Loire Valley Bike & Boat
France Bike + Barge Tours
Bike the garden of france
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1238 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Even the name, Loire Valley, breathes romance. What a lovely place for your European Bike and Boat Tour in France. Kings, queens, dukes, and nobles came, built with opulence, lived, and ruled. This fertile river valley is sprinkled with hundreds of France's large, medieval estates, the chateaux, and the villages and vineyards that surround them.
It was not just the nobility that settled here in the garden of France. Perhaps it is the charm of its gentle pace of life that also made it a sought-after location for poets and writers. Here you will find a tangible legacy to a thousand years of rich architectural and artistic creativity. Step back through the history of some of France's finest works of art and sample delectable cuisine and the world-famous wines of the region.
Highlights
- Loire River and valley
- Villages and castles in the heart of France
- St. Brisson forest landscape
- Famous Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé vineyards
- Beautiful Sancerre
- Nevers
- 12th-century Château of Apremont and lavish gardens
- Impressive examples of canal building engineering along the Canal lateral du Loire
Be sure to view all of our bike tours in France or our comprehensive list of Loire Valley bike tours.
Itinerary
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)
The cycling itinerary today leads to the castle of Pont Chevron, situated on a small, picturesque lake. Around lunchtime, on this first cycling day, you will be in the village 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
First on the agenda is a visit to the magnificent aqueduct over the Loire River in Briare while the Clair de Lune begins to motor. With some luck and good planning, you might see the Claire de Lune pass right through here, high above the river. Later you ride to St. Brisson, where you will see the impressive medieval castle. Further on you will pass the historic locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire. The bike ride towards Belleville-sur-Loire leads you through the typical French countryside with rolling hills, country estates, and small villages.Day 4: Belleville- sur-Loire - Sancerre, 31 mi. (50 km)
Sancerre wines, especially the white wines, are famous all over the world. The first mentioning of winegrowing 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. And with success! The ride today takes you on a picturesque route right across the Sancerre vineyards and through the surrounding villages. In Ménétréol, situated under the Sancerre vineyards, there will be an opportunity to try some wine before returning to the Claire de Lune.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. Continue towards the destination of today, Cours-les-BarresDay 6: Cours-le-Barres - Grimouille, 25 mi. (40 km)
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, where you will have the opportunity to visit the 12th-century castle and surrounding fabulous gardens. After, you will continue 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 filled with houses dating back from the 14th to 17th century. The origins of Nevers date back to Roman times. Nevers is since the 5th century the seat of the bishop and has among others a castle and a few interesting churches. To celebrate the end of your cycling week you can of course also 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 - Rogy-les-sept-Ecluses - Briare, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 8: Briare, disembarkation by 10 amIf France isn't your thing, be sure to check out our comprehensive list of bike and boat tours as well as our featured bike trips!
Boats
- Clair de Lune
Standard Class Boat
In May 2014, Marco Pouw and his wife Astrid assumed ownership of the ship Clair de Lune. 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. Marco has years of experience as a skipper on freighters in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany and approaches his new venture with great enthusiasm. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights on the Standard Class vessel, the Claire de Lune
- Breakfasts, packed lunches, & dinners
- Coffee & tea
- 24-speed city touring bike (Batavus Boulevard)with step-through frame, panniers, water bottle, lock, & helmet
- Tour guide
- Minimum of three city walks with the tour guide
- Roadbook (1 per cabin)
- GPS tracks (on request)
- Ferry fares
- WiFi (limited) available in the lounge and on deck
What’s Not Included
- Entrance fees to museums, approx. €45
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2021
Standard Class Boat
Briare to Nevers
Saturday departures
Low season: October 9, 2021
Standard season: August 14, August 28, & September 25, 2021
High season: September 11, 2021Cabin Type
Standard Season High Season Low Season Split level bed $ 2050 £ 1135 $ 2,013 € 1285 NZ$ 2185 kr 13344 $ 1,583 $ 2210 £ 1224 $ 2,169 € 1385 NZ$ 2355 kr 14382 $ 1,707 $ 1883 £ 1043 $ 1,848 € 1180 NZ$ 2006 kr 12254 $ 1,454 Double bed $ 2050 £ 1135 $ 2,013 € 1285 NZ$ 2185 kr 13344 $ 1,583 $ 2210 £ 1224 $ 2,169 € 1385 NZ$ 2355 kr 14382 $ 1,707 $ 1883 £ 1043 $ 1,848 € 1180 NZ$ 2006 kr 12254 $ 1,454 Single $ 2226 £ 1233 $ 2,185 € 1395 NZ$ 2372 kr 14486 $ 1,719 $ 2473 £ 1370 $ 2,428 € 1550 NZ$ 2635 kr 16096 $ 1,910 $ 2090 £ 1158 $ 2,052 € 1310 NZ$ 2227 kr 13604 $ 1,614 Nevers to Briare
Saturday departures
Low season: October 16, 2021
Standard season: August 21 & October 2, 2021
High season: September 4 & September 18, 2021Cabin Type
Standard Season High Season Low Season Split level bed $ 2050 £ 1135 $ 2,013 € 1285 NZ$ 2185 kr 13344 $ 1,583 $ 2210 £ 1224 $ 2,169 € 1385 NZ$ 2355 kr 14382 $ 1,707 $ 1883 £ 1043 $ 1,848 € 1180 NZ$ 2006 kr 12254 $ 1,454 Double bed $ 2050 £ 1135 $ 2,013 € 1285 NZ$ 2185 kr 13344 $ 1,583 $ 2210 £ 1224 $ 2,169 € 1385 NZ$ 2355 kr 14382 $ 1,707 $ 1883 £ 1043 $ 1,848 € 1180 NZ$ 2006 kr 12254 $ 1,454 Single $ 2226 £ 1233 $ 2,185 € 1395 NZ$ 2372 kr 14486 $ 1,719 $ 2473 £ 1370 $ 2,428 € 1550 NZ$ 2635 kr 16096 $ 1,910 $ 2090 £ 1158 $ 2,052 € 1310 NZ$ 2227 kr 13604 $ 1,614 Extra Options
Electric bike: $ 136 £ 75 $ 133 € 85 NZ$ 145 kr 883 $ 105 Child's bike (21 gears) with helmet, suitable for children from approx. 9 yrs. & older): please ask
Child's bike seat, incl. helmet, suitable for children from approx. 11 mo. until 5 yrs, max weight, 25 kg: $ 24 £ 13 $ 23 € 15 NZ$ 26 kr 156 $ 18 Trailer bike, incl. helmet, suitable for children from approx. 5 yrs. until 9 yrs, max weight, 35 kg: $ 88 £ 49 $ 86 € 55 NZ$ 94 kr 571 $ 68 Bike trailer: $ 318 £ 176 $ 312 € 199 NZ$ 338 kr 2067 $ 245 Gluten-free/Celiac/Vegan diet request: $ 80 £ 44 $ 78 € 50 NZ$ 85 kr 519 $ 62 Children's discounts are possible. Please ask a tour specialist.Please note that the tour prices are based on the current fuel price. Should the fuel price increase more than 5% (reference date Jan. 2020), supplement may apply
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This guided bike and boat tour is rated easy to moderate. You will encounter short slopes with differences in heights up to 75 m. or gently rolling hills. After all, you are in France! The majority of the time you will cycle along the Loire River and through the Loire valley. You will enjoy pedaling on a section of the Loire à Vélo, a cycle path that in its totality encompasses 900-kilometers. The route is signposted and well-surfaced.
Airport Info
Closest international airport to either Briare or Nevers is Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG).
Local Travel
Briare
From CDG, you can access onward travel to Briare. First, you will take the RER B from the airport to Chatelet-Les-Halles, you will then walk via underground walkways to the Chatelet metro station. Take line 14 to Bercy. From here you can then access train travel to Briare. This will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. We advise taking a taxi to the mooring location at Canal Lateral á la Loire, at the Rue du Pont Canal.
Nevers
Directions are almost the same as traveling to Briare. However, at Paris Bercy, you will access onward travel to Nevers.Climate
Late summer and fall is a lovely time in the Loire Valley. Rainfall is less than other times of the year, cooler temperatures can generally be expected as August turns into September and throughout the month. Remember that you are in world-class wine country and humidity and some cooler temperatures are ideal. Do check local conditions before your arrival.
Remarks
Due to steel construction of the ship, cruising locations, and other factors, WiFi signal speed and strength may not be what you are accustomed to and may not meet your expectations. If you are dependent on a strong, fast, and reliable signal at all times, please consider a personal hotspot.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour Operator
This tour is run by CycleTours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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