Northern Burgundy
France Bike + Barge Tours
Bike & Barge tour in France in Northern Burgundy
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1494 Rates
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Overview
This bike and boat tour in Northern Burgundy, land of fine art and living, offers you a taste of the Burgundy way of life. Burgundy is known throughout the world for its laid-back pace of life, friendliness, and mild climate.
The cultural experiences, such as visiting the gothic cathedral of Sens, or the cities of art and culture, Auxerre and Joigny, and the biking itself, which alternates between easy stretches along the Yonne River and more challenging uphill sections, will leave you feeling enriched, enlightened and recharged.
This is an area perfect for cycling featuring a landscape of gently rolling hills, imposing castles, ancient monasteries, serene medieval villages, and above all else, some of the best wines, cheeses, honey, and ciders you have ever tasted!
Highlights
- Gothic cathedral of Sens
- Auxerre and Joigny, cities of art and culture
- Burgundy wines and various wine tastings
- Apiculture's Living Museum
Be sure to check out our full list of Bike and Barge tours in France.
Itinerary
Day 1: Auxerre
Day 2: Auxerre, 18 or 26 mi. (30 or 42 km)
Day 3: Auxerre – Joigny, 16 or 23 mi. (26 or 38 km)
Day 4: Joigny – Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, 14 or 26 mi. (21 or 42 km)
Day 5: Villeneuve-sur-Yonne – Sens, 18 or 33 mi. (28 or 52 km)
Day 6: Sens – Pont-sur-Yonne, 13 or 26 mi. (20 or 42 km)
Day 7: Pont-sur-Yonne – Montereau – Moret, 21 or 24 mi. (33 or 40 km)
Day 8: Moret-sur-LoingAll distances are approximate. The planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons and other unforeseen circumstances. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety, even without advance notice. Not all highlights indicated will be visited on the shorter itinerary.
Day 1: Auxerre
Your bike and boat tour featuring the Burgundy region begins with embarkation and check-in at 2 pm in Auxerre. Your captain, crew, and tour leader will give you a warm welcome followed by a bike fitting. After a delicious dinner onboard, there is ample time to take a starlit stroll through the beautiful river town of Auxerre with her majestic church spires, streets lined with 16th-century timber houses and the cathedral of Saint-Etienne, a true masterpiece of Gothic art.Day 2: Auxerre, 18 or 26 mi. (30 or 42 km)
Today you have the option to either stay, relax and take in more of the sights of Auxerre, or begin your cycling adventure with your guide leading you along the Yonne river en route to “Caves be Bailly”. This vineyard is famous for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and limestone caves. The nearby vineyards of St Bris and Irancy are also well worth a visit, as are the paintings of George Hosotte in the Chapelle de Bailly.Day 3: Auxerre – Joigny, 16 or 23 mi. (26 or 38 km)
Today we strike out north, cycling through the Yonne river valley toward Joigny. If you choose the longer cycling route, you’ll get to see the charming countryside of Brienon-sur Armencon from where you’ll follow the beautiful Burgundy canal to Migennes where the Burgundy canal crosses the river Yonne and where you’ll rejoin the ship for a relaxed afternoon sail to Joigny, a picturesque little town that has a long and storied wine history as well as several historical monuments, ancient churches, and townhouses with carved renaissance facades from the 16th and 17th centuries.Day 4: Joigny – Villeneuve-sur-Yonnem, 14 or 26 mi. (21 or 42 km)
What better way to start the day than with a loop through the local vineyards for a tasting of some of Burgundy’s finest wines? You’ll return to Joigny for lunch, after which you have the option to either hop on the ship for a leisurely sail to Villeneuve sur Yonne or jump back in the saddle for an afternoon ride to the town of Saint-Julien-du-Sault where you can visit the 13th-century Saint-Pierre church with its magnificent stained-glass windows. The ships docks for the night in the lovely, lesser-known French town of Villeneuve where you are free to explore the medieval gate towers and the romantic string of gardens as the sun sets over the countryside.
Day 5: Villeneuve-sur-Yonne – Sens, 18 or 33 mi. (28 or 52 km)
Day five also offers two cycling options – the short option follows the river Yonne, while the longer option takes you into the hills for a rewarding taste of the fine cider produced at the museum ‘de Pomme et de cidre’. Next stop is Sens, one of the oldest towns in France where you’ll visit the first of the greater gothic cathedrals in France, Cathedral Saint-Etienne. There will be plenty of time afterward to shop, stroll through the marketplace, or wander around town to acquaint yourself with the many restaurants Sens has to offer as today there is no dinner onboard.Day 6: Sens – Pont-sur-Yonne, 13 or 26 mi. (20 or 42 km)
If you decide to brave the longer cycle route on day six, it leads to a local honey producer where you can sample their delicious wild honey. However, the shorter option affords you more time to explore Sens at your leisure before you cycle through to Pont-sur-Yonne, a charming riverside town.Day 7: Pont-sur-Yonne – Montereau – Moret, 21 or 24 mi. (33 or 40 km)
On our final day’s biking, we’ll visit Montereau-fault-Yonne, a town situated at the confluence of the Yonne and Seine rivers. Here, the thousand-year-old Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Loup collegiate church is well worth a visit. At Montereau we hop back on board the ship for a dinner cruise to our final destination, the charming medieval fortified town of Moret-sur-Loing where the famous painter Sisley drew inspiration for his work.Day 8: Moret-sur-Loing
You bid your captain, crew, tour guide and fellow passengers a fond farewell as we enjoy one last breakfast together while disembarkation continues until 9:30 am.Day 1: Moret-sur-Loing
Day 2: Moret – Montereau – Pont sur Yonne, 21 or 24 mi. (33 or 40 km)
Day 3: Pont sur Yonne – Sens, 13 or 26 mi. (20 or 42 km)
Day 4: Sens – Villeneuve sur Yonne, 18 or 33 mi. (28 or 52 km)
Day 5: Villeneuve sur Yonne – Joigny, 14 or 26 mi. (21 or 42 km)
Day 6: Joigny – Auxerre, 16 or 23 mi. (25 or 38 km)
Day 7: Auxerre, 18 or 26 mi. (30 or 42 km)
Day 8: AuxerreDay 1: Moret-sur-Loing
The first day of your tour begins with embarkation and check-in at 2 p.m. After a warm welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader, you’ll be fitted with a bike for the tour. Dinner will be served onboard, after which you can enjoy a moonlit stroll through Moret-sur-Loing, a charming medieval fortified town, situated on the banks of the Loing, where the painter Sisley found inspiration for his beautiful impressionist paintings.Day 2: Moret – Montereau – Pont sur Yonne, 21 or 24 mi. (33 or 40 km)
Day two begins with a leisurely breakfast while sailing to the town of Montereau-fault-Yonne, situated at the confluence of the Yonne and the Seine rivers. In Montereau you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Loup collegiate church. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, this church has been officially classified as a Historic Monument.From Montereau, you will follow the canals of the river Yonne to Pont-sur-Yonne, a quaint, friendly town where we will dock for the night.
Day 3: Pont sur Yonne – Sens, 13 or 26 mi. (20 or 42 km)
Today you have the option to follow the river valley to the town of Sens or take a longer ride into the countryside and visit a local honey producer. Sens is one of the oldest towns in France, here you’ll visit the first of the greater gothic cathedrals in France, Cathedral Saint-Etienne. There will be plenty of time afterward to shop, stroll through the marketplace or wander around town.Near the town you’ll find the 10-hectare Parc du moulin a Tan, through which the Vanne and the Lingue run. The Parc du moulin a Tan is a precursor of the town’s project for a green belt, which should ultimately go right around Sens. It’s named after an obscure type of mill that dates back to 1887 and was used to grind oak bark to make tanbark, a powder used in leather tanning. The Parc du moulin a Tan includes a rose garden, an animal enclosure, an arboretum, and a playground.
Day 4: Sens – Villeneuve sur Yonne, 18 or 33 mi. (28 or 52 km)
Once more, your day begins with two cycling options. The shorter one stays closer to the river, where the longer one takes you through the hills to the museum ‘de Pomme et de cidre’ where you’ll be rewarded with a taste of the fine cider they produce here. We dock for the night in the lovely, lesser-known French town of Villeneuve where you are free to explore the medieval gate towers and the romantic string of gardens as the sun sets over the countryside.Day 5: Villeneuve sur Yonne – Joigny, 14 or 26 mi. (21 or 42 km)
Today you’ll start the morning with a beautiful bike tour to the town of Saint-Julien-du-Sault where you can visit the 13th-century Saint-Pierre church with its magnificent stained-glass windows. You’ll then continue to Joigny where you’ll follow a lazy loop through the local vineyards in the afternoon sunshine. Then (one of the highlights of the tour for wine-lovers!) the tour leader will show you some places to taste the fine Burgundy wines.Joigny, a picturesque little town with a very long and successful wine history, has several sights worth visiting, including numerous historical monuments, unique townhouses from the 16th-17th centuries, with carved renaissance facades, and ancient churches.
Day 6: Joigny – Auxerre, 16 or 23 mi. (25 or 38 km)
Another leisurely breakfast aboard as we sail to Migennes at the junction of the Burgundy canal, once a center of the shipping industry. You’ll hop back on your bike at Migennes to follow the beautiful Burgundy canal as you head south to Auxerre with her majestic church spires, streets lined with 16th century timber houses and the cathedral of Saint-Etienne, a true masterpiece of Gothic art. You can also stroll along the old port or visit the 15th-century clock tower. Today there is no dinner on board, so you are free to choose one of the local restaurants for dinner.Day 7: Auxerre, 18 or 26 mi. (30 or 42 km)
On day seven of your tour, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding how to spend your day. If you’d like to spend a lazy day strolling around Auxerre, feel free to enjoy this beautiful city however you choose!If you’re itching to get back in the saddle, then explore the area of Auxerre together with your guide. Cycle along the Yonne to visit ‘Caves be Bailly’, a vineyard is famous for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and limestone caves. The nearby vineyards of St Bris and Irancy are also well worth a visit, as are the paintings of George Hosotte in the Chapelle de Bailly.
Day 8: Auxerre
The final day of this memorable trip begins with a farewell breakfast onboard after which disembarkation continues until 9:30 am.Looking for a different flavor? Check out our entire list of bike and boat tours or view all our featured bike trips, news, and specials.
Boats & Bikes
- Zwaantje
Comfort Class Barge
The MPS Zwaantje, which means "Little Swan", is a wonderful comfort class barge. The boat has 10 cabins with twin beds and 2 cabins with double beds. A nice and cozy salon with heating, air conditioning, large panoramic windows, a restaurant area, lounge corner and a small bar are on the upper deck. Read More
- Fleur
Comfort Class Barge
This small, yet very tasteful passenger barge with its sleek lines was built to fit the smaller locks and canals in France and has been cruising the French waters ever since. In 2018, Steffie Kranz and Evert Jan Muurling, took over ownership. Their years of experience and commitment are reflected in every detail and guarantee that your vacation will be a pleasant one. The whole barge radiates a homelike atmosphere. You will love the upper deck lounge with large windows and the partially covered… Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- 7 nights accommodations
- Climate-controlled cabin
- 7 breakfasts, packed lunches, & 6 three-course dinners
- Welcome drink
- Coffee and tea on board
- Daily cleaning of cabins
- Daily tour briefings
- Fully guided cycling itinerary (from 18 guests, two guides will cycle with two different groups)
- Zwaantje: Unisex hybrid city tour bike with 21 gears and handbrakes. Accessories include lock, pannier bag, helmet, & water bottle.
- Fleur: Unisex hybrid city touring bike with 11 gears and handbrakes. Accessories include lock, pannier bag, helmet, & water bottle
- Bike protection
- A few guided walking tours
- Entrance Apiculture’s Living Museum
- Cathedral Sens Visit
- Wine tasting in Bailly
- Ferry fees
- Wifi
What’s Not Included
- 1 dinner in Sens or Auxerre
- Beverages including alcoholic
- Entrance fees and excursions not mentioned as included
- Electric bike rental available with supplement.
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2021
Comfort vessels
Fleur
Tuesday to Tuesday
Moret-sur-Loing to Auxerre: June 1, June 15, June 29, & July 13, 2021
Auxerre to Moret-sur-Loing: June 8, June 22, July 6, & July 20, 2021Zwaantje
Tuesday to Tuesday
Moret-sur-Loing to Auxerre: August 24 & September 7, 2021
Auxerre to Moret-sur-Loing: August 17, August 31, & September 14, 2021Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2021
Fleur & Zwaantje
Twin cabin: $ 2399 £ 1353 $ 2,357 € 1494 NZ$ 2570 kr 15330 $ 1,850 Twin cabin for single use: $ 3506 £ 1977 $ 3,445 € 2184 NZ$ 3756 kr 22404 $ 2,704
Extra Options
Electric bike: $ 185 £ 104 $ 181 € 115 NZ$ 198 kr 1180 $ 142
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
Easy to moderate bike and boat tour with cycling that alternates between easy stretches of free-wheeling alongside the river Yonne and more challenging uphill sections that lead to spectacular views.
Airport Info
Fly to Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
Local Travel
Paris to Auxerre:
Train:
From the Aeroport Charles De Gaulle 2 TGV, you can access a train to Chatelet Les Halles. Trains depart every 15 minutes and cost approx. €10. From here, you access the subway to Bercy. From Bercy, trains depart every 3 hours to Auxerre and costs approx. €30. Total travel time is about 3 1/2 hours and includes transfer time of about 1 hour.
Bus:
If you prefer to travel by bus, from Charles De Gaulle airport, you can take the bus that departs hourly from Transit terminals 2A or 2C to Orly South (Paris Orly Airport). Travel time is just over 1 hour. From here, you then access bus to Auxerre. Travel time is 1 hr. 45 min. Total travel time with one hour transfer is 4 hours and total costs are between €25 to €31.
Paris to Moret:
Train:
From the Aeroport Charles De Gaulle 2 TGV, you can access a train to Chatelet Les Halles. Trains depart every 15 minutes and cost approx. €10. From here you access the train to Paris Gare de Lyon, and then onward to Moret Veneux Les Sablons, the train station in Moret-sur-Loing. Total travel time is 2 hours which includes transfer times. Total cost is €20 - €27.
Bus and train:
If you prefer to travel by bus, from Charles De Gaulle airport, you can take the bus that departs hourly from Transit terminals 2A or 2C to Gare de Lyon and then onward by train to Moret Veneux Les Sablons. Total travel time is 2 hours and the total cost is €27 to €31.Remarks
With 18 guests or more, the daily cycling tours will be accompanied by two knowledgeable and multilingual tour leaders. On most days, the tour leaders will offer a long and a short (or a quicker and a more relaxed) cycling option. The option for a long tour is also depending on weather conditions and wishes of the group. When there are less than 18 guests aboard, the tours will be accompanied by one tour leader. During days when two bicycle options are possible, the tour leader will make a choice to guide the longer or the shorter option after consultation of the group.
Important to know
DOCUMENTS
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) 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 Boat Bike Tours.
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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