Loire Valley Bike & Boat

Briare to Nevers

Day 1: Briare, 9 mi. (15 km) 
Day 2: Briare - Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses - Briare, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Briare - Belleville-sur-Loire, 28 mi. 45 km
Day 4: Belleville- sur-Loire - Sancerre, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Sancerre - Cours-les-Barres, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 6: Cours-le-Barres - Grimouille, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: Grimouille - Nevers, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 8: Nevers

*All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs, etc.

Day 1: Briare, 9 mi. (15 km) 
The Clair de Lune will be moored and waiting at Canal Lateral á la Loire, at the Rue du Pont Canal. Embarkation is between 12 and 2 pm. You can bring your luggage on board as early as 11 am but your cabin will not be ready for check-in. Once you are settled, you can take a short test ride to check out your rental bike.

Day 2: Briare - Rogny - les - sept - Écluses - Briare, 31 mi. (50 km)
First up on your cycling itinerary is the 19th-century castle of Pont Chevron, situated on a small, picturesque lake, adjacent to the castle park of Pont Chevron.  Around lunchtime, on this first cycling day, you will be in the village of Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its historical locks. Via the 16th-century castle near Bléneau, you will cycle through a region of lakes to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée and eventually back to Briare.

Day 3: Briare - Belleville-sur-Loire, 28 mi. 45 km
As the Clair de Lune begins to navigate, you will visit the magnificent aqueduct over the Loire River in Briare. You might even see the boat pass through!  Later you ride to St. Brisson, the site of the impressive medieval castle, Château de Saint Brisson. More than  20 furnished rooms and 4 floors are to be discovered!  Further on you will pass the historic locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire. Continuing on to  Belleville-sur-Loire, the route leads through the typical French countryside with rolling hills, country estates, and small villages.

Day 4: Belleville- sur-Loire - Sancerre, 31 mi. (50 km)
The ride today takes you on a picturesque route right across the Sancerre vineyards and through the surrounding villages. In Ménétréol, situated amidst the Sancerre vineyards, there will be an opportunity for a wine tasting. Sancerre wines, especially white wines, are famous all over the world. The first mention of wine growing in this region dates back to the 6th century. Until the 19th century, the region mostly grew Pinot grapes, but after a disease that devastated the grapes, Sauvignon is now mostly grown with great success, as you will sample for yourself.  The Claire de Lune awaits in Sancerre, a French village that seems to climb the hillside. The picturesque streets and cobblestone alleyways make exploring the town a delight!

Day 5: Sancerre - Cours-les-Barres, 28 mi. (45 km)
Right after breakfast you will hop on your bikes and begin this day's cycling tour through the region of the Pouilly Fumé wines to La Charité-sur-Loire, an ancient Roman town. Crossing the 16th-century stone bridge to the center, there is a splendid view overlooking the town and its Notre Dame church. The final destination today is Cours-les-Barre, located on the Loire River.

Day 6: Cours-le-Barres - Grimouille, 25 mi. (40 km)
You peal south, through forests, villages, and pass country estates, ending up in the small and charming village of  Apremont-sur-Allier. Here you can visit the 12th-century castle, surrounded by fabulous gardens. Riding south from Cours-les-Barres you pass nice wooded areas with again many nice villages and country estates. Later in the day, you will end up in the small town of Apremont-sur-Allier which sprung up around the 12th-century early Renaissance castle and once fabulous gardens. The castle itself was dismantled stone by stone in 1733. Standing today are the ramparts, towers, and a one-of-a-kind vaulted passageway for knights. Then it is off to the sleepy village of Grimouille on the Canal Lateral du Loire. On the way, a visit to the aqueduct over the Allier River with its two impressive locks both measuring about 9 meters high is a must-do!

Day 7: Grimouille - Nevers, 16 mi. (25 km)
You end this week in the heart of France with a short ride to the town of Nevers where there are many sites to see including the winding streets lined with houses dating back from the 14th to 17th centuries. The origins of Nevers date back to Roman times. To celebrate the end of your cycling week you can take a well-earned rest on the several terraces in town and enjoy the local wine. The boat will moor at Embranchement de Nevers, Chemin de Halage.

Day 8: Nevers
Disembarkation by 10 am.

Nevers to Briare

Day 1: Nevers, embarkation at 3 pm
Day 2: Nevers - Gimouille, 17 mi. (25 km)
Day 3: Gimouille - Cours-les-Barres, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Cours-les-Barres - Sancerre, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Sancerre - Belleville-sur-Loire, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Belleville-sur-Loire - Briare, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Briare - Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses - Briare, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 8: Briare, disembarkation by 10 am

 Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of tours & trips including biking, hiking, multi-adventure, & more!

• Clair de Lune

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  3.2 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Standard Class Boat

  Touring Bicycle

  Batavus Boulevard City Touring Bicycle … • Upright riding position … • Comfortable gel saddle … • Flat pedals* … • 24 speeds … • Handbrakes … • Bike lock … Accessories … • Pannier bag … • Helmet… Read More

  Electric Bicycle (E-Bike)

  • Step-through frame … • 24 gears … • Detachable lithium-Ion battery … • Handbrakes … Acessories … • Pannier bag … • Helmet rental included and available onboard … • Water bottle … • Repair kit… Read More

  Children’s accessories

  Youth bikes, tag-along bikes, trailers, and child seats are available for rental. We will provide a price quote to you as well as the child discount applicable. Read More

  Originally built in 1936 as a freight ship in Belgium, like many of the vessels now used for biking and boating, this vessel was renovated and equipped for a new bike and boat adventure in and around Paris, launching in the spring of 2015. Read More