Guided From
€1289
Price From
999 €
  • Champagne tasting & tour in a Champagne house 
  • cycling then dining in style onboard the barge
  • full day excursion in Paris
8 Days
7 Nights
175 Total kms
35 km/day (avg)
mini-map
During this new tour you will follow the rolling banks of the beautiful Marne River valley and get to know the vineyards and history of the Champagne area as you cycle and travel ina luxurious river barge. In 2015, UNESCO granted the Champagne area the status of world heritage; the vineyards, wine cellars and sales houses where champagne is produced and sold are considered culturally significant and along the way, you will have plenty of opportunities to taste the delicious Brie cheese and Champagne wines.

Tour Route

Day
1
Independent arrival
to
Epernay

Day 1 (Sat): Epernay: embarkation
In the afternoon: (optional, included) bus transfer from Reims city center via TGV train station Champagne-Ardennes to Epernay. Embarkation and check-in between 05:00 and 06:00 PM. Welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader. Dinner on board. First briefing about the barge, bicycles and tour program.

Day
2
Epernay

Day 2 (Sun): Epernay round tour (ca. 25 / 16 miles) | afternoon: visit Epernay and Champagne houses
The first half day's bike tour takes you along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne river to Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay. Return via Dizy to visit Hautvillers. After a somewhat challenging first ascent of the slopes and through the vineyards (cyclists can test their shape and muscles for the first time) you will reach this picturesque village of Champagne wine growers on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Highlight is a visit of the chapel with the tomb of the monk Dom Pérignon. According to tradition, Dom Pérignon (1638-1715), who was in charge of the wine cellars of the abbey of Benedictine monks, was the first to succeed in blending various kinds of wine into a wine of superb quality. Double fermentation, characteristic for the making of champagne, was introduced also by him. Return cycling to Epernay. After lunch, visit the center of Epernay. Together with Reims, Epernay is the major wine center of the Champagne region, where three extensive wine regions meet: the Montagne the Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. Epernay has many town houses dating in neo-renaissance style or classical style dating from the 19th century, especially around the beautiful Avenue the Champagne where prestigious champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon are situated. Champagne tasting and tour in a Champagne house on the famous Avenue de Champagne.

25km
Day
3
Epernay
to
Château-Thierry

Day 3 (Mon): Epernay- Dormans - Château-Thierry (ca. 30 - 50 / 19 - 35 miles)
Start the first full day cycling tour along the canal and Marne river. We will see the Château de Boursault, a large castle built in 1848 by the widow of Mr. Cliquot, who gave her name (Veuve Cliquot) to a famous Champagne wine. A ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne rewards the cyclist with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne valley and the Champagne vineyards. Today we will leave the official Champagne area. Cycle along the Marne river (or cruise) to Dormans, a quiet village on the Marne with a castle and chapel in memory of the battle of the Marne. During World War I this area was the scene of close battles. Dinner on board and night in Epernay. Today's destination is Château-Thierrry, that owes its name to the castle that once was situated on the slopes above the Marne. The town was the site of the Battle of 1814 in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia and of 1918 in World War I. Château-Thierry is also known as the native town of the world-famous writer of fables Jean de la Fontaine. Short bike tour - if possible - starts in Dormans.

30km
Day
4
Château-Thierry
to
La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre

Day 4 (Wed): Château-Thierry - La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre (ca. 50 / 32 miles)
Enjoy a somewhat challenging bike tour from Château-Thierry to La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre . The first part of the cycling tour leads you along the Marne river. After a few miles you will take a small side valley and follow country roads through various small villages and hamlets. En route you can visit the large WW1 American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau. Follow the small river Clignon and continue riding uphill until you finally reach the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley. The side valleys are mainly covered with forest, on the plateau agriculture is predominant. Start your descent along the small river Ru de Bouillons to reach La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre, where you meet the barge. Night in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or one of the villages nearby.

50km
Day
5
La Ferté-sous-Jouarre
to
Meaux

Day 5 (Wed): La Ferté-sous-Jouarre - Meaux (ca. 35-40 / 22 or 25 miles)
After breakfast you will start your cycling tour that will lead you over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley and through forests and small villages on the southern and northern banks of the river. On the way we may visit the Château de Montceau, the building of which was started by Catherine de Médicis in the 16th century. Today's destination is the city of Meaux , famous for its "Brie de Meaux" cheeses and the magnificent cathedral, the Cathedral St.-Etienne. During the day you will enjoy a tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses. Visit the historical city center of Meaux. Dinner on board and night in Meaux.

35km
Day
6
Meaux
to
Paris

Day 6 (Thu): Meaux - Lagny-sur-Marne (ca. 35 / 21 miles) | Lagny-sur-Marne - Paris
In Meaux you can take your bicycle for a last ride, mainly along the Marne river and its parallel canal. Last challenge is the hill near Chalifert. The barge will take the tunnel through this hill, but cyclists have to ride up to take the hill by bicycle. In the early afternoon you will meet the barge in Lagny-sur-Marne. The barge will sail from Lagny-sur-Marne on the Marne river to Paris. On this last part of sailing, the barge will pass another tunnel, the tunnel near Saint-Maurice, which is a very impressive experience. Dinner on board and night in Paris.

35km
Day
7
Paris

Day 7 (Fri): Paris: full day excursion
After breakfast you will leave the ship and enjoy a full day guided excursion to many highlights of Paris. Visit some of the may highlights that the "City of Light" has to offer. To mention just a few: the Eifel Tower, the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, the Notre Dame cathedral, the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Centre Pompidou and the Musée dOrsay. Your tour guide will take you by public transportation (day ticket not included) from the barge to the center of Paris and on some walking tours. For safety reasons, no cycling tour in Paris is planned.

Day
8
Paris

Day 8 (Sat): Paris: disembarkation
After breakfast: end of the tour and disembarkation in Paris.

FAQs

    •  
    • 8 days/7 nights
    • 7 x breakfast
    • Packed lunches
    • 6 x 3-course dinner
    • Coffee and tea on board
    • Welcome drink
    • Use of bed linen and towels
    • Daily cleaning of the cabin
    • Climate-controlled cabin
    • Daily briefings
    • Fully guided cycling tours (from 18 guest: 2 tour leaders, 2 groups)
    • Some short walking tours
    • Maps for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
    • GPS tracks
    • Use of a helmet
    • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
    • Water bottle
    • Fees for ferries
    • Brie cheese tasting in Jouarre
    • Champagne tasting at local producer
    • Visit champagne cellar in Epernay
    • Wi-Fi
    •  
    • 1x dinner
    • Drinks
    • Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
    • Personal insurances
    • Gratuities (at your discretion)
    • Entrance fees and excursions (not mentioned under included)
    • Transfers to/from the docking place
    • Parking fees
  • About the barge: Zwaantje

    The Zwaantje (Little Swan) is a new built passenger barge. Since September 2014, the „Zwaantje“ has new owners and operators: Martijn van Tatenhove and Marjorie Kersten, who have experience as operators of a passenger barge for many years. Martijn is your captain on board; he grew up in a family in the hotel and restaurant business and is also a licensed chef. Marjorie graduated in Tourism at the Breda High School and has been working in public relations. The sympathetic and very motivated couple have restyled the interior of the “Zwaantje” in winter 2014-2015 and have created a warm and cozy atmosphere. The Zwaantje sails under Dutch flag and management and is a very popular small river barge on several tours in The Netherlands, Belgium and France.

    Description of the cabins
    On the lower deck, the Zwaantje has twelve comfortable guest cabins. Ten twins (7 m² – 75 sq.ft.) with two separate single beds and two doubles (6 m² – 65 sq.ft.) with one double bed. Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have ventilation, central heating, air-conditioning and a window; the windows in the doubles can be opened, the windows in the twins are fixed for safety reasons. Furthermore, in each cabin you will find a mini safe and hair dryer.

    Description of the ship
    On the upper deck you will find the nice and cozy salon with heating, air conditioning, large panoramic windows, a restaurant area, lounge corner and a small bar. Wi-Fi is available. The Zwaantje also has a very spacious sun deck with chairs and tables where you can relax, enjoy the scenery while sailing or join the skipper in the wheel house.

    Facts about the ship
    Length:         40 m (131 ft.)
    Width:          5,6 m (18 ft.)
    Crew:           4
    Cabins:         12
    Pass.:           24 (max.)

  • CYCLING IN THE MARNE - CHAMPAGNE AREA

    The cycling tours are fully guided, but cannot be rated as easy: you need to be a fit and well-practiced cyclist. Every day you will cycle small country roads (short distances: un- or semi-paved roads and tracks) that go up and down the slopes of the wide river valley, through the hills and the Champagne vineyards. Cycling distances vary from 30 - 50 (19 - 31 miles) per day and tours are much more challenging than tours in Holland / Belgium!

    BICYCLES:

    The bicycles on board are 21-speed touring bicycles with hand brakes and a pannier bag. A limited number of e-bikes (electrically assisted bicycle) are available on request (early booking is strongly recommended). Other bikes (e.g. children's bikes, tandems, etc.) are not available in this area and cannot be ordered for these tours. Bike rental is optional. Guests are also allowed to bring their own bicycles or E-bikes at no extra cost, but only in exceptional cases and in limited numbers: storing space on the barge is very limited. Therefore please let us know well in advance when you would like to bring your own bicycle/e-bike. This is only possible after reconfirmation by us. Neither crew nor tour operator are liable/ responsible for any damage, loss or theft of own bicycles. In France cyclists are not obligated by law to wear a bike helmet. In France it is mandatory for all bicyclists to wear a bike helmet. We urgently recommend you to bring your own (well fitting) helmet. There is a very limited number (only standard size) bike helmets available on board.

  • General Conditions

    The General Conditions (travel conditions)  apply to cycling cruises, as well as to confirmation and cancellation of such tours. First of all:, children are very welcome on board. However, before booking, we advise you strongly to check whether your child is able to manage a cycle trip of ca. 50 in hilly surroundings with up to 350 meters of altitude (aggregate) on two cycling days. Of course you may stay on board and skip cycling for one or more days; children under the age of18 years must be under supervision. For this tour a child discount is NOT available. The interior of the ship is a non-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. As a safety measure, a statutory smoking ban applies in all cabins; this means that all cabins and rooms on board are non-smoking areas.

Prices


16
May
20
Jun

Guided / per person
Standard Adult Double €1289
Adult Single €1935

Notes
Paris – Epernay: departure dates on May 16, MAy 30 and June 13 | Epernay – Paris: departure dates on May 23, June 6 and 20

Extras

Bike rental €85
e-Bike rental €185
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Contact Us

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