2025 Early Bird SaleFinal WeekSave Now
Duration
8 days
Activities
  • guided cycle
Accommodation
Meals
  • 6 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Price

$2888USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: BUR

Trip highlights


  • discover medieval villages and serene countryside by bike
  • experience the delectable wine, cheese, honey and ciders
  • relax on board your comfortable floating hotel
  • explore cities and towns of art and culture such as Sens, Auxerre and Joigny

Experience the beautiful countryside, the medieval villages, the vineyards and the meandering rivers of Northern Burgundy from the comfort of your well appointed barge. As you cycle each day you will soak up the beauty of the region, while sampling some of the best wines, cheeses, honey and ciders that Burgundy has to offer. En route you will visit wonders such as the gothic cathedral of Sens, the cities of Auxerre and Joigney, and local marketplaces. The cycling is an enjoyable combination of easy stretches along the Yonne river, and rewarding but challenging uphill sections complete with spectacular views. In the evenings, relax on board the barge or explore the towns on foot. Northern Burgundy is referred to as “The Land of Good Living” and by the end of this week long tour you’re sure to understand why.

Trip Grading

moderate

More info about grading system

Traveller Rating

 

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On arrival in Auxerre, make your way to the boat with check-in from 2pm. Your captain, crew and tour leader will give you a warm welcome followed by a bike fitting. After a delicious dinner on board, there is ample time to take a starlit stroll through the beautiful river town of Auxerre with its majestic church spires, streets lined with 16th century timber houses and the cathedral of Saint-Etienne, a true masterpiece of Gothic art.

Meals:  D

This morning you can either stay, relax and take in more of the sights of Auxerre, or begin your cycling adventure with your guide leading you along the Yonne river en route to “Caves de Bailly”. This vineyard is famous for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and limestone caves. The nearby vineyards of St Bris and Irancy are also well worth a visit, as are the paintings of George Hosotte in the Chapelle de Bailly.

Meals:  B,L,D

The route today heads north, cycling through the Yonne river valley toward Joigny. If you choose the longer cycling route, you’ll get to see the charming countryside of Brienon-sur Armencon from where you’ll follow the beautiful Burgundy canal to Migennes where the Burgundy canal crosses the river Yonne and where you’ll rejoin the barge for a relaxed afternoon sail to Joigny, a picturesque little town that has a long and storied wine history as well as several historical monuments, ancient churches and townhouses with carved renaissance facades from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Meals:  B,L,D

What better way to start the day than with a loop through the local vineyards for a tasting of some of Burgundy’s finest wines? You’ll return to Joigny for lunch, after which you have the option to either hop on the barge for a leisurely sail to Villeneuve sur Yonne or jump back in the saddle for an afternoon ride to the town of Saint-Julien-du-Sault where you can visit the 13th century Saint-Pierre church with its magnificent stained-glass windows. We dock for the night in the lovely, lesser-known French town of Villeneuve where you are free to explore the medieval gate towers and romantic string of gardens as the sun sets over the countryside.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today there are two cycling options – the short option follows the river Yonne, while the longer option takes you into the hills for a rewarding taste of the fine cider produced at the museum ‘de Pomme et de cidre’. Our next stop is Sens, one of the oldest towns in France where you’ll visit the first of the greater Gothic cathedrals in France, Cathedral Saint-Etienne. There will be plenty of time afterward to shop, stroll through the marketplace or wander around town to acquaint yourself with the many restaurants Sens has to offer as today there is no dinner onboard.

Meals:  B,L

If you decide to brave the longer cycle route today, it leads through the beautiful valley of the Oreuse. However, the shorter option affords you more time to explore Sens at your leisure before you cycle through to Pont-sur-Yonne, a charming riverside town.

Meals:  B,L,D

On our final day’s biking, we’ll visit Montereau-fault-Yonne, a town situated at the confluence of the Yonne and Seine rivers. Here, the thousand-year-old Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Loup collegiate church is well worth a visit. At Montereau we hop back on board the boat for a dinner cruise to our final destination, the charming medieval fortified town of Moret-sur-Loing where the famous painter Sisley drew inspiration for his work.

Meals:  B,L,D

You bid your captain, crew, tour guide and fellow passengers a fond farewell as we enjoy one last breakfast together while disembarkation continues until 9:30am.

Meals:  B

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On arrival in Moret-sur-Loing, make your way to the barge with check-in from 2 p.m. After a warm welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader, you’ll be fitted with a bike for the tour. Dinner will be served onboard, after which you can enjoy a moonlit stroll through Moret-sur-Loing, a charming medieval fortified town, situated on the banks of the Loing, where the painter Sisley found inspiration for his beautiful impressionist paintings.

Meals:  D

Day two begins with a leisurely breakfast while sailing to the town of Montereau-fault-Yonne, situated at the confluence of the Yonne and the Seine rivers. In Montereau you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Loup collegiate church. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, this church has been officially classified as a Historic Monument. From Montereau you will follow the canals of the river Yonne to Pont-sur-Yonne, a quaint, friendly town where we will dock for the night.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you have the option to follow the river valley to the town of Sens or take a longer ride into the countryside. Sens is one of the oldest towns in France, here you’ll visit the first of the greater gothic cathedrals in France, Cathedral Saint-Etienne. There will be plenty of time afterward to shop, stroll through the marketplace or wander around town. Near the town you’ll find the 10-hectare Parc du moulin a Tan, through which the Vanne and the Lingue run. The Parc du moulin a Tan is a precursor of the town’s project for a green belt, which should ultimately go right around Sens. It’s named after an obscure type of mill that dates back to 1887 and was used to grind oak bark to make tanbark, a powder used in leather tanning. The Parc du moulin a Tan includes a rose garden, an animal enclosure, an arboretum, and a playground.

Meals:  B,L,D

Once more, your day begins with two cycling options. The shorter one stays closer to the river, where the longer one takes you through the hills to the museum ‘de Pomme et de cidre’ where you’ll be rewarded with a taste of the fine cider they produce here. We dock for the night in the lovely, lesser-known French town of Villeneuve where you are free to explore the medieval gate towers and romantic string of gardens as the sun sets over the countryside.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you’ll start the morning with a beautiful bike tour to the town of Saint-Julien-du-Sault where you can visit the 13th century Saint-Pierre church with its magnificent stained-glass windows. You’ll then continue to Joigny where you’ll follow a lazy loop through the local vineyards in the afternoon sunshine. Then (one of the highlights of the tour for wine-lovers!) the tour leader will show you some places to taste the fine Burgundy wines. Joigny, a picturesque little town with a very long and successful wine history, has several sights worth visiting, including numerous historical monuments, unique townhouses from the 16th-17th centuries, with carved renaissance facades, and ancient churches.

Meals:  B,L,D

Another leisurely breakfast aboard as we sail to Migennes at the junction of the Burgundy canal, once a center of shipping industry. You’ll hop back on your bike at Migennes to follow the beautiful Burgundy canal as you head south to Auxerre with her majestic church spires, streets lined with 16th century timber houses and cathedral of Saint-Etienne, a true masterpiece of Gothic art. You can also stroll along the old port or visit the 15th century clock tower. Today there is no dinner on board, so you are free to choose one of the local restaurants for dinner.

Meals:  B,L

Today you are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding how to spend your day. If you’d like to spend a lazy day strolling around Auxerre, feel free to enjoy this beautiful city however you choose! If you’re itching to get back in the saddle, then explore the area of Auxerre together with your guide. Cycle along the Yonne to visit ‘Caves be Bailly’, a vineyard is famous for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and limestone caves. The nearby vineyards of St Bris and Irancy are also well worth a visit, as are the paintings of George Hosotte in the Chapelle de Bailly.

Meals:  B,L,D

The final day of this memorable trip begins with a farewell breakfast onboard after which disembarkation continues until 9:30am.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 three course 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 sandwiches, fruit & juice. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish
  • 7 nights accommodation aboard a Comfort category barge with ensuite facilities on a twinshare basis. The Fleur features 10 cabins with two lower beds, while there are 8 twins and 2 double cabins on the Zwaantje.
  • E-bike rental equipped with pannier, lock, comfortable gel seat and helmet (standard bikes are not available on this tour)
  • Cycling Map (1 per cabin) plus navigational App with GPS tracks
  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
  • Experienced multilingual guide for fully guided cycle tours and daily briefings - extra cycle guide for group sizes of 18 passengers or more
  • Several city walking tours
  • Linen and change of towels as required
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Daily tea and coffee
  • Water bottle
  • Ferry ticket
  • Entrance to the Apiculture's Living museum, visit to Sens Cathedral and winetasting Bailly
  • WIFI on board
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to and from Auxerre/Moret Sur Loing
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Entrance fees and excursions not specified
  • Transfers not specified
  • Travel insurance
  • A supplement will apply if you are booking a single cabin (we do not match single travellers)
  • Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).
  • Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for example lactose or gluten free diets - EUR70 pp paid locally on board. Vegan diets cannot be catered for on this trip
  • Items of a personal nature

Cabins


Bike information


Grading

moderate  

MODERATE - GRADE 3 The cycling is moderate (3) grade with daily cycling distances from 20 to 52km (12.5 to 32.5mi). The cycling alternates between easy stretches of free-wheeling alongside the river Yonne and more challenging uphill sections that lead to spectacular views. As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. Electric bikes when used will ensure the cycling is comfortable for less physical cyclists - however it is still essential that you are comfortable cycling on roads and in light traffic in variable weather conditions. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets be worn during cycle sections.


Departure dates


Notes

IT1
Trip commences in Auxerre.
IT2
Trip operates in reverse, commencing in Moret sur Loing - refer to second itinerary in trip notes.
DN3
There are two boats for this trip: Fleur (S) and Zwaantje (D). This is an e-bike only trip in 2025.

Want to organise a private group?

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Priceper person from

$2888USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single Supplement (single use of twin cabin)USD$1090
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews


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We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.  

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Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

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