Loire Valley Bike & Boat

Day 1: Briare, 9 mi. (15 km) 
Day 2: Briare - Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses - Briare, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Briare - Sury-Près-Léré, 24 or 32 mi. (38 or 51 km)
Day 4: Sury-Près-Léré - Sancerre, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Sancerre - Beffes, 28 mi. (24 km)
Day 6: Beffes - Guetin, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 7: Guetin - Nevers, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 8: Nevers

Day 1: Embarkation in Briare between 1 and 2 pm, 9 mi. (15 km)
Your tour starts in the charming town of Briare, located in the Loiret department of Central France. Briare is often regarded as a gateway to the Loire Valley and offers a tranquil atmosphere with a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Once you are settled on board, you may enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and get to know the crew and fellow passengers. During dinner, the program for the following days will be discussed, and cycling instructions and safety procedures will be given. After dinner, the tour guide will take you on your first kilometers on the bike with a short ride around the village.

Day 2: Briare - Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses - Briare, 31 mi. (50 km)
Your first proper bike ride will take you to the Pont Chevron castle, nestled by a small, picturesque lake. Around lunchtime, you’ll arrive in the village of Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, famous for its historic seven locks. From there, you’ll ride past the 16th-century castle near Bléneau, through a scenic region of lakes, and continue to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée before returning to Briare.

Day 3: Briare - Sury-Près-Léré, 24 or 32 mi. (38 or 51 km)
You begin the day cycling to the magnificent aqueduct in Briare, which spans the Loire River. You might glimpse the Clair de Lune passing overhead with some luck and careful planning. Later, you’ll journey to Brisson and admire the impressive medieval castle and encounter the historic locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire as you continue your journey. The bike ride to Sury-Près-Léré takes you through the classic French countryside, featuring rolling hills, charming estates, and quaint villages.

Day 4: Sury-Près-Léré - Sancerre, 21 mi. (34 km)
Winegrowing in the area of Sancerre dates back to the 6th century. Sancerre wines, especially the white wines, are renowned worldwide. Pinot grapes were widely grown in the area until the 19th century, but after a devastating grape disease, Sauvignon became the primary variety and had its success! Today’s bike ride takes you on a picturesque route through the heart of Sancerre vineyards and surrounding villages. In Ménétréol, nestled beneath the Sancerre vineyards, you’ll have a chance to try some wine before finally heading back to the Clair de Lune. 

Day 5: Sancerre - Beffes, 24 mi. (38 km)
After breakfast, hop on your bike and start a cycling tour through the region of the Pouilly Fumé wines to the ancient Roman town of La Charité-sur-Loire. Enjoy the splendid view of the town and the Notre Dame church as you cross the 16th-century stone bridge to the center. Continue towards your destination of the day — Beffes, a commune in the Cher department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France.

Day 6: Beffes - Guetin, 23 mi. (37 km)
Heading south from Beffes, you’ll pass through nice wooded areas with many nice villages and elegant country estates. Later in the day, you’ll arrive in the charming and picturesque town of Apremont, located in central France and is often regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in the country. There, you can explore a 12th-century castle and its surrounding fabulous gardens. From there, continue today’s journey to the tranquil village of Guétin on the Canal Latéral du Loire. Along the way, a visit to the aqueduct spanning the Allier River, featuring two impressive locks, both measuring about 9 meters high, is one you should not miss!

Day 7: Guetin - Nevers, 14 mi. (23 km)
You will conclude the week in the heart of France with a short ride to the historic town of Nevers. Explore the numerous attractions that the town boasts, including the charming winding streets lined with houses from the 14th to 17th centuries. With roots tracing back to Roman times, Nevers has been the bishop's seat since the 5th century and is home to notable landmarks, including a castle and several fascinating churches. To celebrate the end of your cycling week, you can take a well-deserved rest on the several terraces in town and enjoy a glass of local wine.

Day 8: Disembarkation in Nevers
End of tour after breakfast, before 10 am.

Day 1: Nevers, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 2: Nevers - Guetin, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 3: Guetin - Beffes, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 4: Beffes - Sancerre, 24 mi. (38 km)
Day 5: Sancerre - Sury-Près-Léré, 21 mi. (34 km)
Day 6: Sury-Près-Léré - Briare,  24 or 32 mi. (38 or 51 km)
Day 7: Briare - Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses - Briare, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 8: Briare

Day 1: Embarkation in Nevers between 1 and 2 pm, 9 mi. (15 km)
Your tour starts in the historic town of Nevers, located in central France. Once you are settled on board, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and get to know the crew and fellow passengers. During dinner, the program for the following days will be discussed, and cycling instructions and safety procedures will be given. After dinner, the tour guide will take you on an evening walk through the old town of Nevers.  The city is known for its ceramic and is one of France’s major pilgrimage sites, as it is home to the remains of Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879). The old town, with its narrow, winding streets, has numerous buildings and palaces from the 17th century. 

Day 2: Nevers - Guetin, 14 mi. (23 km)
Your first proper bike ride begins in the heart of France with a short ride from the historic town of Nevers. Explore the numerous attractions that the town boasts, including the charming winding streets lined with houses from the 14th to 17th centuries. With roots tracing back to Roman times, Nevers has been the bishop's seat since the 5th century and is home to notable landmarks, including a castle and several fascinating churches. To kick off your holiday, you can enjoy a glass of wine on the several terraces in town.

Day 3: Guetin - Beffes, 23 mi. (37 km)
Today, you will start from the small village of Guetin on the Canal Lateral du Loire. Along the way, a visit to the aqueduct spanning the Allier River, featuring two impressive locks, both measuring about 9 meters high, is one you should not miss! Riding north to Beffes, you’ll pass through nice wooded areas dotted with many nice villages and elegant country estates. Continue your ride until you reach Beffes.

Day 4: Beffes - Sancerre, 24 mi. (38 km)
After breakfast, hop on your bike and start a cycling tour through the region of the Pouilly Fumé wines to the ancient Roman town of La Charité-sur-Lore. Enjoy the splendid view of the town and the Notre Dame church as you cross the 16th-century stone bridge to the center. Continue towards your destination of the day, Sancerre.

Day 5: Sancerre - Sury-Près-Léré, 21 mi. (34 km)
Winegrowing in the area of Sancerre dates back to the 6th century. Sancerre wines, especially the white wines, are renowned worldwide. Pinot grapes were widely grown in the area until the 19th century, but after a devastating grape disease, Sauvignon became the primary variety and had its success! Today’s bike ride takes you on a picturesque route through the heart of Sancerre vineyards and its surrounding villages to Sury-Près-Lérê. 

Day 6: Sury-Près-Léré - Briare, 24 or 32 mi. (38 or 52 km)
Today’s bike ride to Briare leads you through the classic French countryside, featuring rolling hills, charming estates, and quaint villages. As you continue your journey, you’ll encounter the historic locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire and later admire the impressive medieval castle as you ride on to St. Brisson. You will end today with a visit to the magnificent aqueduct in Briare, which spans the Loire River. Spend the last two nights moored in the typical French small-town of Briare.

Day 7: Briare - Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses - Briare, 31 mi. (50 km)
Your last bike ride will take you to the Pont Chevron castle, nestled by a small, picturesque lake. Around lunchtime, you’ll arrive in the village of Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, famous for its historic seven locks. From there, you’ll ride past the 16th-century castle near Bléneau, through a scenic region of lakes, and continue to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée before returning to Briare. You will end your bike ride in the heart of France.

Day 8: Disembarkation in Briare
End of tour after breakfast, before 10 am.