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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 Joigny, 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.
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101kg of CO2-e PP per day
(705kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Auxerre
On arrival in Auxerre, make your way to the boat to check-in at 2pm. Your captain, crew and tour leader will give you a warm welcome, followed by a bike fitting. After dinner on board, there is ample time to 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 masterpiece of Gothic art.
Meals: D
Day 2
Loop cycle to "Caves be Bailly”, return to barge (29 or 44km/18 or 27mi)
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 by George Hosotte in the Chapelle de Bailly.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
By bike through the Yonne river valley to Joigny (28 or 43km/18 or 26mi)
Today's cycle route heads north through the Yonne river valley toward Joigny. If you choose the longer route, you’ll get to see the charming countryside of Brienon-sur Armencon. The shorter option follows the beautiful Yonne river. In Migennes, where the Burgundy canal crosses the river Yonne, we'll rejoin the boat for a relaxed afternoon cruise to Joigny, a picturesque little town with 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.
Day 4
Cycle through vineyards, then by boat or bike to Villeneuve (21 or 42km/14 or 26mi)
A great start to the day with a loop ride through the local vineyards for a tasting of some of Burgundy’s finest wines. We return to Joigny for lunch then it's back in the saddle for an afternoon ride to the town of Saint-Julien-du-Sault. Here you can visit the 13th century Saint-Pierre church with its magnificent stained-glass windows. We dock for the night in the lovely town of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne where you are free to explore the medieval gate towers and romantic gardens as the sun sets over the countryside.
Day 5
Follow the river to one of the oldest towns in France, Sens (28 or 52km/18 or 32mi)
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 can visit the Cathedral Saint-Etienne, regarded as the first of the great Gothic cathedrals in France. There will be plenty of time to stroll through the marketplace and wander around town. There is no dinner onboard tonight, you can choose one of the many restaurants Sens has to offer.
Meals: B,L
Day 6
Cycle to Pont-sur-Yonne (20 or 42km/13 or 26mi)
After breakfast we spend some time in Sens and visit the cathedral with a local guide. Today again has two cycling options. The longer route leads through the beautiful valley of the Oreuse, the shorter option allows you more time to explore Sens before riding to Pont-sur-Yonne, a charming riverside town.
Day 7
By bike and boat to Moret-sur-Loing (35 or 40km/21.9 or 24mi)
On our final day’s biking we venture away from the river and ride through a forest. The final stretch brings us to Moret-sur-Loing, a quaint medieval town known for its simple charm. The Impressionist painter Sisley found inspiration here. You can explore the historic streets and 12th century Church of Notre Dame - a pleasant ending to your cycle journey.
Day 8
Trip concludes in Moret-sur-Loing
Bid your captain, crew, tour guide and fellow passengers a fond farewell over breakfast, with disembarkation by 9:30am.
Meals: B
Arrive Moret-sur-Loing
On arrival in Moret-sur-Loing, make your way to the barge and check-in at 2 p.m. After a warm welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader, you’ll be fitted with your bike for the tour. Dinner will be served onboard, after which you can enjoy a 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 Impressionist paintings.
Cruise to Montereau and cycle to Pont-sur-Yonne (37km/21mi or 41km/24 mi)
Today begins with a leisurely breakfast while cruising to the town of Montereau-fault-Yonne, situated at the confluence of the Yonne and Seine rivers. In Montereau you can visit the Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Loup collegiate church, built between the 12th and 14th centuries and classified as a Historic Monument. From Montereau we cycle to Montmachoux and continue to Pont-sur-Yonne, a quaint and friendly town, where the boat awaits and we dock for the night.
Cycle to Sens via the river or through the countryside (20km/13 mi or 42km/26 mi)
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 and here you’ll visit the Cathedral Saint-Etienne, regarded as the first of the great Gothic cathedrals in France. There will be plenty of time afterwards to stroll through the marketplace or wander around town. Nearby is the 10-hectare Parc du Moulin a Tan, through which the Vanne and Lingue rivers run. The Parc is a precursor of the town’s project for a green belt, which will ultimately go right around Sens. It’s named after an ancient mill dating from 1887 that was built to extract tannin from tree bark, to send to the nearby tanneries. It's now a large landscaped park, one of the few public gardens in France to bear the “Jardin Remarquable” label! There is no dinner onboard tonight, you are free to choose one of the local restaurants.
Via the hills or along the river to Villeneuve sur Yonne (28km/18 mi or 52km/33 mi)
Today again offers two cycling options. The shorter route stays closer to the river, while the longer option is through the hills to the museum ‘de Pomme et de cidre’ where you’ll be rewarded with a taste of the fine cider produced here. We dock for the night in the lovely town of Villeneuve where you are free to explore the medieval gate towers and romantic gardens as the sun sets over the countryside.
Cycle past vineyards to Joigny (23km/15 mi or 47 km/29mi)
Today starts with a beautiful bike tour along the river 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'll continue to Joigny on a loop through the local vineyards. Then (a highlight for wine-lovers!) the tour leader will will take you for a tasting of some authentic local Burgundy wines. Joigny is a picturesque town with a long and successful wine history and has several sights worth visiting, including numerous historical monuments, unique townhouses from the 16th to 17th centuries with carved renaissance facades, and old churches.
Follow the Burgundy canal to Auxerre (25km/16 mi or 38km/23 mi)
Another leisurely breakfast aboard as we cruise to Migennes at the junction of the Burgundy canal, once a centre of shipping industry. Our cycling tour starts at Migennes and we follow the beautiful river Yonne again, heading south to Auxerre with its majestic church spires, streets lined with 16th century timber houses and cathedral of Saint-Etienne, a masterpiece of Gothic art. You can also stroll along the old port or visit the 15th century clock tower.
Loop cycle along the Yonne to visit 'Caves be Bailly' (30km/18 mi or 42km/26 mi)
Today you are spoilt for choice deciding how to spend your day. You can enjoy time exploring Auxerre or cycle with your guide exploring the area around Auxerre including along the Yonne to visit ‘Caves be Bailly’, famous for its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne and limestone caves. The nearby vineyards of St Bris and Irancy are also worth a visit, as are the paintings by George Hosotte in the Chapelle de Bailly.
Trip concludes Auxerre
The final day of this memorable trip begins with a farewell breakfast onboard, with disembarkation by 9:30am.
What's included
What's not included
Twin Cabin
The lower deck has 10 twin with two single beds. All cabins have a small ensuite bathroom with toilet, shower and wash basin, a fixed window and individual air conditioning.
Double Cabin
There are two double cabins on the lower deck. These have a French bed, which is slightly smaller then a standard double. The cabins have a small ensuite bathroom with toilet, shower and wash basin, windows that open and individual air conditioning.
This is an e-bike only tour. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedalling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. The bikes are equipped with a pannier and lock, and helmet rental is included.
GRADE 3 - This is an e-bike trip. 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 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.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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