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Experience the beauty of the Marne River Valley, the lights of Paris and the famous Champagne houses of Epernay from the comfort of a well appointed barge. Along the way, sample delicious cheese in Meaux, well known for its Brie cheese and visit Château-Thierry, scene of major battles in World War I. Cycling along the river in the company of your expert guide, through vineyards and past small villages, ensures you gain a unique insight in this special region. In the Champagne region, visit small producers, who will be proud to let you taste their best Champagne wines. The journey concludes in Épernay, the real capital of the Champagne region, where the Avenue de Champagne is home to famous producers such as Moët & Chandon, Pol Roger and Perrier-Jouët.
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101kg of CO2-e PP per day
(706kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Embarkation in Paris and cruise to Lagny-sur-Marne
Embarkation and check-in at 2pm near the Seine river. After a welcome from the captain, crew and tour guide, your tour will begin with a cruise through Paris as we make our way to Lagny-sur-Marne, on the border between the bustling city and the French countryside. During the cruise, the guide will give a briefing about the week ahead. After dinner there will be time to explore Lagny.
Meals: D
Day 2
Loop cycle Lagny-sur-Marne (22 or 42km/13 or 26mi)
In the morning after the bike fitting and once everyone is comfortable, we will set off on our first bike ride along the Marne River. One option follows the river, the other is a little more challenging. You will pass the castles of Champs-sur-Marne and cycle through the surrounding gardens. The Château de Champs-sur-Marne is typical of the residences built in the countryside in the 18th century, which gave rise to a new style of living. It is one of the most magnificently furnished castles in the Ile-de-France.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Cycle from Lagny-sur-Marne to Meaux, famous for its cheese (22 or 42km/13 or 26mi)
There are 2 cycling options today. The first km of both options are uphill. If you opt for the shorter ride, the first challenge is the hill near Chalifert. The barge will take the tunnel through the hill, but cyclists will climb and cros the hill by bike. On the longer option, the first part is quite hilly leaving the valley of the Marne. Later we follow the small Canal de l’Ourq that was built by Napoleon to transport wood, grain and fresh water to Paris. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its “Brie de Meaux” cheeses and the magnificent Cathedral St-Etienne. Overnight in Meaux.
Day 4
Cycle along the Marne, before arriving in La Ferté-sous-Jouarre (30 or 66km/18.8 or 41mi)
There are a few cycling options today. The shorter option leads over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley on the south bank of the river and through forests and small villages. The longer option stays in the valley of the river in the morning with a ride through Trilport and Lizy-sur-Ourcq. Later there are a few challenging hills leaving the valley, in the direction of Jouarre. In Jouarre, all cyclists can enjoy a presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses at the family-run Fromagerie Ganot. Dinner on board and overnight in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or a village nearby.
Day 5
Cycle via Belleau to Château-Thierry (40 or 57km/24 or 35.5mi)
Today we'll enjoy a somewhat challenging cycling tour from La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry. The first part of the cycling is along the Marne river. After a while we will take a side valley and follow country roads through various small villages and hamlets. Continuing uphill we 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. We follow the valley of the small river Clignon. En route we can visit the large WW1 American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau on the D82. From here we descend to Château-Thierry and the boat. Dinner onboard and overnight in Château-Thierry. Château-Thierry owes its name to the castle that once was situated on the slopes above the Marne. You can still see some remnants. The town was the site of two important battles: the Battle of 1814 in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia and the Battle of 1918 at the end of World War I. It is also known as the native town of the famous writer of fables, Jean de la Fontaine.
Day 6
Enter the Champagne area and cycle to Epernay (34 or 55km/21 or 34.4mi)
During breakfast we cruise to the lock of Mont St Pierre, or a little further upstream to Dormans. Today we will enter the official Champagne area. Dormans is 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 intense battles. 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. During the cycling tour you will see the Château de Boursault, built in the mid 1800s by Mme Clicquot Ponsardin, the famed champagne producer. There is no dinner on board this evening, you can select one of the local restaurants in town.
Meals: B,L
Day 7
Loop cycle through vineyards (17 or 26km/10 or 16mi), afternoon visit Epernay and Champagne cellar visit
The last half-day’s cycle is a loop along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne river to Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay, returning via Dizy to visit Hautvillers. After an ascent we will reach this picturesque village of Champagne wine growers, on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. A highlight is a visit to the chapel with the tomb of the monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715). In charge of the wine cellars of a Benedictine abbey, Dom Pérignon pioneered a number of winemaking techniques, being the first to blend grapes in such a way as to improve regional wines into a wine of superb quality. Double fermentation, characteristic for the making of champagne, was introduced also by him. We cycle back to Epernay, and after lunch we'll visit the centre of Epernay. Together with Reims, Epernay is the major wine centre of the Champagne region, where three extensive wine regions meet: the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. Epernay has many town houses in neo-Renaissance or classical style dating from the 19th century, especially around the beautiful Avenue de Champagne where prestigious champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon and Mercier are situated. Enjoy a Champagne tasting and take a tour in one of the major Champagne houses.
Day 8
Trip concludes after breakfast in Epernay
The tour concludes after breakfast. Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.00 a.m.
Meals: B
Embarkation in Epernay, explore on foot
Embarkation and check-in at 2pm in Epernay. After a welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader there is time for bicycle fitting and a short test ride. After dinner your tour leader will take you for a walk through Epernay, the major wine centre of the Champagne region. Epernay has many town houses in neo-Renaissance style or classical style dating from the 19th century, especially around the beautiful Avenue de Champagne, where many prestigious champagne houses are situated.
Epernay loop cycle (19 or 26km/11 or 16mi), Champagne tasting
The first half day’s cycling tour is along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne river to Ayand Mareuil-sur-Ay. We return via Dizy to visit Hautvillers. After an ascent of the slopes and through the vineyards, we will reach this picturesque village of Champagne wine growers on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. A highlight is a visit to the chapel with the tomb of the monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715). In charge of the wine cellars of a Benedictine abbey, Dom Pérignon pioneered a number of winemaking techniques, being the first to blend grapes in such a way as to improve regional wines into a wine of superb quality. Double fermentation, characteristic for the making of champagne, was introduced also by him. We return by bike to Epernay and after lunch we visit the centre of Epernay. Together with Reims, Epernay is the major wine centre of the Champagne region, where three extensive wine regions meet: the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. Enjoy a Champagne tasting and take a tour in one of the major Champagne houses.
Cycle through the Champagne region to Château-Thierry (33 or 50km/21 or 31mi)
Our first full day cycling is along the canal and Marne river. A ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne rewards with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne valley and the Champagne vineyards. During the cycling tour you will see the Château de Boursault, built in the mid 1800s by Mme Clicquot Ponsardin, the famed champagne producer. Today we will leave the official Champagne area. We cycle along the Marne river 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. The short cycling tour ends in Dormans, where you can join the boat. The longer option ends at the lock of Mont St Pierre. Our destination is Château-Thierry, which 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 famous writer of fables, Jean de la Fontaine.
Cycle to La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or surrounds (40 or 43km/24 or 27mi)
Enjoy a somewhat challenging cycling tour from Château-Thierry to La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre. The first part of the tour is along the Marne river then take a small side valley and follow country roads through various small villages and hamlets. En route we can visit the large WW1 American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau. Follow thes mall river Clignon and continue riding uphill until we 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. We descend to reach La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre in the Marne valley, where we will meet the barge and spend the night.
Cycle to Meaux, famous for its 'Brie de Meaux' cheese (30 or 52km/18 or 32mi)
After breakfast, our cycling tour will lead us over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley through forests and small villages on the southern and northern banks of the river. After just a few miles (uphill !) you will enjoy a very nice presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses at the family-run Fromagerie Ganot. Then we will hop on the bikes again and you can opt for a longer or shorter ride to Meaux. The short option will lead you over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley on the southern bank of the river through forests and small villages. The long tour follows a few large curves of the river to Lizy-sur-Ourcq and Trilport. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its “Brie de Meaux” cheeses and the magnificent Cathedral St-Etienne. Free time to visit the historical city centre of Meaux, and as there is no dinner on board, you can select one of the local restaurants in town.
Cycle to Lagny-sur-Marne (22 or 43km/14 or 27mi)
There's time to visit the beautiful city centre of Meaux before setting out. This cycling stage is mainly along the Marne river and its parallel canal. The longer option leads along the Canal de l’Ourq, which was built by Napoleon to transport wood, grain and drinking water to Paris. In the afternoon we will meet the barge in Lagny-sur-Marne, on the outskirts of Paris, where we will stay for the night.
Loop cycle Lagny-sur-Marne and onto Paris (38 or 51km/23 or 32 mi)
The last day's cycle will lead us further along the river Marne. After about 10km we will pass the Château of Champs-sur Marne, which is characteristic of the residences built in the countryside in the 18th century, giving rise to a new style of living. It is one of the most magnificently furnished châteaux in the Ile de France. We cycle all the way along the Marne and Seine rivers to the mooring in the heart of Paris.
Trip concludes in Paris
Trip concludes. Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.00 a.m.
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.
The electric bikes provided have hand brakes, gears and support levels, a lock and pannier. Helmet rental is included.
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.
GRADE 3 - This is an e-bike trip. Daily cycling distances from 17 to 66km (10.6 to 41mi) ex Paris, 19 to 52km (11.9 to 32mi) ex Epernay along undulating usually well graded low traffic roads. There are some hills, and some short stretches on some busier roads and off-road bike paths. The cycling includes ups and downs every day through the beautiful wide river valley, hills and the Champagne vineyards - between 50 and 400m (164 and 1312ft) (aggregate) difference in altitude per day. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. 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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