Seine Valley Bike and Barge
8 Days Starting in Paris, France and ending in Montargis, France
Visiting: Paris, Melun, Fontainebleau, Nemours, Néronville, Montargis
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SVB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 20
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the picturesque Seine Valley with our "Seine Valley Bike and Barge" tour. This unique adventure combines the charm of cycling through France's stunning landscapes with the comfort of a barge cruise. Starting in the iconic city of Paris, you'll explore enchanting chateaus, royal gardens, and quaint villages. Highlights include visits to the Chateau of Fontainebleau, the artistic village of Barbizon, and the medieval town of Ferrières. Enjoy daily cycling routes ranging from 19 to 34 miles, with bikes and e-bikes provided. Relish 7 nights aboard a comfortable barge, complete with ensuite twin-share cabins, and savor delicious meals prepared on board. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration, nature, and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for cycling enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Embarkation In Paris Early Afternoon
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive at the barge in Paris, with embarkation at 1:00pm (on the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board from 11.00 am). There will be a welcome briefing with your guide and an introduction to the crew then the boat will depart Paris and travel along the Seine to Evry, where we dock for the night.
Day 2 : Morning Cruise And Cycle Along The Seine, Continue By Bike To Melun (30Km/19Mi)
Location: Melun
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we begin cycling from the lock of Evry. As we cycle we'll stay along the banks of the river for a while. The first stop is the typical French market of Corbeil-Essonnes. Our destination is Melun, known as ‘le domaine des reines blanches’, because in former years it was the domain of the widows of the French kings.
Day 3 : Cycle Through The Forests And Visit The Chateau Of Fointainbleau (40Km/25Mi)
Location: Fontainebleau
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we cycle through the wonderful forests of Fontainebleau. We head to the artistic village of Barbizon, where painters have found inspiration since the first half of the 19th century. At the time, a group of landscape painters formed the ‘school of Barbizon’. Here you can visit the local museum. Afterwards we continue towards the palace of Fontainebleau, which was much in favour among the French kings due to the extensive hunting possibilities in the surrounding forest. In the castle itself there is a museum dedicated to Napoleon, among other things. Fontainebleau is also a pleasant town to walk around or to shop in. We'll find the boat again in Moret-sur-Loing, a charming medieval fortified town, strategically situated on the banks of the Loing. The painter Sisley found inspiration for his beautiful Impressionist paintings here.
Day 4 : Cycle In The Loing Valley En Route To Nemours (38 Or 49Km/23 Or 31Mi)
Location: Nemours
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The cycle route continues along the valley of the Loing and visits Grez-sur-Loing, where many artists lived in the early years of the 20th Century. In the charming town hall of Bourron-Marlotte you can admire a few magnificent Impressionist paintings. We will meet the Fleur again in Nemours. Nemours is supposed to derive its name from the woods (nemora) in the midst of which it formerly stood, with Gallo-Roman relics indicate its early origin. The castle, erected around 1120, is now a prehistoric museum of the Ile-de-France region.
Day 5 : Morning Cruise, Bike Through Woods To Neronville (35 Or 45Km/22 Or 27Mi)
Location: Néronville
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we'll enjoy breakfast as the boat cruises. Today's cycle is through a wooded area with rugged rocks. Before lunch we will visit the sculpture garden Jardin Bourdelle, where you can admire some 57 bronze monumental sculptures by the artist Antoine Bourdelle. Around lunchtime we will reach the village of Egréville, which has been an important commercial crossroads for hundreds of years. Its markets and fairs enjoyed great renown. Continue to today's destination, the rural town of Néronville.
Day 6 : Visit The Abbey Of St Severin Before Continuing On To Montargis (31 Or 55Km/19 Or 34Mi)
Location: Montargis
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today you will first cycle to Chateau-Landon, a beautifully situated town with narrow streets, ramparts and wash houses, and the Abbey of St Séverin from the 13th century. The cycle continues to the medieval town of Ferrières with its old town centre, which has been preserved beautifully. And in the middle of the narrow streets you find a splendid monastery. Our destination is Montargis, the second largest town of the Loiret after Orléans. Unfortunately this former royal residence was destroyed by a fire in the 16th Century, but the canals are still there. They are decorated with many flowers and give the town a lot of charm. Today there is no dinner on board, you are free to dine in a local restaurant.
Day 7 : Explore Montargis And Surrounds By Bike (45Km/28Mi)
Location: Montargis
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Montargis we bike along the l’Ouanne to Château-Renard, where we can visit the ruins of a castle from the 10th century. We will also visit an Apiculture’s Living Museum to see beekeepers and their bees at work, and to sample some delicious honey. Return to the barge in Montargis.
Day 8 : Trip Concludes In Montargis
Location: Montargis
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast. Disembarkation is in Montargis by 9:30am.
What's Included
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Accommodation
BARGE -
7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwich
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7 nights accommodation aboard a Comfort category barge in a cabin with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. The compact cabins are configured with twin lower beds.
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2024: 11 speed trekking bike rental with pannier and helmet (electric bike available on request - supplement applies) 2025: This is an e-bike only tour - E-bike rental included plus helmet, pannier, lock
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Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
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Daily coffee and tea until 4pm
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Multilingual tour leader for fully guided cycling tours and daily briefings (two for groups of 18 or more)
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Cycling Map (1 per cabin) plus navigational App with GPS tracks
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Entrance to Bourdelle garden and an Apiculture's Living Museum, guided visit of Chateau-Landon and visit of town hall Bourron-Marlotte
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Daily cabin cleaning
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Ferry fees
What's Not Included
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Drinks and other items of a personal nature
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1 dinner
Grading
The cycling is moderate (3) grade with daily cycling distances from 25 to 45km/15.5 to 28mi along usually well graded low traffic roads. There are some short stretches on some busier roads and off-road bike paths. The cycling is generally along virtually flat terrain, with about 4 hours of cycling each day. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. A good level of fitness and cycling experience is required to fully participate in this trip.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Mode of Transport
Travel along the Seine and Loing rivers aboard a comfortable barge, with daily cycling routes ranging from 19 to 34 miles. Bikes and e-bikes are provided, along with helmets and panniers for your convenience.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights aboard a Comfort category barge in a twin share cabin with ensuite facilities. The compact cabins are configured with twin lower beds, ensuring a cozy and comfortable stay.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of bike is provided for the tour?
For the 2024 tour, an 11-speed trekking bike with a pannier and helmet is provided. An electric bike is available on request for an additional supplement. For the 2025 tour, only e-bikes are provided, and the rental includes a helmet, pannier, and lock.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, and 6 dinners. Continental breakfasts are served, typically consisting of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee, and juices. At breakfast, you will prepare your packed lunch for the day, which will usually be a sandwich.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation is provided aboard a Comfort category barge for 7 nights in a twin share cabin with ensuite facilities. The compact cabins are configured with twin lower beds.
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What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes?
The cycling is moderate (3) grade with daily distances ranging from 25 to 45 km (15.5 to 28 miles) along usually well-graded, low-traffic roads. There are some short stretches on busier roads and off-road bike paths. The terrain is generally flat, with about 4 hours of cycling each day.
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What should I carry during the cycling day?
During the cycling day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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What happens on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive at the barge in Paris with embarkation at 1:00 pm. You can leave your luggage on board from 11:00 am. There will be a welcome briefing with your guide and an introduction to the crew. The boat will then depart Paris and travel along the Seine to Evry, where it will dock for the night.
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What activities are planned for the last day of the tour?
The tour concludes in Montargis after breakfast. Disembarkation is by 9:30 am.
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Is there Wi-Fi available on the barge?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available on the barge.
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Is there a tour leader for the cycling routes?
Yes, a multilingual tour leader is provided for fully guided cycling tours and daily briefings. For groups of 18 or more, there will be two tour leaders.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.