Burgundy Bike and Barge

Name: Burgundy Bike and Barge
Brand: UTracks
SKU: BUR
Rating: 5.00 (1 reviews)

Scenes from the Burgundy Bike & Barge tour | Robert Kruger

The Zwaantje docked on the river

Fields of sunflowers in northern Burgundy

Traditional architecture in Burgundy | Jaclyn Lofts

The impressive cathedral in Sens

Unpack only once on a bike & barge trip

Scenes from the Burgundy Bike & Barge tour | Robert Kruger

The Zwaantje docked on the river

Fields of sunflowers in northern Burgundy

Traditional architecture in Burgundy | Jaclyn Lofts

The impressive cathedral in Sens

Unpack only once on a bike & barge trip

24 Trips to Explore in 2024See the List

Duration

8 days

Activities

guided cycle

Accommodation

Meals

6 Dinners
6 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Price

$2590USD

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

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Day 1
Embark mid afternoon in Auxerre, evening to explore

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

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 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.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
By bike through the Yonne river valley to Joigny (28 or 43km/18 or 26mi)

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

Day 4
Cycle through the vineyards, then by boat or bike to Villeneuve (21 or 42km/14 or 26mi)

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

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’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

Day 6
Cycle to Pont-sur-Yonne (20 or 42km/13 or 26mi)

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

Day 7
By bike to Montereau, then by boat to Moret sur Loing (33 or 40km/21 or 24mi)

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

Day 8
Trip concludes in 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 9:30am.

Meals: B

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Day 1
Arrive Moret-sur-Loing

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 2
Cruise to Montereau and cycle to Pont sur Yonne (37/21 mi or 41 km/24 mi)

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

Day 3
Cycle to Sens with two routes to choose (20 km/13 mi or 42 km/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, 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

Day 4
Via the hills or along the river to Villeneuve sur Yonne (28 km/18 mi or 52 km/33 mi)

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

Day 5
Cycle past vineyards to Joigny (23km/15 mi or 47 km/29mi)

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

Day 6
Follow the Burgundy canal to Auxerre (25 km/16 mi or 38 km/23 mi)

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

Day 7
Loop cycle along the Yonne to visit 'Caves be Bailly' (30 km/18 mi or 42 km/26 mi)

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

Day 8
Trip concludes Auxerre

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

What's included

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 Category A 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
Hybrid bike rental - 11 speed on the Fleur, or 21 speed on the Zwaantje - with handbrake or backpedal brake, waterproof pannier and helmet (electric bike available on request - supplement applies)
Information pack including route notes & maps (one set per cabin). GPS Tracks available on request
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 3-4pm
Water bottle
Ferry ticket
Entrance to the Apiculture's Living museum, visit to Sens Cathedral and winetasting Bailly
WIFI on board

What's not included

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 - EUR65pp (subject to change) paid locally on board.
Items of a personal nature

Cabins

Fleur

Cabins

On the lower deck the Fleur has 10 comfortable guest cabins with 2 separate beds. Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin. Also the cabins have central heating and air-conditioning. In each cabin you will find a small safe and hair dryer.

Zwaantje

Cabins

On the lower deck the barge has 13 cabins: 10 twin with two single beds and two cabins with a double (French) bed and an additional 3rd bed as Pullman bed. All cabins have a small en-suite bathroom with toilet, shower and wash basin, a fixed window (both double cabins have larger windows that also open) and individual air conditioning.

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 are available for a supplement (limited availability) and 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) for May to July departures, and Zwaantje (D) in Aug & Sep.

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Priceper person from

$2590USD

Options & Supplements*

Electric Bike SupplementUSD$210
Single Supplement (single use of twin cabin)USD$1010

*Prices listed are per person

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