Seine River Valley E-Bike & Boat
France Bike + Barge Tours
Paris into Normandy
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€2640 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This electric bike and boat tour follows the Seine River as it meanders picturesquely in wide loops through the Ile de France and Normandy, connecting Paris with the sea. It is a region that has experienced a turbulent past, from the invasions of the fierce Vikings right through to more recent times with the battle scars of WWII still apparent.
Today, Normandy is an idyllic, peaceful place, laced with farmland, and dotted with orchards and half-timbered villages, its ancient history found in the romantic ruins and magnificent châteaux. Painters and poets were inspired here. You will be too.
The highlights of the trip are the historic city of Rouen and the coastal town of Étretat, which lies between steep chalk cliffs. A visit to the picturesque water lily garden of Monét and the varied city tour in Paris round off the landscape and cultural experience along the river.
Highlights
- Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Étretat & Paris
- Picturesque landscapes of Île de France with Giverny, Les Andelys and Normandy
- The Orangery in Paris with Monet's water lily cycle
- Alabaster Coast
- Accommodations on the Viva, state of the art river cruise ship
- Stress-free battery-assisted cycling with a support vehicle
Take a look at our full list of bike & barge tours in France.
Itinerary
Day 1: Paris
Day 2: Rouen, walking, 1.8 mi. (3 km)
Day 3: Rouen - Jumieges - Rouen, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Caudebec-en-Caux - Côte d´Albatre, 38 km (60 km)
Day 5: Les Andelys - Vernon, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Savoir-vivre on the Seine
Day 7: Paris, 17 mi. (28 km)
Day 8: Departure or extension in ParisAll distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change, at times without prior notice. Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.
Day 1: Arrival onboard in Paris
At 5 p.m. your tour guides will welcome you onboard in Paris for embarkation. After you settle into your cabin, your tour guide will explain the itinerary to you. At 9 p.m., the Viva will cast off and set course towards Normandy.Day 2: Rouen, capital of Normandy
You leave the Ile de France during the night but wake up in Normandy in the morning. The ship traverses the wide loops of the Seine, passing pretty villages, lush green meadows, and thickly overgrown hills. In the afternoon, you enjoy a guided tour of the old town of Rouen, strolling on medieval streets and through the alleys. The mighty towers of the cathedral tower over the roofs of the city. It was here Joan of Arc was burned as a witch. As soon as the sun has set, the cathedral is illuminated with a light show, accompanied by music (June 1st to September 15th). It is recommended that you watch this free performance after dinner. It is only a 15-minute walk from the ship to the cathedral portal.Day 3: Rouen - Jumieges - Rouen, 28 mi. (45 km), mighty monasteries
You depart by electric bike not far from the jetty, riding out of the city on side streets. Today you cycle on the "Route of the Romanesque Monasteries". You will cross two of the most beautiful river loops in the heart of Normandy. On the way, you will reach the magnificent ruins of the monastery of Jumièges. This 11th-century Benedictine abbey is one of the most impressive ruins in France. At lunchtime, your tour guides will prepare a delicious picnic for you. A short transfer in the afternoon will bring you back into the city to the ship. In the evening, the ship continues navigating towards the Atlantic.Day 4: Caudebec-en-Caux - Côte d´Albatre, 38 km (60 km), Alabaster Coast
The morning's highlight is the wonderful Côte d´Albatre, the most spectacular section of the Norman coast. The small seaside resort of Étretat lies magically between the steep chalk cliffs. The breathtaking beauty of this landscape will be especially lovely as you hike on a cliff path with amazing views. The imposing, needle-shaped formations have already inspired many great artists, including Boudin, Monet, and Manet. After a short break, you cycle through Norman villages, past large farms with white cattle and small châteaux to Tancarville. From here the transfer will bring you back to the ship in Caudebec-en-Caux.Day 5: Les Andelys - Vernon, 31 mi. (50 km), Lionheart Ritterburg on White Cliffs & Monet's home
Your ship arrives at Les Andelys early in the morning. Here the Seine loops wide and has washed steep cliffs out of the limestone. The mighty ruins of Richard the Lionheart tower above the river offers a romantic view of the small half-timbered village at the foot of high, white cliffs. From Les Andelys, you cycle first along the Seine and then back over a high path to the graceful ruins of Richard the Lionheart. Your guide explains the importance and dramatic decline of the castle. Walk the last few meters back to the ship. At noon, the ship casts off and continues towards Vernon, an old half-timbered mill town, arriving in the early afternoon.First, you cycle a bit upstream on a former railway line to Giverny and Monet's water lily ponds and gardens. The world-famous impressionist lived here for 50 years and his green and pink house is as he left it. It is densely overgrown by a wonderful garden that the artist created himself and that has inspired many of his pictures. After a stroll through the extensive complex, you follow the course of the Seine on side paths to the impressive La Roche Guyon castle, built up against the limestone cliff. From his garden, you have a wonderful view of the Seine. Your guides will explain the history of the chateau to you. In the evening you have time to enjoy the amenities onboard.
Day 6: Savoir-vivre on the Seine
Today, enjoy a full day onboard your ship on a leisure cruise on the meandering Seine through the Ile de France to Paris. In the afternoon, your guide will provide an informative session about the country and its people. This is the perfect day to enjoy the passing river scenery and let yourself be pampered onboard. Overnight and dinner on board.Day 7: Paris, 17 mi. (28 km). Orangerie Urban Quarters
You cycle to Tuileries Gardens. In the middle of the gardens is the Orangery Museum, which houses the impressive Water Lilies by Monet and a remarkable collection of works by Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso or Matisse, and the Jeu de Paume. During a detailed tour, you will learn more about the painter Monet and his contemporaries. In the afternoon, the final highlight awaits you with a visit to the Musée Rodin.Paris has countless museums, many of which are among the most important and famous in the world. The small Rodin Museum shows the unique art of France's most famous sculptor. The age of modern sculpture began with Auguste Rodin. Together with his student and lover Camille Claudel, he created works whose intense sensuality touches the viewer deeply. One of his masterpieces is “The Kiss”, whose passion, frozen in marble, fascinates every visitor. A pretty, small park adjoins the museum, which shows other important sculptures by the master such as “The Thinker” and “The Citizens of Calais”. In the evening you will be served an excellent final dinner on board.
Day 8: Departure or extension in Paris
After breakfast on board, disembarkation takes place in Paris. Of course, it is advisable to extend another night (or two) in Paris in order to experience this lively and fascinating city even more extensively.Browse our variety of trips, including biking, hiking, multi-adventure, cruising, and villa stays!
Map
Boats & Bikes
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights in the selected category of cabin
- Breakfast
- Lunch as a picnic buffet or as a buffet on board according to the program
- 7 multi-course dinners in buffet form
- All drinks are included on this trip, with the exception of champagne, bottled wine, & exclusive rarities
- Support vehicle
- Electric bike
- Fully guided cycling itinerary
- All visits & admissions as indicated in the itinerary
- All transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Departure airport transfer
What’s Not Included
- Helmet
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2023
Thursday departures
May 4, June 15, June 22, August 17, & September 21, 2023
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
Pricing
2023
Deluxe Class
Category A: Lower deck cabin, double/twin bed (size 200 x 160 cm), portholes
Category C: Main deck cabin, double/twin bed (size 200 x 160 cm), french balcony
Category D: Upper deck cabin, double/twin bed (size 200 x 160 cm), french balconyCategory A $ 5952 £ 3133 $ 5,173 € 3525 kr 523212 ₪ 14598 ¥ 568532 Mex$ 70500 NZ$ 6434 NOK 41335 kr 42701 $ 3,834 Category C $ 6725 £ 3540 $ 5,845 € 3983 kr 591192 ₪ 16495 ¥ 642401 Mex$ 79660 NZ$ 7270 NOK 46706 kr 48249 $ 4,332 Category D $ 7110 £ 3742 $ 6,180 € 4211 kr 625034 ₪ 17439 ¥ 679174 Mex$ 84220 NZ$ 7686 NOK 49379 kr 51011 $ 4,580 Category A for single-use $ 8441 £ 4443 $ 7,336 € 4999 kr 741996 ₪ 20702 ¥ 806267 Mex$ 99980 NZ$ 9125 NOK 58620 kr 60556 $ 5,437 Category C for single-use $ 9675 £ 5092 $ 8,409 € 5730 kr 850498 ₪ 23730 ¥ 924167 Mex$ 114600 NZ$ 10459 NOK 67192 kr 69412 $ 6,233 Because of rising fuel costs, prices are subject to change.
Extra Options
Helmet rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1484 ₪ 41 ¥ 1613 Mex$ 200 NZ$ 18 NOK 117 kr 121 $ 11 Arrival transfer from Paris Airport, 1 - 3 people: $ 51 £ 27 $ 44 € 30 kr 4453 ₪ 124 ¥ 4839 Mex$ 600 NZ$ 55 NOK 352 kr 363 $ 33 * Departure transfer to Paris Airport, 1 - 3 people: $ 51 £ 27 $ 44 € 30 kr 4453 ₪ 124 ¥ 4839 Mex$ 600 NZ$ 55 NOK 352 kr 363 $ 33 *
*Transfer prices subject to change due to rising fuel costs.
C02 compensation: $ 35 £ 19 $ 31 € 21 kr 3117 ₪ 87 ¥ 3387 Mex$ 420 NZ$ 38 NOK 246 kr 254 $ 23
Please note that transfer reservations must be made well in advance of your tour date. Transfer distance is 11 mi. (18 km) and transfer time is 20-25 minutes of travel.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
Rating a tour is one of the most difficult things we do. The bike route takes you through the picturesque landscape of the Seine Valley along the flat river slopes. The total distance by e-bike and on foot is 189 km. The bike routes mostly run on cycle paths with little traffic or on small side streets. All gradients are easy to ride with e-bikes! On an electric bike, we are giving this tour an easy rating. On your premium pedelec equipped with Bosch or Shimano mid-mounted motor, you can decide how much assistance you require. The difficulty rating will be entirely up to you.
Airport Info
The closest international airport is Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG).
Local Travel
The airport is located approx. 35 km northeast of Paris. The RER trains are the most practical and fastest way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to central Paris. The ride with the RER B takes about 35 minutes. The price for a single ticket is € 10 (no discounts for children). There are two RER stations at Charles de Gaulle Airport: Terminal 1-3 and Terminal 2. A quick look at your flight ticket usually reveals to which terminal your flight is arriving and/or departing. Charles de Gaulle Airport is very well signposted. To get to the RER, you just have to follow the signs “Paris by train” after leaving the baggage area. The RER train stops in all Paris RER stations (Gare du Nord, Châtelet Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Denfert Rochereau and Cité Universitaire). From there you can change to the metro trains. The ticket for the RER transfer from the airport to the city center is also valid for the metro, so you don’t have to buy a new ticket. Please book your flight so that you arrive at the airport no later than 3 pm, otherwise, you run the risk of yourself arriving too late at the meeting point on board the ship (5 pm) and unable to take part in the panorama tour.
Climate
The weather in Central France and Normandy can be capricious. During the day, the climate is usually pleasantly warm. In the evening it can get noticeably cooler. In addition to clothing for dinner and cycling clothes, don’t forget your swimsuit!
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.CO2 Compensation
The CO2 compensation program benefits the non-profit Wilderness International Foundation based in Germany and Canada. The aim of the foundation is to protect unique, intact, natural areas in the temperate rain forest on Canada's west coast. The protected areas are located in British Columbia's Toba Valley, about 160km north of Vancouver. There, the foundation buys wilderness areas that are legally protected in the long term by being entered in the land register. This in turn, benefits us all. The costs cover the compensation within the destination (excluding arrival and departure travel).
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.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Terranova.
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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