Loire Valley Bike & Boat
France Bike + Barge Tours
Bike the Garden of France
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1355 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 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 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 & 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 - 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 amBe sure to check out our comprehensive list of tours & trips including biking, hiking, multi-adventure, & more!
Boats & Bikes
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. €25
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2023
Standard Class
Briare to Nevers
Saturday departures
Low season: July 1, July 15, July 29, & August 12, 2023
Standard season: June 3, June 17, August 26, & October 7, 2023
High season: September 9 & September 23, 2023Nevers to Briare
Saturday departures
Low season: July 8, July 22, August 5, & October 14, 2023
Standard season: June 10, June 24, August 19, September 2, & September 30, 2023
High season: September 16, 2023Please 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
Pricing
2023
Low season Standard season High season Split level bed $ 2267 £ 1198 $ 2,013 € 1355 ₪ 5519 ¥ 207871 NZ$ 2448 NOK 16450 kr 16025 $ 1,480 $ 2468 £ 1305 $ 2,191 € 1475 ₪ 6007 ¥ 226281 NZ$ 2665 NOK 17906 kr 17444 $ 1,611 $ 2660 £ 1406 $ 2,362 € 1590 ₪ 6476 ¥ 243923 NZ$ 2873 NOK 19302 kr 18804 $ 1,736 Double bed $ 2267 £ 1198 $ 2,013 € 1355 ₪ 5519 ¥ 207871 NZ$ 2448 NOK 16450 kr 16025 $ 1,480 $ 2468 £ 1305 $ 2,191 € 1475 ₪ 6007 ¥ 226281 NZ$ 2665 NOK 17906 kr 17444 $ 1,611 $ 2660 £ 1406 $ 2,362 € 1590 ₪ 6476 ¥ 243923 NZ$ 2873 NOK 19302 kr 18804 $ 1,736 Single $ 2426 £ 1282 $ 2,154 € 1450 ₪ 5905 ¥ 222445 NZ$ 2620 NOK 17603 kr 17149 $ 1,584 $ 2585 £ 1366 $ 2,295 € 1545 ₪ 6292 ¥ 237019 NZ$ 2792 NOK 18756 kr 18272 $ 1,687 $ 2869 £ 1517 $ 2,548 € 1715 ₪ 6985 ¥ 263099 NZ$ 3099 NOK 20820 kr 20283 $ 1,873 *Prices valid from July 4, 2022.
Extra Options
2023
Electric bike: $ 159 £ 84 $ 141 € 95 ₪ 387 ¥ 14574 NZ$ 172 NOK 1153 kr 1124 $ 104 Child's bike seat, incl. helmet (suitable for children from approx. 11 mo. until 5 yrs, max weight, 25 kg): $ 25 £ 13 $ 22 € 15 ₪ 61 ¥ 2301 NZ$ 27 NOK 182 kr 177 $ 16 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
Children's discounts are offered. Please ask a tour specialist.
Gluten-free, Lactose-free or Vegan Diet: $ 125 £ 66 $ 111 € 75 ₪ 305 ¥ 11506 NZ$ 136 NOK 910 kr 887 $ 822023: Please note that the tour prices are based on the current fuel price. Should the fuel price increase more than 5% (reference date June 2022), a supplement will be required (even for confirmed reservations).
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-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.
Recommended
Due to the 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.
Soft luggage is recommended due to the limited space in the cabins.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.Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
If you would like to plan on extra time in the Loire Valley, we advise 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?
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