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Heart of France Bike and Barge: Paris - Montargis
Activity Level:
Easy / Moderate |
Daily Mileage:
10 - 38 mi |
Daily Biking:
1.5 - 5 hrs
Air package plus
11 days from only
$4395
Price includes roundtrip airfare.
Land only
8 days from only
$3245
Pre-trip Extension:
Paris · 2 nights $395
Post-trip Extension:
Paris · 2 nights $395
Paris · 2 nights $395
Post-trip Extension:
Paris · 2 nights $395
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart U.S./Fly to Paris
Depart from the U.S.
for France.
The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight
itinerary and airline tickets.
Day 2 - Arrive in Paris
Upon arrival at Paris
Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) Airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your
luggage is lost, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area - VBT
representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Please note: Make sure
that your VBT luggage tags are attached to your bags. This helps the
representative identify you.
After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for
your VBT representative or driver, who will be holding a VBT sign. Your
representative will welcome you to France
and arrange for your transfer via taxi or van (approximately 60 minutes
depending upon traffic) to your Paris
hotel. If you are delayed in meeting your VBT representative at the CDG Airport,
please call 06 72 07 59 24 or 06 15 15 15 25 from within France. Outside of France,
call +33 672 07 59 24 or +33 615 15 15 25.
Please note that the hotel check in time is 3:00 pm but hotel staff will do their best to get you to your rooms as soon as possible. VBT provides you with City Information in your Final Travel Booklet that includes recommendations on what to see and do in Paris. Use the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring Paris.
Day 3 - Embark barge/warm-up ride
VBT No-Air Package guests: You are responsible for meeting
our barge, the Fleur, between 1:45
and 2:00 pm. Please note that you cannot arrive earlier as the barge is being
prepared for your arrival. If you are late, you must contact the barge as soon
as possible to make alternative arrangements, as we leave for the warm-up ride
then sail by 3:30pm. The barge will be moored at Port de l'Arsenal, Boulevard
de la Bastille, Paris.
Contact telephone number is ++ 0031 622 738 010. Please refer to the
information listed in the tour handbook.
VBT Air Package and Pre-Trip Extension guests: After breakfast, make sure your luggage is packed and ready to be transported to the barge. At 1:30 pm board your minibus for your transfer to the barge, arriving at around 1:50 pm. At the docks, meet the barge crew and your VBT Trip Leaders, who will welcome you aboard with refreshments. After visiting your cabins and attending a safety briefing, enjoy a warm-up ride, which follows the Boulevard Richard Lenoir along the Canal St Martin. This evening, gather onboard with the group for a welcome dinner.
Day 4 - Cruise to the lock of Evry / Cycle to Melun
Breakfast is served during our cruise along the Seine. Our
Trip Leaders teach us useful French phrases during a brief language class
before we arrive at the lock of Evry, where our ride begins.
We cycle mainly along the banks of the Seine, passing some
lovely residential villas, until we reach Melun. Built on the crossroads of
transport routes from Roman times, the town grew up around a bend in the River
Seine. Here you will have free time to wander the narrows streets and shop. We
moor tonight in Melun and enjoy dinner onboard.
Day 5 - Cycle to Barbizon, Château of Fontainebleau and Moret-Sur-Loing
This morning, we cycle along the banks of the River Seine. Our
first destination is the “painter's village” of Barbizon. During the mid-18th
century Corot, Rousseau and Diaz de la Pena passed through here and it became
the setting for an artistic revolution which was to change the course of modern
painting. Even today many artists live in the area, mesmerized by the
countryside. We visit the local museum of the Barbizon school and see where
famous landscape artists painted their works.
We continue cycling through the wonderful forest of
Fontainebleau. Keep your eyes open for the pretty little red squirrels. Stop at
the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Château of Fontainebleau. With
origins dating to the 12th century, it has welcomed France's most important
dignitaries, many of them lured here by the extensive possibilities to hunt in
the surrounding forests. Each century witnessed additions and improvements to
the Chateau and the grounds, resulting in today's vast complex centered on a
series of stately courtyards. There'll be time to explore the Château and
gardens and to buy lunch before continuing our ride.
We meet our barge in the charming medieval fortified town of
Moret-Sur-Loing, strategically situated on the banks of the Loing. Here the
painter Sisley found inspiration for his beautiful Impressionist paintings. Our
barge moors here overnight. You might take a walk this evening on the “Sisley
in Moret” trail and afterwards stay in town for dinner on your own.
Day 6 - Cycle Moret-Sur-Loing to Nemours
Today we leave the River Seine behind as our ride sets off
along the River Loing. After passing through the small village of Episy we
continue into the beautiful Grez-sur-Loing. This lovely locale inspired many
artists and was one of the main centers of the Impressionist movement. It still
attracts artists from all over the world.
After free time for lunch we continue through the peaceful forest of Fontainebleau to the small settlement of Larchant. The village retains its medieval character; its undeniable centerpiece is the spectacular gothic-style Saint Mathurin basilica, boasting a tower that soars over 150 feet.
Continue to cycle through peaceful farmland to meet the barge in the charming medieval town of Nemours, located on the River Loing and its canal. This evening, after an included dinner on the barge, you can walk into town and explore its historic center and canal system.
Day 7 - Cycle Nemours to Neronville with a guided walking tour of Château Landon
This morning we cruise out of Nemours until we reach a lock
on the outskirts of town. Here we start cycling
through open agricultural lands to the small town of Egreville before
continuing to the medieval town of Château Landon. Perched on a rocky spur, its
ramparts and towers recall the Middle Ages. Here local VBT friend Gillian Mundy
accompanies us to the home of local artist Pascal Bost, who lives in the old
Mint House. Enjoy a picnic lunch in his garden before learning about his
artwork. Afterwards join Gillian on a guided walk around the town, during which
she will bring history to life.
Continue our short ride to meet the barge in the rural
locale of Neronville.
Dinner will be served onboard this evening.
Day 8 - Neronville to Montargis
After breakfast, we cycle from Neronville through the lovely
countryside to Ferrières-en-Gâtinais. Explore this medieval town's narrow
streets and beautiful lavoir before enjoying a picnic lunch in the gardens by
the Abbey of St Pierre.
This afternoon, we ride through more farmlands before
meeting our barge in the city of Montargis. With its numerous canals and
bridges, Montargis sometimes bills itself as the "Venice of the
Gâtinais." Though quite modern, it retains a medieval charm in its
downtown area, close to our mooring spot.
This evening you can take some time to explore Montargis,
following its network of bridges. You're sure to find a local restaurant for
dinner on your own, and our Trip Leaders can point you in the right direction.
Day 9 - Montargis loop ride
Today we cycle through some of the most lovely scenery so
far, passing through small farming hamlets before arriving at the family home
of Dominique and Jacques Goût, near Château-Renard. Not only is it a peaceful
home for man and bees alike; it has been in Jacques’ family for several generations.
Here Jacques will welcome us with a short film and an explanation of apiculture.
Later, he will show us his bees at work and demonstrate how he harvests their
treasure. Naturally you will have the chance to taste the golden honey at the
end of their hard labor, washed down by homemade cider. During our visit, we’ll
enjoy a picnic lunch in the Goût’s garden.
After lunch, we continue our loop ride along the Fatisse
Riviere before rejoining the River Loing and our barge.
Dine on the barge one last time this evening.
Day 10 - Depart Barge/Discover Paris/VBT No-Air Package ends
VBT No-Air Package guests: After breakfast, your tour ends.
It is important that you leave the barge no later than 9:00 am in order for the
crew to prepare for their next guests. Please refer to the information listed
in the tour handbook. You can join the VBT bus transfer back to the Millennium
Hotel Paris Opera. Please disembark
with the rest of the group at 9:00am.
VBT Air Package guests and Post-Trip Extension guests: After
breakfast, say goodbye to your barge crew and Trip Leaders, then transfer back
to our hotel in Paris.
After checking in, you have free time for independent exploration. Please note
your rooms may not be ready at this time but the hotel will store your luggage.
Enjoy dinner on your own in town tonight. VBT provides you with City
Information in your Final Travel Booklet that includes recommendations on what
to see and do in Paris.
Day 11 - Depart for U.S. or begin optional Paris extension
After breakfast*, meet in the hotel lobby for your transfer
to the Paris airport and your flight back to the
U.S.
Please note: Be sure that you are waiting at the designated time and transfer
location.
Important: The transfer is prearranged by VBT and is
prepaid. VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and
cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the
scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your
own expense.
* Note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.
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