Paris, Fontainebleau to Versailles

Paris, Fontainebleau – Versailles

The rivers Oise, Seine and Loing offer a unique opportunity to make a relaxed boat and bike trip around the City of Light, Paris. Follow the flow of these rivers and cycle quietly through the green countryside with charming little villages and richly decorated castles and palaces.

This tour winds between the artist towns of Moret-sur-Loing and Auvers-sur-Oise. Along the way you will visit the world famous gardens of Fontainebleau and Versailles. You will enjoy a very nice cruise to Paris along the Seine and of course we have reserved enough time for you to visit the high-lights of Paris and to cycle through the city. A very diverse tour that allows you to have a cycling holiday with Paris as its center.

Day 1 Thursday Moret, short bike ride, 10 km.

The barge is moored in Moret-sur-Loing. You are expected to arrive at our barge on Thursday between 1 PM and 2 PM. When you arrive on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become

acquainted with the tour leader, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers. During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the global planning of the week are discussed. Instruc-tions are also provided on cycling and safety procedures. After dinner the tour leader will escort you on the first kilome-ters on your bike during a short ride around the village.

Day 2 FridayMoret – Melun, 45 km

Our first real bike ride this week takes us via the gardens and palace of Fontainebleau to the lively town of Melun. In Fon-tainbleau we reserve enough time for you to visit the gardens. During the ride through the Forêt de Fontainebleau you will see many old rocks and stones with surpirsing shapes. On the way from Fontainbleau to Melun we pass the beautifull village of Barbizon, famous for the many painters who stayed there at the end of the 19th century. In Melun we cycle al-ong all the highlights such as the botanic gardens, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, the City Hall and the Eglise St As-pais. In het evening you can stroll through the streets of this nice town.

Day 3 Saturday Melun – Vigneux, 50 km

Today we follow the Seine river for the most part. First a nice and easy ride to Corbeil-Essonnes where you can have a coffee on one of the many terraces. In the second part of the tour you ride through the beautifull Forêt de Senart. Later this day you arrive in Vigneux-sur-Seine where the barge is moored.

Day 4 Sunday: Vigneux— Paris, 0 km

Today is cruise day! As it is very busy and difficult to cycle into Paris from the south, we offer you the opportunity to stay on board and enjoy a relaxing cruise to the City of Light, Paris. The Clair de Lune will dock at the centrally located Bassinde la Villette around 13.00 hrs/1 PM. So there is plenty of time to visit Paris this afternoon and evening. Today we will nothave dinner on board and you can enjoy the pleasure of dining out in Paris.

Day 5 Monday: Paris — Bougival, 40 km

Right after breakfast you will hop on your bike and start the day with a cycling tour through Paris. We take it easy and ride as much as possible on separate bike paths and quiet roads. We pass La Défense, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Bois de Boulogne. Riding along the Seine we reach Bougival where our barge is moored. In the evening the guide takes you on a nice walk around Bougival.

Day 6 Tuesday: Bougival — Conflans, 45 km

Today you will visit the Royal Gardens of Versailles. We cycle around 10 kilometres from Bougival and you will have the whole morning and part of the early afternoon to wander around the palaces and gardens. On the way to Conflans we will ride past the castle in Saint Germain-en-Laye and later through the forest of Saint Germain.

Day 7 Wednesday Conflans– Auvers, 30 km

We conclude this week of cycling around and in Paris with a very nice and short ride to Auvers-sur-Oise. On the way to Auvers we will visit the gigantic work of art known as the Axe Majeur where you also have a stunning view on Paris and La Défense. Upon arrival in Auvers the guide wil take you on an interesting walk through the city and to the graves of Vincent van Gogh and his beloved brother Theo.

Day 8 Thursday, Auvers end of the tour after breakfast. Disembarkation before 10 AM

Included

• All nights on board (incl. bedding, towels, soap)
• Breakfast and 6x dinner on board
• Lunch packages, 6x, when on the road
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tour guide, cycles with the group
• Min. 3 city walks with tour guide
• Free WiFi (limited available in lounge and on deck)
• Road book, 1x per cabin
• Ferry fares on the route
• Free entrance to Gardens + Park of Fontainebleau
• GPS-tracks (on request)

Not included

• Bicycle rent, bike insurance included (see page 4)
• Entrance to Royal Gardens of Versailles ( € 10,- p.p.; to be paid on sport)
• Entrance fees to museums
• Personal insurance

In case of gluten free/lactose free/ vegan mealsthere is an additional charge of € 100,- per diet per week. When ordered upon arrival the additional charge is € 150,- per diet per week, to be paid on site.

We do not allow private e-bikes on board (due to safety regulations).

Dutch Barge Cruises reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure.

The program is subject to change without notice due to weather, nautical reasons like bridges and locks, technical issues and other unforeseen circumstances .