic at the Royaumont abbey; one of the best preserved abbeys from the 13th century. During the afternoon, you will visit the splendid Chantilly; a luxurious castle with an impressive art collection and horse dressage. After dinner there will be a stroll through the lively provincial townof Creil.
Day 5: Creil - Pont St. Maxence, Pierrefonds, Compiegne, 34 miles (55 km)
Once again, you will enjoy a breakfast cruise as the MS Zwaantje navigates to Pont Saint Maxence. From there you will cycle through little towns and have a short stop in Verberie and then through the forest to Castle Pierrefonds; the leading restoration project by Viollet le Duc. In the evening we will be exploring the historical center with its medieval market and many alleyways.
Day 6: La Clairière, Tracy, Ourschamps or Blérancourt, Noyon, 24 or 34 miles (40/55 km)
First on the agenda is l’Armistice de la Clairière to the forest clearing and the carriage where the First World War armistice was signed. Then through Tracy and the Our-champs abbey with its charming ruin then on through rolling woodlands to Noyon and its imposing cathedral. You can extend the route by cycling to Blérancourt, where there is a lovely town hall from the 17th Century and a charming palace with flower gardens to be admired.
Day 7: Noyon - Ham - Péronne, 40 miles (65 km)
Today we will embarking on a long bike ride leaving at 8.30 for a ride through gently rolling, open countryside, the art deco town of Ham and along the river Somme lined with picturesque villages.
Day 8: Day in Péronne
The MS Zwaantje will be moored just outside this charming town with its lovely square and church as well as a castle, and the fascinating Grande Guerre museum. Explore and enjoy dinner this evening in town at a restaurant of your choice (not included but recommendations available on board).
Day 9: Bapaume, Ruyaulcourt, 27 miles (45 km)
We will continue cycling along the river Somme and then through the sparsely populated open and rolling landscape to Bapaume which was re-built after the First World War. We will then go on to Canal du Nord in Ruyaulcourt. Here the MS Zwaantje will pass through the divide between the rivers Somme and the Scheldt through a tunnel; the original border between Flanders and France. Mooring is in an outer area.
Day 10: Cambrai and Arleux, 27 miles (45 km)
Today you will visit Cambrai, a lively provincial town with historic monuments and a beautiful park to picnic in and then past the marshlands of Chantraine on to rural Arleux.
Day 11: Lewarde, Montigny, Marchiennes, Saint Amand les Eaux, Tournai, 40 miles (65 km)
A long day of cycling through former mining towns with beautifully preserved heritage from around 1900, and past the Scarpe-river through Marchiennes and St.Amand where there are monumental remains of baroque abbeys. Just across the border with Belgium lies Tournai, where we will take an evening walk through its historic center.
Day 12: Kluisbergen, Ronse, Oudenaarde, 31 miles (50 km)
North of Tournai, you will cycle across flat farmland with a few hills to the wooded Kluisberg, known for its cycling tours. The church in Ronse has a beautiful crypt from the 13th Century and Art Deco-villa’s and a crypt from the 11th Century. In Oudenaarde you will find the splendid town hall with a magnificent collection from the 16th and 17th Century as well as the Tour of Flanders Centre. After dinner you can enjoy a Belgian beer at the atmospheric Market place.
Day 13: Through Nazareth, Ooidonk, Sint-Martens-Lathem, Afsnee, 31 miles (50 km) or directly to Ghent, 21 miles (35 km)
First you will cycle along the River Scheldt, then on through the idyllic Ooidonk landscape, the artists' village of St. Martens-Lathem, the small ferry of Afsnee and the bustling Gent-South. There is the option of cycling directly along the River Scheldt to Ghent to speand an afternoon in this lively university town. Of Romanian origin and situated at the merging point of the Scheldt and Leie Rivers. Between the 14th and 16th century, Ghent was a wealthy trade and textile city. The town center is a great place to be in the evening. There is an option to join a canal tour to the center and return to ship by taxi (not included.)
Day 14: Bellem, Hertsberge, Moerbrugge, Bruges, 25 miles (50 km)
During breakfast the MS Zwaantje will take us to Aalter where will get on our bikes and cycle through wooded areas and fields, past quiet villages and castles to the Hertsberge estate where there is an interesting agricultural museum to visit. Timely arrival in Bruges, the most picturesque city in Flanders and from the 14th to the 16th Century renowned as one of Europe’s most important centers of banking and art, and during the romantic period rediscovered for time travel in the Middle Ages.
Day 15: Bruges:
Disembarkation by 10 am.
Bruges to Paris
Day 1: Bruges
Day 2: Bruges to Ghent, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Ghent - Oudenaarde, 15 or 27 mi. (25 or 45 km)
Day 4: Oudenaarde - Doornik (Tournai), 21 or 25 miles (35 or 42 km)
Day 5: Tournai - Arleux, 27 or 36 mi. (45 or 60 km)
Day 6: Arleux - Ruyaulcourt, 30 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Rualcourt - Peronne, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 8: Peronne, day of rest
Day 9: Peronne - Noyon, 30 mi. (50 km)
Day 10: Noyon - Compiègne, 24 or 36 mi. (40 or 60 km)
Day 11: Compiègne - Creil, 27 or 36 mi. (45 or 60 km)
Day 12: Creil - Auvers-sur-l'Oise, 20 or 32 mi. (33 or 55 km)
Day 13: Auvers - Conflans - Bougival, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 14: Bougival - Paris
Day 15: Departure
Paris to Bruges
Day 1: Arrival in Paris, Paris - Bougival
Embarkation at 2 pm. The Fleur will be moored in Port d’Arsenal located in the middle of the city, next to the Place de la Bastille. At 2:30, you will enjoy the crew introduction. At 3 pm, the boat will navigate right across the center of Paris, along several famous points of interest, like the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower. At 5 pm, you will have a safety presentation and at 6:15, a welcome drink. At 6:30, you will enjoy a lovely sailing dinner to Bougival.
Day 2: Paris (Bougival) - Auvers-sur-Oise, 22 or 29 mi. (36 or 48 km)
The cycling tour begins shortly after breakfast to St.Germain-en-Laye. There you climb to the palace and from the palace garden, you have a splendid view over Paris. Later you pass Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, where the Oise and the Seine merge. Since the 19th century, Conflans has been an important center of navigation in Northern France. Today's final destination is Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh spent the last days of his life and where he is buried in the local cemetery. This region was loved by many Impressionist painters. Dinner will be served at 6:30 on each evening. After dinner on board, enjoy an evening walk to the Van Gogh cemetery.
Day 3: Auvers-sur-l'Oise - Beaumont | Beaumont - Creil, 21 or 33 mi. (35 or 55 km)
You will enjoy a breakfast cruise to Beaumont. Starting in Beaumont, you follow the Oise upstream. On today's bike tour, you'll pass the abbey of Royaumont and then Chantilly, with its famous castle. The castle is also well known for the horse-racing cirNormalcuit and royal stables. Today’s destination is Creil, a country town, which in the 19th century was famous for its fine pottery.
Day 4: Creil - Pont-st-Maxence | Pont-st-Maxence - Compiègne, 21 or 33 mi. (35 or 55 km)
During breakfast the barge cruises to Pont-st-Maxence, town of kings and merchants, where today's bike tour begins. Soon you pass the abbey of Moncel, which in 1309 was founded by King Philips de Schone. Before reaching Compiegne, today's destination, you cycle through the forest south of the city. This beautiful town owes its architectural wealth to the proximity of Paris and the enormous woods in which the French kings loved to wander. The Chateau de Compiè with its magnificent gardens is well worth a visit.
Day 5: Compiègne - Chauny, 23 or 36 mi. (38 or 60 km)
The river Oise is soon left behind to continue your trip by way of the canal system connecting France and Belgium. The cycling tour goes through the forest of Compiegne and the “Clairière de l’Armistice”, the place where the French and German generals signed the end of WWI. Here you can visit the small but interesting museum. Later you cross the river Aisne and cycle through the forest of Ourscamp. You will meet the Fleur once again in Chaunygne, with its magnificent gardens that are well worth a visit.
Day 6: Chauny - St. Quentin, 24 or 33 mi. (40 or 55 km)
Today you continue the cruise on the old canal of St.-Quentin. Built in the Napoleonic era, the canal still breathes peace and quiet and is a reminder of a rich shipping history. The cycling route leads through the Somme-region, a quiet countryside with small villages. Today's destination is the lively provincial capital of the Aisne,St. Quentin, which rose in the 2nd century on a junction of Roman roads. Highlights here are the Gothic basilica and the 16th century Town Hall with its flamboyant Gothic façade.
Day 7: St. Quentin, rest day
Today the Fleur stays in St.-Quentin. You can participate in a day excursion by bus to the battlefields of World War I in the Somme valley. It is also possible to use the day for exploring the city of St.Quentin.
Day 8: St. Quentin - tunnel of Riqueval - Honnecourt, 24 or 39 mi. (40 or 65 km)
The Canal de St.-Quentin was dug under the government of Napoleon. Because the differences in height were sometimes big, it was necessary to dig tunnels. The longest one is the tunnel of Riqueval, which is 5670 meters long. Today, the barge goes through this tunnel. Boats are still pulled through by an electrically driven towboat and it takes approximately two hours to pass through. Above the tunnel, there is the watershed between rivers Escaut (Schelde) and Somme. Either just before or right after this tunnel the cyclists disembark. At the tunnel is a little museum. From there the route is downhill and ends in a little village called Honnecourt.
Day 9: Honnecourt - Cambrai - Pont Malin, 21 or 36 mi. (35 or 60 km)
After breakfast, you begin cycling to the ancient abbey of Vaucelles (which can be visited) and later continue to the city of Cambrai, once a roman provincial capital and an important destination for pilgrims. First in 1677, Cambrai became French. Worth seeing are the impressive and restored buildings of the city fortress, built under Charles V. The old city gate dates from 1300. In the afternoon, you leave the old canal de St. Quentin and continue on the Canal du Grand Gabarit to Pont Malin, where you spend the night.
Day 10: Pont Malin - Doornik, 27 mi. (45 km)
Today the barge follows the canal du Grand Gabarit for a few hours passing through a former industrial area of France. Old mines and steel sites border the canal. The bike ride follows the route to Santiago de Compostela. The Fleur crosses the French frontier in Mortagne and a little later, in Bleharies, it crosses into Belgium. We sail through the so-called ‘white land’. The charming little fortress town Antoing lies at the heart of this region and since the Roman days limestone has been mined here. Today’s destination is Doornik (in French: Tournai), one of the oldest cities in Belgium. Here we are in Wallonia, where all towns and villages have both a French and a Flemish name. Up until the beginning of the 17th century, Doornik was ruled by the French. Here, tapestry weaving gained in importance, while the cloth industry became less important. In the various museums of the town, excellent examples can be seen. In 1940, the entire city center was destroyed after a German air-raid. However, the town has been renovated and rebuilt. The cathedral of Notre Dame (12th and 13th century) is worth seeing, as well as the Belfort, which was built around 1200.
Day 11: Doornik (Tournai) - Oudenaarde, 27 mi. (45 km)
The barge cruises downstream on the Scheldt River and enters the Flemish region. Today's destination is Oudenaarde. In former days, this little town was situated on the border of the French and German Empires and as a result, it was involved in wars frequently. In the first half of the 16th century, the city hall was built of sandstone in Brabantine late Gothic style and it is one of the most beautiful city halls in all of Flanders. Oudenaarde is also known as the town of the tapestry, whose weavers and their wares are known throughout the world.
Day 12: Oudenaarde - Ghent, 21 mi. (35 km)
The barge continues cruising on the Scheldt in the direction of Ghent, a lively university town with a rich history. The town developed on the spot where in Roman days, the rivers Leie and Schelde merged, a favorable location which meant prosperity in late 13th and early 14th century. The cloth industry was a source of great riches. In the city, many patrician residences have been preserved. In the Lakenhalle (1425) the cloth traders gathered. The most important church is St. Baafs cathedral, which was constructed in different centuries and in different styles. In the cathedral, several masterpieces of medieval painting are to be found. “The worship of the Lamb of God” by Jan van Eyck is the most famous of all. You might want to take a city tour by boat or visit the old castle
Day 13: Ghent - Bruges, 15 or 30 mi. (25 or 50 km)
Today your bike tour goes through the pleasant countryside of Western Flanders to Bruges. Bruges, also called the Venice of the North, may be one of the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center, which dates from the Middle Ages, is almost completely preserved.
Day 14: Bruges, rest day
The boat stays in Bruges giving you time to explore this lively city.
Day 15: Departure
Individual departure following breakfast.
Bruges to Paris
Day 1: Arrival in Bruges
Day 2: Bruges - Ghent, 15 or 24 mi. (25 to 40 km)
Day 3: Ghent - Oudenaarde, 15 or 27 mi. (25 to 45 km)
Day 4: Oudenaarde - Doornik (Tournai), 21 or 25 mi. (35 to 42 km)
Day 5: Doornik (Tournai) - Pont Malin (Bouchain), 30 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Pont Malin - Cambrai - Honnecourt, 17 or 36 mi. (28 to 60 km)
Day 7: Honnecourt - tunnel of Riqueval - St. Quentin, 16 or 39 mi. (26 to 65 km)
Day 8: St. Quentin
Day 9: St. Quentin - Chauny, 19 or 29 mi. (32 to 48 km)
Day 10: Chauny- Compiègne, 21 or 30 mi. (35 to 50 km)
Day 11: Compiegne - Creil, 27 or 36 mi. (45 to 60 km)
Day 12: Creil - Auvers s Oise, 20 or 32 mi. (33 to 54 km)
Day 13: Auvers - Conflans - Paris, 22 or 29 mi. (36 to 48 km)
Day 14: Rest day, Paris
Day 15: Departure
Paris to Bruges
Day 1: Paris, 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 km)
Day 2: Paris - Versailles - Conflans, 25 miles (40 km)
Day 3: Conflans - Creil, 22 miles (35 km)
Day 4: Creil - Compiegne, 28 miles (45 km)
Day 5: Compiegne - Pont l'eveque (Noyon), 28 miles (45 km)
Day 6: Pont l'eveque ( Noyon ) - Peronne, 34 miles (55 km)
Day 7: Peronne (rest day)
Day 8: Peronne - Marquion 34 or 40 Miles (55 or 65 km)
Day 9: Marquion - Valenciennes, 28 miles (45 km)
Day 10: Valenciennes - Tournai, 30 miles, 48 km
Day 11: Tournai - Oudenaarde, 28 miles (45 km)
Day 12: Oudenaarde - Gent, 28 miles (45 km)
Day 13: Gent - Bruges, 28 or 34 miles (45 or 55 km)
Day 14: Bruges (rest day)
Day 15: Departure Bruges
Bruges to Paris
Day 1: Bruges, 10 miles (16 km)
Day 2: Bruges – Gent, 28 miles (45 km)
Day 3: Gent – Oudenaarde, 25 miles (40 km)
Day 4: Oudenaarde – Tournai, 13 or 29 miles (20 or 46 km)
Day 5: Tournai – Arleux, 34 miles (55 km)
Day 6: Arleux - Peronne, 22 miles (35 km)
Day 7: Peronne
Day 8: Peronne – Pont l'eveque, 19 or 35 miles, (30 to 55 km)
Day 9: Pont l'eveque – Compiegne, 23 miles (36 km)
Day 10: Compiegne – Creil, 10 – 33 miles (16 – 53 km)
Day 11: Creil – Auvers sur l’oise 34 miles (55 km)
Day 12: Auvers sur l’oise – Bougival, 23 miles (36 km)
Day 13: Bougival – Versailles – Paris, 13 miles (20 km)
Day 14: Paris
Day 15: Departure Paris
Paris to Bruges
Day 1: Paris
Day 2: Paris - Bougival
Day 3: Bougival - Pontoise
Day 4: Pontoise - Creil
Day 5: Creil - Compeigne
Day 6: Compiegne - Pont 'l Eveque
Day 7: Pont 'l Eveque - Péronne
Day 8: Péronne*
Day 9: Péronne - Bouchain/Arleux
Day 10: Bouchain/Arleux – Tournai
Day 11: Tournai - Oudenaarde
Day 12: Oudenaarde - Ghent
Day 13: Ghent - Bruges
Day 14: Bruges
Day 15: Departure Bruges
*End of week 1 and departure, beginning of week 2 and arrival
Distances aboard the Feniks average approximately 28 mi. (45km) per day or an average of approximately 4 to 5 hours biking.
Bruges to Paris
Day 1: Bruges, 11 mi. (18 km)
Day 2: Bruges - Gent, 37/25 mi. (60/40 km)
Day 3: Gent - Oudenaarde, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Oudenaarde - Tournai, 28/34 mi. (45/55 km)
Day 5: Tournai - Bouchain/Arleux, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Bouchain/Arleux - Hermies, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Hermies - Peronne, 12/28 mi. (20/45 km)
Day 8: Peronne*
Day 9: Peronne - Pont 'l Eveque, 31/40 mi. (50/65 km)
Day 10: Pont 'l Eveque - Compeign, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 11: Compeigne - Creil, 25/31 mi. (40/50 km)
Day 12: Creil - Pontoise, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 13: Pontoise - Bougival, 12/28 mi. (20/45 km)
Day 14: Bougival - Paris, 25/28 mi. (40/45 km)
Day 15: Departure Paris
*End of week 1 and departure, beginning of week 2 and arrival
Distances aboard the Feniks average approximately 28 mi. (45km) per day or an average of approximately 4 to 5 hours biking.
*All distances are approximate. The planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.
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Pricing Information
Travel Details
This tour is operated by Jossie Verkerk, Scheepvaartbedrijf M.C.van Tatenhove, Mirjam and Michel Meeuwessen. We do not run these tours ourselves, we never have. We work on commission from our local partners plus a small administration fee of €20. We pride ourselves on the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
Bruges to Paris or Paris to Bruges Boats + Barges
Elodie Netherlands, Belgium, France Comfort Plus Class Boat The Elodie was built in 1931 and has been completely refurnished into a luxury holiday ship. The ship has a saloon and sundeck and all of its cabins come with air-conditioning. The saloon of the Elodie is furnished in ship-style by using various types of wood in the finishing.
Feniks Belgium, Netherlands, France Standard Plus Class Boat Originally, the Feniks was built in 1928 as a freighter on the Dutch, Belgium and French inland waters. In 1992, the Feniks was converted to a hotel passenger ship and put in service for various sailing holidays. Since then, she has undergone several renovations to keep up-to-date with all modern facilities.
Fleur France, Netherlands Comfort Plus Class Boat The Fleur was first put into service in 2002. The owner, Jossie, had the beautifully-lined barge converted into a comfortable passenger ship, according to her own design. Her female touch is definitely recognizable by the tasteful interior and her sharp eye for detail. The whole barge radiates a homelike atmosphere.
Zwaantje France, Netherlands, Belgium Comfort Plus Class Boat The MPS Zwaantje, which means "Little Swaan", is a wonderful comfort plus barge. The boat has 10 cabins with twin beds and 2 cabins with double beds. These cabins also have a bunk bed but cannot be used as a triple. Each cabin has private facilities.
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Customer Feedback
Margie A. 4 months ago
The Elodie bike/barge trip was fabulous in terms of scenery, routes, staff, food. However, 2 couples on the barge were not able to keep up with our very leisurely pace. I would advise your company to stress level of fitness for participants, and also to recommend 2 guides for different ability levels.
Reply
Angela R. 4 months ago
The whole trip was great. Other passengers on the barge were great, weather was good, one couldn't ask for anything better. The Tripsite staff were extremely helpful and I have always found them to be most professional.
Boat: Fleur
Reply
Michelle H. 4 months ago
Most Memorable Part? The scenery & the crew from the Feniks.
Boat: Feniks
Reply
Rodney W. 5 months ago
Most Memorable Part: The friendliness of the local villagers and our fellow travellers.
Boat: Feniks
Reply
Robert W. 5 months ago
Most Memorable Part: Getting to pilot the boat for a few minutes.
Boat: Elodie
Reply
Richard N. 5 months ago
Most Memorable Part: Riding through the small villages from Bruges to Paris. Nina was a great guide also. I really enjoyed the night walks for a better inside view of village life... the Van Gogh experience was the highlight for me.
Boat: Elodie
Reply
Alan S. 5 months ago
After bicycling over 300 miles it was good to relax and see Paris from the water as we cruised to our final moorage on the Seine.
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
Jerry K. 5 months ago
We met a lot of really nice people. We were surprised that our guide was largely unfamiliar with the route!
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
Jeffrey D. 6 months ago
The trip was excellent, as attested by this being our 4th one. We will definitely be booking more. The route was good, although France lacks the same quality of bicycle paths that Belgium and The Netherlands have. There was a bit of climbing and some of the women in the group were very happy to have an electric bike option for those climbs. The barge was very clean and quite nice. The staff was excellent and really made you feel as part of the family. They went over and above for most everything. The food was very good and plentiful. The highlight of the Brugge to Paris ride would have to be Chantilly and entering Paris on the barge. The sights were incredible and seeing them from the water gave a whole different experience. The guides were great and the system of having "corners" and a "sweep" meant that no-one got lost and we could still ride at different paces. I am convinced, and I tell this all the time to anyone who listens, that these bike/barge trips are the best value for your money, period. There is no better way to see a country, than by bicycle.
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
Delia D. 7 months ago
The food was great and loved the coffee machine. Would like dinner at 7:00 pm rather than 6:30 pm to give us more time to relax and enjoy the day. No one ever eats in France before 7:30 pm and I felt like we were being treated as young campers. The Fleur needs new towels. The existing are rough and not vey absorbent. It was a very happy and congenial crew. Bert, Petra, Ellen and Aga. Thomas was most accommodating... Bike trails were good. We had the unusual situation where the majority ie 12 out of 20 bikers were of Olympian caliper. Their preferred speed was 30 to 35 kms an hour and the rest would have liked between 15 and 20 kms. and hour. We all coped but it meant you couldn't relax and enjoy the scenery. Two guides would have been the solution as promised.
Boat: Fleur
Reply
Jehiel 7 months ago
Hi Delia!
Thanks for sharing this feedback. I want to clarify that under what's included for the Fleur it mentions "Tour guide (in 2018, there will be two guides)". This will allow for two groups, different cycling speeds, and will fix this issue.
As far as dinner is concerned, the eating time is based on the logistics of the ship (routing, cooking, cleaning) and is not meant to make you feel like a young campers.
Despite this issues, I'm glad you had a great time!
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Michelle H. 7 months ago
The bike & barge trip from Paris to Brugge on the Feniks was an amazing experience. The crew was exceptional, the scenery beautiful and the price was terrific. I highly recommend this trip.
Boat: Feniks
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Paula Clair S. 7 months ago
The scenery was a photograph almost each moment. Incredibly knowledgeable guide made every day a new adventure. Plus a very doable ride for all skill level.
Boat: Feniks
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Kurt A. 8 months ago
The Zwaantje and crew are top notch, and present a great value. Some of the routes in northern France had a little too much traffic. Riding in Belgium and Netherlands seems nicer. Once is enough for this tour.
Boat: Zwaantje
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Jeffrey D. 8 months ago
Most memorable part? There were so many, but Chantilly Castle and the Montmontre area of Paris that we had a tour of immediately come to mind. Make sure that you can ride a bike and can manage at least 30 miles on a route with the same level of climbing, otherwise use an e-bike to help you along. Bring 2 pairs of street shoes, as some days they might get wet. Remember that there will be an opportunity to leave a tip at the end, and it should be about 5-6% of the booked price. Drink wine and beer, talk to people, don't be shy about anything and remember to have fun.
Boat: Zwaantje
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Diane C. 9 months ago
Wide range of scenery and experiences especially going on the barge through the tunnel and excellent guiding by Fred.
Boat: Zwaantje
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Michael & Cynthia K. 9 months ago
The overall experience of the barge & bike tour through wonderful countryside, villages & towns was excellent. The barge skipper/owner & staff were very good & most pleasant. The meals were of a high standard & variable throughout the two weeks.
The bikes were also very good. I had ordered an electric bike with our booking but the order did not go through. However, the ordinary hybrid bike provided did the job so I happily stayed with that.
We were also to have a double bunk, but that request did not get through either, but that was OK.
Boat: Zwaantje
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Trent A. 10 months ago
Most memorable part: Going through the locks. Tip would be to practice cycling up hills.
Boat: Elodie
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Madeline N. 11 months ago
Two items that were not as expected.
The literature states two guides but there was only one guide. This means there could only be one guided ride per day. So provide two guides or change the description of the trip to say only one guided ride per day.
Our pre-trip information provided a location for the where the barge would be moored in Paris. We selected a hotel near this location and planned activities based on this location. The boat did not dock at this location. We were not told that the location was changing. The boat docked. We didn't know where we were at and our guide also didn't know where we were at. Guide was very good. This was an issue with the boat captain.
Boat: Fleur
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Deborah P. 11 months ago
Needed the second guide as group unwieldy for one. Unlike prior trips, guide gave little info on trip sites/locales, despite being quite personable.
Boat: Fleur
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Christine C. 2 years ago
This was a fun trip full of historic sites. Would have liked to have maps so we could go off at our own speed sometimes. The side trips for additional mileage were great. Got to ride some of the "Tour de Flanders" route with cobbles and hills. Chantilly was fantastic! Also took a side adventure to a roman ruin, something we weren't expecting in that part of France.
Boat: Zwaantje
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Tony Davies 2 years ago
We did the bike barge trip from Bruges to Paris on the Zwantjie. We would absolutely recommend the trip. Our comments are:
1. While the cabins are small, they are still adequate and good layout in the bathroom ( each cabin has it's own) . They are kept very clean. They all have AC as the porthole does not open.
2. The rides was rated easy to moderate. It was MUCH harder than Bolzano to Venice so be prepared. I would say it should be rated moderate. The second week is easier than the first - perhaps due to improved fitness but also l think there are less hills.
3. Meals were good and wholesome.
4. Staff were incredibly obliging. Nothing was too much trouble. Thank you Martyn ( the Captain ), Michael ( mechanic ), Chris ( chef/cook ), Gosha ( amazingly efficient at serving meals/alcohol and cleaning the cabins ) and our great guides, Christain and Elia.
5. Size of about 24 riders is excellent. For us, better than say 30-40 as on the Ava Maria. You get to know all the riders are we had a great group of people, Australians, Americans and Poms.
6. When we stayed in Perrone we went to Villers Bretonneux. This is particularly relevant to Australians - whose troops saved the town from the Germans in WW1. A stunning memorial site -very moving. We also rode through a number of memorials to WW1 victims. Also quite moving.
Boat: Zwaantje
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Gloria S. 2 years ago
Accommodations were too small. The rest of the journey made up for lack of space. No room to put our belongings.
Boat: Elodie
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Jehiel 2 years ago
Hello Gloria,
Sorry to hear the Elodie was too small in your opinion. France is known for it's narrow canals so as a result the ships have to be smaller in order to navigate the waterways. We provide information including dimensions and note "... storage space is limited in the cabins". You can find more information on the Elodie Boat Page.
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Jim S. 2 years ago
What stands out is the friendly competent crew - Coba, Marianne and Petra, the gourmet chef - Franco, the experienced knowledgeable guides - Piet and Wouter. Together they made the two week journey both comfortable and memorable.
Boat: Fleur
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Jen Herold 2 years ago
We had a fantastic trip on the Fleur, It was well above our expectations.
The crew were fun and helpful in every way. ( food was excellent )
Bikes were easy to ride, i would take a gel seat cover for extra comfort.
Cabins were bigger than expected and the bathrooms clean with a instant hot water.
Our guide was informative, she took us into places that you would not normally enter.
We had a fun team of riders, thanks guys from the Smurfs xxx
Boat: Fleur
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M. McDonnell 2 years ago
Nearly everything excellent. The only downside was the cycling was promised to have the option of two different rides each day i.e. a long or a short ride with two different guides. There was only one guide so both options were compromised into one medium length ride each day. Many on the tour would have preferred a longer ride most days.
Boat: Fleur
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S. Mather 2 years ago
It was well above our expectations in every way, cabins, staff, cleanliness and the gourmet meals all the time. Fantastic experience.
Boat: Fleur
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B. Milroy 2 years ago
Everything exceeded expectations. I would definitely recommend the Fleur and trip
Boat: Fleur
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Paavo Kivisto 2 years ago
Issues related to the boat: bad smell, cabin room was cozier than we would choose in the future. Laundry facilities were inadequate. We really enjoyed the trip, the guide and the experience!
Boat: Feniks
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Wendy Hallinan 2 years ago
Outstanding cuisine, wonderful smiles and life long memories. We have already recommended our trip to many people. Fantastic Elodie!
Boat: Elodie
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Linda Harve 2 years ago
Our second bike and barge trip with Tripsite. What a lovely way to spend a vacation!
Boat: Elodie
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Alica Kline 2 years ago
Food was great, would have liked more flexibility on cycling.
Boat: Elodie
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Gayle Carter 2 years ago
We had brand new bikes and the guides had to spend most of their early evening time adjusting the bikes (Brugge to Paris trip) but in the end got all the bikes adjusted so they all ran well. All the boat staff and guides were fantastic.
Love your trips-must do more.
Boat: Fleur
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Gordon Maze 3 years ago
We highly recommend the Paris to Bruges bike and barge on the Elodie but one must be a strong cyclist as there are hills. The food was really excellent. Comradery among the group was high, and that's one of the great aspects of the trip.
Boat: Elodie
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Raylee Flick 4 years ago
We had an absolutely fabulous time in September this year on this trip. Cycling was fantastic-Francien an excellent guide, Inma a wonderful gourmet cook. The crew was always helpful and cheerful. The group of fellow cyclists were great fun - lots of laughs. Thank you, we will be back!!
Boat: Fleur
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Jim Elkan 5 years ago
Our Kansas City biking group just got back from our annual European bike ride..This year it was a Bike and Barge trip: Paris to Bruges..It was a great trip..The Elodie was as pleasant as advertised, the food, prepared by Chef Sander, was excellent..Our guide, Ono was very good and patient with us..Michael, our Captain, couldn't have been better..
The countryside was beautiful..It was a memorable trip and we'll see you again next year..
Jim and Janet Elkan
Boat: Elodie
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Darcy 6 years ago
I recently enjoyed the Paris to Bruges bike & barge tour and I loved it. The crew were fantastic, the service was excellent and the daily ride with a wonderful guide was great fun. It was one of the best travel experiences. Thanks to everyone on the Elodie for the ideal holiday. (I was on the 30th Sept 2012 trip)
Boat: Elodie
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Beth Ridenour 6 years ago
This was the best way to enjoy Europe combining bicycling through painting-like landscapes on a well balanced tour of culture, history and fun with a fantastic caring crew and fabulous food! The addition of a dozen Australians made it even better; and barging into Paris on a sunny afternoon with a glass of wine was divine. We're booking again in 2013!
Boat: Elodie
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Robert Burns 6 years ago
Fantastic-had a great time, food was great and bike tours were very good. Comraderie on the Fleur helped make the trip and the guides were fun with all the grief they received from us. Many sites were visited you would never see on a "packaged" tour
Boat: Fleur
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Barb Tiffany 7 years ago
This was a fantastic tour. The guide, captain, and cook were all wonderful. Great way to see the country, on small roads and bike trails. We saw an amazing amount of varied things in 14 days.
Boat: Fleur
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