Loire Valley Bike & Boat
France Bike + Boat Tours
Bike the Garden of France
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1535 Rates
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 the remnants of history 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 of 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 & Valley
- Villages & Châteaux in the heart of France
- St. Brisson Forest landscape
- Pouilly Fumé vineyards
- Beautiful Sancerre
- Nevers - city of art and history
- 12th-century Château d'Apremont-sur-Allier 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 - Ménétreol-sous-Sancerre, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Ménétreol-sous-Sancerre - Cours-les-Barres, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 6: Cours-le-Barres - Grimouille, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 7: Grimouille - Nevers, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 8: NeversAll 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 1 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 - Ménétreol-sous-Sancerre, 22 mi. (35 km)
Sancerre wines, particularly the white ones, enjoy worldwide renown. The origins of wine growing in this area can be traced back to the 6th century. Historically, Pinot grapes dominated the region's vineyards until the 19th century, when a devastating disease prompted a shift to predominantly cultivating Sauvignon grapes. This transition has proven to be highly successful. Today, a scenic journey awaits, leading you through the enchanting Sancerre vineyards and the neighboring villages. In Ménétréol, nestled beneath the Sancerre vineyards, you'll have the opportunity to savor some wine before making your way back to the Clair de Lune.Day 5: Ménétreol-sous-Sancerre - Cours-les-Barres, 28 mi. (45 km)
Immediately following breakfast, you will mount your bicycle and embark on a cycling excursion through the esteemed Pouilly Fumé wine region, heading towards the ancient Roman town of La Charité-sur-Loire. As you cross the 16th-century stone bridge and arrive at the town center, a magnificent panorama unfolds, revealing the charming Notre Dame church and the town itself. Pressing onward, your journey leads you towards today's final destination, Cours-les-Barres.Day 6: Cours-le-Barres - Grimouille, 23 mi. (37 km)
You pedal south, through forests, and 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 many nice villages and country estates again. 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, 14 mi. (23 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 between 1 & 2 pm
Day 2: Nevers - Gimouille, 14 mi. (22 km)
Day 3: Gimouille - Cours-les-Barres, 24 mi. (38 km)
Day 4: Cours-les-Barres - Ménétreol-sous-Sancerre, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Ménétreol-sous-Sancerre, - Belleville-sur-Loire, 22 mi. (35 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 amBriare to Nevers
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: NeversNevers to Briare
Day 1: Nevers, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 2: Nevers - Guetin, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 3: Guetin - Beffin, 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: BriareBe sure to check out our comprehensive list of tours & trips including biking, hiking, multi-adventure, & more!
Map
Boats & Bikes
- Clair de Lune
Standard Class Boat
Touring BicycleElectric Bicycle (E-Bike)![]()
Oxford Touring Bicycle … • 24 speeds … • Handbrakes … • Step-through frame: for passengers from 4'11 to 5'10 / 150 cm - 178 cm … • Men's frame: for passengers from 4'11 to 6'8 / 150 cm - 203 cm … •… Read MoreChildren’s accessories![]()
Freebike … • 7 speeds … • Handbrakes … • With integrated battery … • For passengers from 5'1 to 6'6 / 155 cm - 198 cm … Accessories … • Pannier bag … • Bike helmet … • Bike lock … • Water bottle … Read MoreYouth 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 MoreOriginally 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
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 touring bike (Oxford) equipped with panniers, water bottle, lock, & helmet
- Cycling tour guide
- Bike Protection
- 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
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Standard Class
Clair de Lune
Briare to Nevers
Monday departures
Low season: June 24, July 8, July 22, & August 5, 2024
Standard season: May 27, June 10, August 19, & September 30, 2024
High season: September 2 & September 16, 2024Nevers to Briare
Monday departures
Low season: July 1, July 15, & July 29, 2024
Standard season: June 3, June 17, August 12, August 26, & September 23, 2024
High season: September 9, 2024Low season Standard season High season Split level bed $ 2573 £ 1319 $ 2,367 € 1535 Ft 617574 kr 238432 ₪ 6583 ¥ 247273 Mex$ 33699 NZ$ 2805 kr 18445 zł 6690 S$ 2255 kr 17776 CHF 1472 $ 1,742 $ 2808 £ 1439 $ 2,583 € 1675 Ft 673900 kr 260178 ₪ 7184 ¥ 269825 Mex$ 36772 NZ$ 3061 kr 20127 zł 7300 S$ 2460 kr 19398 CHF 1606 $ 1,901 $ 3034 £ 1555 $ 2,791 € 1810 Ft 728214 kr 281148 ₪ 7762 ¥ 291572 Mex$ 39736 NZ$ 3307 kr 21750 zł 7889 S$ 2659 kr 20961 CHF 1736 $ 2,054 Double bed $ 2573 £ 1319 $ 2,367 € 1535 Ft 617574 kr 238432 ₪ 6583 ¥ 247273 Mex$ 33699 NZ$ 2805 kr 18445 zł 6690 S$ 2255 kr 17776 CHF 1472 $ 1,742 $ 2808 £ 1439 $ 2,583 € 1675 Ft 673900 kr 260178 ₪ 7184 ¥ 269825 Mex$ 36772 NZ$ 3061 kr 20127 zł 7300 S$ 2460 kr 19398 CHF 1606 $ 1,901 $ 3034 £ 1555 $ 2,791 € 1810 Ft 728214 kr 281148 ₪ 7762 ¥ 291572 Mex$ 39736 NZ$ 3307 kr 21750 zł 7889 S$ 2659 kr 20961 CHF 1736 $ 2,054 Single $ 2758 £ 1413 $ 2,537 € 1645 Ft 661830 kr 255518 ₪ 7055 ¥ 264993 Mex$ 36114 NZ$ 3006 kr 19767 zł 7169 S$ 2416 kr 19050 CHF 1577 $ 1,867 $ 2925 £ 1499 $ 2,691 € 1745 Ft 702063 kr 271051 ₪ 7484 ¥ 281102 Mex$ 38309 NZ$ 3189 kr 20969 zł 7605 S$ 2563 kr 20208 CHF 1673 $ 1,980 $ 3244 £ 1662 $ 2,984 € 1935 Ft 778505 kr 300564 ₪ 8299 ¥ 311709 Mex$ 42480 NZ$ 3536 kr 23252 zł 8433 S$ 2842 kr 22409 CHF 1855 $ 2,196 Children's discounts are offered. Please ask us!
Standard Class
Clair de Lune
Briare to Nevers
Tuesday departures
Low season: June 24, July 8, July 22, & August 5, 2025
Standard season: May 27 & June 10, 2025Nevers to Briare
Tuesday departures
Low season: July 1, July 15, & July 29, 2025
Standard season: June 3, June 17, & August 12, 2025Low season Standard season Split level bed $ 2666 £ 1366 $ 2,452 € 1590 Ft 639702 kr 246975 ₪ 6819 ¥ 256133 Mex$ 34906 NZ$ 2905 kr 19106 zł 6930 S$ 2336 kr 18413 CHF 1525 $ 1,804 $ 2900 £ 1486 $ 2,668 € 1730 Ft 696028 kr 268721 ₪ 7419 ¥ 278685 Mex$ 37980 NZ$ 3161 kr 20788 zł 7540 S$ 2541 kr 20035 CHF 1659 $ 1,963 Double bed $ 2666 £ 1366 $ 2,452 € 1590 Ft 639702 kr 246975 ₪ 6819 ¥ 256133 Mex$ 34906 NZ$ 2905 kr 19106 zł 6930 S$ 2336 kr 18413 CHF 1525 $ 1,804 $ 2900 £ 1486 $ 2,668 € 1730 Ft 696028 kr 268721 ₪ 7419 ¥ 278685 Mex$ 37980 NZ$ 3161 kr 20788 zł 7540 S$ 2541 kr 20035 CHF 1659 $ 1,963 Single $ 2758 £ 1413 $ 2,537 € 1645 Ft 661830 kr 255518 ₪ 7055 ¥ 264993 Mex$ 36114 NZ$ 3006 kr 19767 zł 7169 S$ 2416 kr 19050 CHF 1577 $ 1,867 $ 2934 £ 1503 $ 2,699 € 1750 Ft 704075 kr 271828 ₪ 7505 ¥ 281907 Mex$ 38419 NZ$ 3198 kr 21029 zł 7627 S$ 2571 kr 20266 CHF 1678 $ 1,986 Twin/double for single use $ 3738 £ 1916 $ 3,439 € 2230 Ft 897192 kr 346386 ₪ 9564 ¥ 359230 Mex$ 48957 NZ$ 4075 kr 26796 zł 9719 S$ 3276 kr 25825 CHF 2138 $ 2,531 $ 4090 £ 2096 $ 3,763 € 2440 Ft 981681 kr 379006 ₪ 10464 ¥ 393059 Mex$ 53567 NZ$ 4459 kr 29320 zł 10634 S$ 3584 kr 28257 CHF 2340 $ 2,769 Children's discounts are offered. Please ask us!
Extra Options
Rentals
Electric bike $ 184 £ 95 $ 170 € 110 Ft 44256 kr 17086 ₪ 472 ¥ 17720 Mex$ 2415 NZ$ 201 kr 1322 zł 479 S$ 162 kr 1274 CHF 105 $ 125 Child's bike seat, incl. helmet (suitable for children from approx. 11 mo. until 5 yrs, max weight, 25 kg) On request Child's bike (21 gears) with helmet (suitable for children from approx. 9 yrs. & older) On request Tag along bike, incl. helmet (suitable for children from approx. 5 to 8 yrs, max weight, 55 lbs/25 kg) On request Bike trailer On request Dietary requests
Gluten-free, lactose-free, or vegan $ 126 £ 64 $ 116 € 75 Ft 30175 kr 11650 ₪ 322 ¥ 12082 Mex$ 1647 NZ$ 137 kr 901 zł 327 S$ 110 kr 869 CHF 72 $ 85 Rentals
Electric bike $ 184 £ 95 $ 170 € 110 Ft 44256 kr 17086 ₪ 472 ¥ 17720 Mex$ 2415 NZ$ 201 kr 1322 zł 479 S$ 162 kr 1274 CHF 105 $ 125 Child's bike seat, incl. helmet (suitable for children from approx. 11 mo. until 5 yrs, max weight, 25 kg) On request Child's bike (21 gears) with helmet (suitable for children from approx. 9 yrs. & older) On request Tag along bike, incl. helmet (suitable for children from approx. 5 to 8 yrs, max weight, 55 lbs/25 kg) On request Bike trailer On request Dietary requests
Gluten-free, lactose-free, or vegan $ 168 £ 86 $ 154 € 100 Ft 40233 kr 15533 ₪ 429 ¥ 16109 Mex$ 2195 NZ$ 183 kr 1202 zł 436 S$ 147 kr 1158 CHF 96 $ 113 Please note that the tour prices are based on the current fuel price. Should the fuel price increase more than 5% (reference date June 2023), a supplement will be required (even for confirmed reservations).
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- 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 75m 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 kms. 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
Overall, the Loire Valley experiences a moderate continental climate during late spring to early fall, providing a favorable environment for outdoor activities, wine tourism, and enjoying the scenic beauty of the area. Do check local conditions before your arrival.
Recommended
Due to variations in wifi signal strength and speed, If you are dependent on a constant, strong, fast, and reliable signal at all times, please consider a a personal hot spot
Remarks
Please note that the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure is reserved. We advise that you check the status of your departure before making your air travel arrangements.
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.Extra Stay
If you would like to plan on extra time in the Loire Valley, We recommend Booking.com for researching and reserving your extra nights. You can read a detailed description of the hotels offered including a clear listing of amenities, but more importantly, you can view customer reviews and ratings.
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?
Photos
![Apremont-sur-Allier, Cher, France.]()
![The Boulangerie awaits in Loire Valley, France. Flickr:Paolo Trabattoni]()
![Canal a Briare in Briare, France. Flickr:JCP24M]()
![Tasty French treats to fuel the bike ride! Flickr:John Mason]()
![Nevers, France with Pont sur la Loire & Cathédrale Saint-Cyr et Sainte-Julitte. CC:Daniel VILLAFRUELA]()
![Briare is famous for its Canal. Flickr:Brian Burger]()
![Loire Valley Bike & Boat from Nevers-Briare in France]()
![Loire Valley Bike & Boat from Nevers-Briare in France]()
![Bike rest to visit the Patisserie! Flickr:Jean-Louise Zimmermann]()
![Beautiful country manors in Apremont-sur-Allier in the Loire Valley, France. Flickr:Gabriel De Siam]()
![Château d'Apremont-sur-Allier, France. CC:Lolob]()
![Sancerre Wine vineyards in the Loire Valley, France. Flickr:Barbe Rousse]()
![Ducal Palace in Nevers, France. Flickr:Jochen Jahnke]()
![Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, France.]()
![Cathedral in Nevers, Loire Valley, France. Flickr:Jerome Decq]()
![Apremont-sur-Allier in department Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, France. Flickr:Peter]()
![Scenic biking in Apremont, Loire Valley, France. Flickr:Peter]()
![Fresh poulet in the Loire Valley, France. Flickr:Ben Paulos]()
![Loire Valley Bike & Boat from Nevers-Briare in France]()
![Red grapes ripe for harvest to be seen in late Summer. Flickr:Allie_Caulfield]()
![Apremont-sur-Allier, Cher, France.]()
![Rosé Sancerre wine in France! Flickr:TIGER500]()
![Typical architecture of the Loire Valley in Nevers, France. Flickr:Daniel Jolivet]()
![Cycling past vineyards in Sancerre, Loire Valley, France. Flickr:JPC24M]()
![Sancerre wine tasting in Sancerre, France. Flickr:Jameson Fink]()
![Fancy food is what France is all about! Flickr:Jerome Decq 47.258728, 2.941589)]()
![Quiet street in Nevers, Loire Valley, France. Flickr:Daniel Jolivet]()
![Loire Valley Bike & Boat from Nevers-Briare in France]()
![Old gate in Nevers, region Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, France. Flickr:Daniel Jolivet]()
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