Northern Burgundy E-Bike & Boat

Auxerre to Moret-sur-Loing

Day 1: Auxerre
Day 2: Auxerre, 18 or 27 mi. (29 or 44 km)
Day 3: Auxerre – Joigny, 17 or 26 mi. (28 or 43 km)
Day 4: Joigny – Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, 17 or 26 mi. (28 or 43 km)
Day 5: Villeneuve-sur-Yonne – Sens, 17 or 32 mi. (28 or 52 km)
Day 6: Sens – Pont-sur-Yonne, 12 or 26 mi. (20 or 42 km)
Day 7: Pont-sur-Yonne – Vinneuf | Vinneuf – Moret-sur-Loing, 21 or 24 mi. (35 or 40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Moret-sur-Loing

All 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 Burgundy tour begins with embarkation and check-in at 2 pm. Meet your captain, crew, and tour leader, followed by bike fitting. After dinner on board, enjoy an evening stroll through Auxerre, known for its Gothic cathedral, elegant spires, and 16th-century timber houses lining the historic town centre.

Day 2: Auxerre, 18 or 27 mi. (29 or 44 km)
You may choose a leisurely day in Auxerre or set out on your first ride along the Yonne River. Visit the “Caves de Bailly,” known for Crémant de Bourgogne and impressive limestone cellars. Nearby vineyards such as St-Bris and Irancy are also worth seeing, as is the Chapelle de Bailly with works by painter George Hosotte.

Day 3: Auxerre – Joigny, 17 or 26 mi. (28 or 43 km)
Cycle north through the Yonne Valley toward Joigny. The longer route explores Brienon-sur-Armançon, while the shorter option follows the riverside. In Migennes, where the Burgundy Canal meets the Yonne, rejoin the barge for an afternoon sail to Joigny, a charming wine town with Renaissance façades and historic churches.

Day 4: Joigny – Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, 17 or 26 mi. (28 or 43 km)
Begin the day with a loop through the surrounding vineyards, including a tasting of local Burgundy wines. Return to Joigny for lunch, then continue cycling to Saint-Julien-du-Sault to visit the 13th-century church of Saint-Pierre and its stained-glass windows. The day ends in Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, a pleasant town with medieval gate towers and riverside gardens.

Day 5: Villeneuve-sur-Yonne – Sens, 17 or 32 mi. (28 or 52 km)
Choose between a short, flat route along the Yonne or a longer loop into the hills, where you can stop at the cider museum “de Pomme et de Cidre.” Continue to Sens, one of France’s oldest towns, home to the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne—the first of the great Gothic cathedrals. Dinner is at leisure in town.

Day 6: Sens – Pont-sur-Yonne, 12 or 26 mi. (20 or 42 km)
Spend the morning in Sens with a guided visit to the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne. The longer cycling option continues through the scenic Oreuse Valley, while the shorter ride gives additional time to explore Sens. Both routes lead to Pont-sur-Yonne, a peaceful riverside village.

Day 7: Pont-sur-Yonne – Vinneuf | Vinneuf – Moret-sur-Loing, 21 or 24 mi. (35 or 40 km)
Your final cycling day leaves the riverbanks behind for a forested route toward Moret-sur-Loing. This medieval town, known for its tranquil beauty, inspired painter Alfred Sisley. Explore the historic streets and the 12th-century Church of Notre-Dame as you conclude your ride.

Day 8: Moret-sur-Loing
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before disembarkation by 9:30 am and farewell to the crew and fellow travelers.

Moret-sur-Loing to Auxerre 

Day 1: Moret-sur-Loing
Day 2: Moret – Montereau – Pont-sur-Yonne, 22 or 25 mi. (37 or 41 km)
Day 3: Pont-sur-Yonne – Sens, 12 or 26 mi. (20 or 42 km)
Day 4: Sens – Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, 17 or 32 mi. (28 or 52 km)
Day 5: Villeneuve-sur-Yonne – Joigny, 14 or 29 mi. (23 or 47 km)
Day 6: Joigny – Auxerre, 15 or 23 mi. (25 or 38 km)
Day 7: Auxerre, 18 or 26 mi. (30 or 42 km)
Day 8: Departure from Auxerre

Day 1: Moret-sur-Loing
Your tour begins with embarkation and check-in at 2 pm. After a warm welcome from the captain, crew, and tour leader, you’ll be fitted with your bicycle. Dinner is served on board. Later, enjoy an evening stroll through Moret-sur-Loing, a fortified medieval town on the Loing River and a place that inspired the impressionist painter Alfred Sisley.

Day 2: Moret – Montereau – Pont-sur-Yonne, 21 or 24 mi. (37 or 41 km)
Enjoy breakfast on board as the ship sails to Montereau-fault-Yonne, located at the confluence of the Yonne and Seine rivers. Here you can visit the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Loup collegiate church, built between the 12th and 14th centuries and listed as a Historic Monument. From Montereau, cycle through Montmachoux and continue to Pont-sur-Yonne, a friendly riverside town where the barge moors for the night.

Day 3: Pont-sur-Yonne – Sens, 13 or 26 mi. (20 or 42 km)
Choose between a shorter route along the river valley or a longer countryside loop. Your destination is Sens, one of France’s oldest towns, home to the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne—the first of the great Gothic cathedrals. Afterwards, enjoy time to explore the marketplace and historic streets. Nearby is Parc du Moulin à Tan, a 10-hectare park featuring a rose garden, arboretum, animal enclosure, and playground. Dinner is at leisure in town tonight.

Day 4: Sens – Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, 18 or 33 mi. (28 or 52 km)
Today you have two cycling options: a shorter route along the Yonne River or a longer route into the hills with a visit to the “de Pomme et de Cidre” museum, including a tasting. In the evening, explore the medieval gates and charming gardens of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, where the barge docks overnight.

Day 5: Villeneuve-sur-Yonne – Joigny, 15 or 29 mi. (23 or 47 km)
Cycle to Saint-Julien-du-Sault to visit the 13th-century Saint-Pierre church, known for its stained-glass windows. Continue to Joigny and enjoy an afternoon loop through the surrounding vineyards. Your tour leader will also guide a tasting of local Burgundy wines. Joigny offers many points of interest, including Renaissance façades, historic townhouses, and beautiful old churches.

Day 6: Joigny – Auxerre, 16 or 23 mi. (25 or 38 km)
Enjoy breakfast while the ship sails to Migennes, where you begin cycling again. Follow the Yonne River south toward Auxerre, noted for its Gothic cathedral, timber-framed houses, 15th-century clock tower, and historic port. Explore the town at your own pace this afternoon.

Day 7: Auxerre, 18 or 26 mi. (30 or 42 km)
Spend the day exploring Auxerre on foot or join a guided ride along the Yonne. Visit the Caves de Bailly, known for Crémant de Bourgogne and limestone cellars. Nearby vineyards such as St-Bris and Irancy are excellent stops, as is the Chapelle de Bailly, home to paintings by George Hosotte.

Day 8: Auxerre
Enjoy a final breakfast on board. Disembarkation continues until 9:30 am.

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• Clair d’Etoile

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  4.2 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

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  Formerly called the Zwaantje, the Clair d’Etoile (meaning "Starlight") is a lovely passenger barge. The boat has 10 cabins with twin beds and 2 cabins with double beds. A large common room with heating, air conditioning, large panoramic windows, a restaurant area, lounge corner, and a small bar are located on the upper deck. Read More