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Route:
Technical Characteristics
Tour Profile: Easy. These holidays are appropriate for anyone with good physical condition and basic cycling skills. On virtually flat terrain, with some hilly areas, and distances up to 50 kilometers. You can always choose the shorter route if you prefer less challenge.
Distance: 159 - 263 km
Travel Season: Barge Fleur: Departures Tuesdays from Moret-sur-Loing: May 28; June 11 and June 25 and July 9, 2024
Departures Tuesdays from Auxerre: June 18; July 2 and July 16, 2024
Barge Zwaantje: Departures Tuesdays from Moret-sur-Loing: August 6; August 20 and September 3, 2024
Departures Tuesdays from Auxerre: August 13; August 27 and September 10, 2024
The Fleur started cruising in 2002. This tasteful passenger barge with its sleek lines was built to fit the smaller locks and canals in France and has been cruising the French waters ever since. The Fleur can accommodate a maximum of 20 guests in the 10 comfortable cabins on the lower deck, each with private facilities, central heating and air conditioning. On the upper deck there is a lounge with large windows, a roomy sitting area and bar, and outside a half covered sun deck. Wonderful for a cup of coffee or tea, or a glass of wine.
The Zwaantje (little Swan) is a new built passenger barge. On the lower deck, the Zwaantje has twelve comfortable guest cabins. Ten twins (7 m²) with two separate single beds and two doubles (6 m²) 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. 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.
There is a very good reason why Northern Burgundy is referred to as “The Land of Good Living”, and if nothing else, once you complete this memorable boat and barge tour, we hope you understand why. If you’ve never seen Northern Burgundy you are in for a sensual overload of divinely beautiful countryside, ancient medieval villages, serene, meandering rivers and of course, some of the best wines, cheeses, honey and ciders in the world! Burgundy is known throughout the world for its laid-back pace of life, friendliness and mild climate. Both the cultural experiences of visiting wonders such as the gothic cathedral of Sens or the cities of art and culture of Auxerre and Joigny, and the biking itself which alternates between easy stretches of free-wheeling alongside the river Yonne and more challenging uphill sections that lead to spectacular views, will lea will leave you feeling enriched, enlightened and recharged.
Itineraries
Day 1
Auxerre
Our epic tour of Burgundy begins with embarkation and check-in at 2 pm. Your captain, crew and tour leader will give you a warm welcome followed by a bike fitting. After a delicious dinner onboard, there is ample time to take a starlit stroll through the beautiful river town of Auxerre with her majestic church spires, streets lined with 16th century timber houses and cathedral of Saint-Etienne, a true masterpiece of Gothic art.
Day 2
Auxerre 29 km or 44 km
Today you have the option to 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 be 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
Day 3
Auxerre – Joigny 28 km or 43 km
Today we strike out 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 Brienonsur-sur Armencon. The shorter option will follow the beautiful river Yonne. In Migennes where the Burgundy canal crosses the River Yonne and where you’ll rejoin your ship 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 16 and 17 centuries.
Day 4
Joigny – Villeneuve-sur-Yonne 21 km or 42 km
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 ship 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.
Day 5
Villeneuve-sur-Yonne – Sens 28 km or 52 km
Day five also offers 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.
Day 6
Sens – Pont-sur-Yonne 20 km or 42 km
If you decide to brave the longer cycle route on day six, it leads to a local honey producer where you can sample their delicious wild honey. 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.
Day 7
Pont-sur - Yonne – Montereau – Moret 33 km or 40 km
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.
Day 8
Moret-sur-Loing
You bid your captain, crew, tour guide and fellow passengers a fond farewell as we enjoy one last breakfast together while disembarkation continues until 9:30 am.
Prices
Included:
- 7 nights’ accommodation in booked cabin category
- Full board: 7 x breakfast, 6 x packed lunches, 6 x three course dinner, coffee and tea on board
- Use of bed linen and towels
- Daily cleaning of the cabin
- Climate controlled cabin
- Welcome drink
- Daily briefings
- Fully guided cycling tours (more than 18 guests: 2 tour leaders, 2 groups)
- Some short walking tours
- GPS tracks
- Use of a helmet, waterproof pannier bag and water bottle
- Fees for ferries
- Entrance Apiculture’s Living Museum
- Visit cathedral Sens
- Winetasting Bailly
- Wi-Fi
Not Included:
- 1 dinner in Sens or Auxerre
- Gratuities (at your discretion)
- Drinks and expenses on excursions (not mentioned under included)
- Transfers to/from docking place
- Entrance fees and excursions not mentioned under included
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