Paris, Versailles & Fontainebleau
France Bike + Boat Tours
Cruise the Seine & cycle to artistic villages, UNESCO châteaux, & scenic forests
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Overview
This bike and boat tour takes you into the heart of France, combining cycling, historic sites, and scenic cruising. Following the Seine, Oise, and Loing Rivers, you’ll start each day in a riverside town, biking through landscapes that inspired generations of artists.
From Paris to charming villages, this cycle tour reveals the essence of France. You’ll visit cultural and natural highlights, including the gardens of Fontainebleau and Versailles, the forest of Saint-Germain, and artist towns like Moret-sur-Loing and Auvers-sur-Oise. A cruise along the Seine brings you into Paris, with time to explore its iconic landmarks and neighborhoods.
Each evening, return to the barge to enjoy local cuisine, meet fellow travelers, and relax. Whether cycling through forests, visiting historic sites, or exploring art-filled villages, this tour offers an active and authentic taste of France.
Highlights
- Paris, the City of Light
- Versailles Royal Gardens
- Van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise
- Barbizon, painter's village
- Fontainebleau UNESCO Château & Forest
- Saint-Germain Forest
Be sure to view all of our bike tours in France
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Itinerary
Moret-sur-Loing to Auvers-sur-Oise
Day 1: Arrive in Moret-sur-Loing, 6 mi. (10 km)
Day 2: Moret-sur-Loing - Melun, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Melun - Vigneux-sur-Seine, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Vigneux-sur-Seine - Paris
Day 5: Paris - Bougival, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Bougival - Conflans, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Conflans - Auvers-sur-Oise, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 8: Depart from Auvers-sur-OiseDay 1: Arrive in Moret-sur-Loing, 6 mi. (10 km)
The barge will be docked in the historic art village of Moret-sur-Loing, known for its connection to Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley. Boarding is between 1 and 2 pm. Once on board, settle into your cabin, enjoy a coffee or tea, and meet the crew, tour leader, and fellow travelers. During dinner, the week’s itinerary and the next day’s plans will be discussed, along with cycling and safety instructions. Afterward, the tour leader will guide a short bike ride through Moret-sur-Loing, letting you explore its scenic charm and get comfortable with your bike.
Day 2: Moret - Melun, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today’s cycling route leads through the gardens of the Fontainebleau Palace, a UNESCO-listed site that once served as a residence for French monarchs for over 700 years. Ride through the Forêt de Fontainebleau, passing unique sandstone formations. Stop in Barbizon, known as the “Village of Painters,” where artists like Jean-François Millet and Théodore Rousseau found inspiration. The day ends in Melun, home to landmarks like the Notre Dame Collegiate Church and botanical gardens. Enjoy an evening stroll and discover this riverside town.Day 3: Melun - Vigneux-sur-Seine, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today’s path follows the Seine River to the town of Corbeil-Essonnes. Enjoy a coffee at a café terrace before continuing through the Forêt de Sénart, a peaceful forest with diverse wildlife. Arrive in Vigneux-sur-Seine, where the barge awaits, providing a perfect end to a day along the riverside.Day 4: Vigneux-sur-Seine - Paris
Enjoy a scenic Seine River cruise directly into Paris. Watch as the city’s iconic skyline, including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, comes into view. The barge docks at Bassin de la Villette, centrally located, by early afternoon. With the evening free, explore Paris at your own pace and indulge in the city’s renowned dining options.Day 5: Paris - Bougival, 25 mi. (40 km)
Begin with a bike ride through Paris, following dedicated cycling paths to sights like the Eiffel Tower, La Défense, and Bois de Boulogne. The route continues along the Seine to where the barge is moored in Bougival, a town that inspired artists including Claude Monet. In the evening, enjoy a guided walk through Bougival, known for its artistic heritage.Day 6: Bougival - Conflans, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today you will ride to Versailles, with time to explore the Royal Gardens. This world-famous site, a symbol of French heritage, offers a chance to see the fountains and formal gardens. The tour then continues to Conflans, passing the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and through the Saint-Germain forest. Conflans, a historical port town, marks a perfect stop for the night.Day 7: Conflans - Auvers-sur-Oise, 19 mi. (30 km)
The final ride takes you to Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh spent his last days. En route, visit the Axe Majeur, a monumental artwork providing views of Paris and La Défense. Once in Auvers, your guide will take you to key sites connected to Van Gogh, including his final resting place alongside his brother Theo.Day 8: Depart from Auvers-sur-Oise
Your tour concludes today at 10 am following breakfast.*Please note that all distances are approximate. The planned itinerary may change, sometimes at short notice, due to varying weather conditions, wind, or other unforeseen factors such as mooring requirements, changes in docking locations, lock repairs, and more.
Auvers-sur-Oise to Moret-sur-Loing
Day 1: Arrival in Auvers-sur-Oise, 6 mi (10 km)
Day 2: Auvers-sur-Oise - Conflans, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 3: Conflans - Bougival, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Bougival - Paris, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Paris - Vigneux
Day 6: Vigneux - Melun, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Melun - Moret-sur-Loing, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 8: Departure from Moret-sur-Loing
Day 1: Arrival in Auvers-sur-Oise, 6 mi. (10 km)
Arrive at the barge moored in Auvers-sur-Oise between 1 and 2 PM. Once on board, settle in and enjoy a welcome cup of coffee or tea while meeting the tour leader, skipper, crew, and fellow travelers. During dinner, the crew will outline the itinerary for the week and provide important cycling and safety instructions. Afterward, join the tour leader for a short introductory bike ride around Auvers-sur-Oise, giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with the area and ease into the cycling experience.Day 2: Auvers-sur-Oise - Conflans, 19 mi. (30 km)
Today begins with a guided walk through Auvers-sur-Oise, visiting the graves of Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo. Then, cycle toward Conflans, stopping at the monumental Axe Majeur for panoramic views of Paris and La Défense.Day 3: Conflans - Bougival, 28 mi. (45 km)
The day begins with a ride through the Saint-Germain forest and past the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, heading to Versailles. Spend the afternoon exploring the Royal Gardens. Afterward, a short ride takes you to Bougival, where a guided evening walk through town awaits.Day 4: Bougival - Paris, 25 mi. (40 km)
Begin your day cycling along the Seine towards Paris. Cycle along dedicated bike routes with minimal traffic to iconic Parisian sights like La Défense, the Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame. The ride ends at Bassin de la Villette, where you can enjoy an evening dining out in Paris.Day 5: Paris - Vigneux
Today is a relaxing day on board as the barge cruises south from Paris to Vigneux. Spend your morning exploring Paris before the barge departs around 3 PM.Day 6: Vigneux - Melun, 31 mi. (50 km)
Cycle along the Seine through the beautiful Forêt de Sénart, stopping in Corbeil-Essonnes for a coffee. The day’s ride concludes in Melun, where you can explore highlights like the botanical gardens, the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame, and Eglise St. Aspais.Day 7: Melun - Moret-sur-Loing, 28 mi. (45 km)
Your final ride of the week includes a scenic ride from Melun to the artist town of Moret-sur-Loing. Along the way, you’ll pass through the charming village of Barbizon, renowned as a retreat for 19th-century painters. The route continues through the Forêt de Fontainebleau, where you’ll encounter striking rock formations with unique shapes. In Fontainebleau, there will be ample time to explore the beautiful gardens of the historic palace. By afternoon, you’ll reach Moret-sur-Loing where you might enjoy a final evening stroll through the town.Day 8: Departure from Moret-sur-Loing
Your tour concludes today at 10 am following breakfast.*Please note that all distances are approximate. The planned itinerary may change, sometimes at short notice, due to varying weather conditions, wind, or other unforeseen factors such as mooring requirements, changes in docking locations, lock repairs, and more.
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Map
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Boats & Bikes
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Clair de Lune
Standard Class Boat
Touring BicycleElectric Bicycle (E-Bike)![]()
Oxford Touring Bicycle … • 24 speeds … • Handbrakes … • Step-through frame: for passengers from 4'11 to 5'10 / 150 cm - 178 cm … • Men's frame: for passengers from 4'11 to 6'8 / 150 cm - 203 cm … •… Read MoreChildren’s accessories![]()
Freebike … • 7 speeds … • Handbrakes … • With integrated battery … • For passengers from 5'1 to 6'6 / 155 cm - 198 cm … Accessories … • Pannier bag … • Bike helmet … • Bike lock … • Water bottle … Read MoreYouth bikes, tag-along bikes, trailers, and child seats are available for rental. We will provide a price quote to you as well as the child discount applicable. Read MoreOriginally built in 1936 as a freight ship in Belgium, like many of the vessels now used for biking and boating, this vessel was renovated and equipped for a new bike and boat adventure in and around Paris, launching in the spring of 2015. Read More
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfasts, 6 packed lunches, & 6 three-course dinners
- Complimentary coffee & tea on board
- Guided cycle tours
- 24-speed touring bike (Oxford) equipped with panniers, water bottle, lock, & helmet
- Bike Insurance
- 3 guided city walks
- WiFi in the lounge and on deck (limited availability)
- Road book (one per cabin)
- Ferry fares on the route
- Entrance to the Fontainebleau Gardens
- GPS tracks (on request)
What’s Not Included
- Drinks not mentioned
- Entrance to Royal Gardens of Versailles ( appx. € 10)
- Entrance fees to museums
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Questions about dates or pricing? We’re here to help! Call 800-951-4384 to talk to a Tour Specialist now.
Standard season:
Moret - Auvers: Aug 21, Oct 2
Auvers - Moret: Aug 28, Sep 25High season:
Moret - Auvers: Sep 4, 18
Auvers - Moret: Sep 11Low season:
Auvers - Moret: Oct 9- Moret - Auvers 2025 Aug 21, Oct 2 from € 17302025 departures: Aug 21, Oct 2
2025 August Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Double occupancy Double cabin € 1730 Twin cabin with split level beds € 1730 Single occupancy Price Double cabin for single use € 2440 Single cabin € 1750 Bike rental Price Standard touring bike Included Electric bike € 110 Extra Options Price Special diet Gluten free, lactose free, vegan€ 100 Discounts are available for children. Please contact us for more details. - Auvers - Moret 2025 Aug 28, Sep 25 from € 17302025 departures: Aug 28, Sep 25
2025 August Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Double occupancy Double cabin € 1730 Twin cabin with split level beds € 1730 Single occupancy Price Double cabin for single use € 2440 Single cabin € 1750 Bike rental Price Standard touring bike Included Electric bike € 110 Extra Options Price Special diet Gluten free, lactose free, vegan€ 100 Discounts are available for children. Please contact us for more details.
- Moret - Auvers 2025 Sep 4, 18 from € 18702025 departures: Sep 4, 18
2025 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Double occupancy Double cabin € 1870 Twin cabin with split level beds € 1870 Single occupancy Price Double cabin for single use € 2650 Single cabin € 1945 Bike rental Price Standard touring bike Included Electric bike € 110 Extra Options Price Special diet Gluten free, lactose free, vegan€ 100 Discounts are available for children. Please contact us for more details. - Auvers - Moret 2025 Sep 11 from € 18702025 departures: Sep 11
2025 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Double occupancy Double cabin € 1870 Twin cabin with split level beds € 1870 Single occupancy Price Double cabin for single use € 2650 Single cabin € 1945 Bike rental Price Standard touring bike Included Electric bike € 110 Extra Options Price Special diet Gluten free, lactose free, vegan€ 100 Discounts are available for children. Please contact us for more details.
- Auvers - Moret 2025 Oct 9 from € 15902025 departures: Oct 9
2025 October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Double occupancy Double cabin € 1590 Twin cabin with split level beds € 1590 Single occupancy Price Double cabin for single use € 2230 Single cabin € 1645 Bike rental Price Standard touring bike Included Electric bike € 110 Extra Options Price Special diet Gluten free, lactose free, vegan€ 100 Discounts are available for children. Please contact us for more details.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
- Moret - Auvers 2025 Aug 21, Oct 2 from € 1730
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Extra Info
Airport Info
The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
Local Travel
Moret-sur-Loing: By train, it is about 2.5 hours to the railway station in Saint-Mammès from Charles de Gaulle. It’s then a 30-minute walk or a short taxi ride to the barge mooring location. Alternatively, a taxi from the airport in Paris to the mooring place will take about 2.5 hours.
Auvers-sur-Oise- Via train, the total journey from Charles de Gaulle takes about 1.5 hours. Once in Auvers-sur-Oise, it’s a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride to the barge mooring location. Alternatively, a taxi from the airport in Paris to the mooring place will take about 1.5 hours.
Climate
From August through October, the climate along this tour route is generally mild and comfortable for cycling. In August, temperatures are warm, ranging from 65-80°F (18-27°C), with sunny days and occasional rain showers. By September and October, temperatures cool to 50-70°F (10-21°C), and autumn colors begin to appear, especially in the forests. Rain becomes more frequent in October.
Remarks
Please note that tour prices are based on the current fuel rates. If fuel prices increase by more than 5% (as of June 2024), a supplemental fee may be required, even for existing reservations. There is also the possibility that tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure may be canceled. We advise that you check the status of your departure before making your air travel arrangements.
Important to know
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour Operator
This tour is run by CycleTours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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Photos
![The Seine River in Paris, France. unsplash:gettyimages]()
![Fontainebleau is famous for its historic château and expansive forest. Flickr:XiquinhoSilva]()
![Le Mairie d’Auvers is a notable building depicted in Vincent van Gogh’s 1890 painting The Town Hall at Auvers. Flickr:Julien Chatelain]()
![French pastries! unsplash:UlyssePointcheval]()
![Sunset in the Palace of Versailles gardens. Flickr:Abubakr Saeed]()
![Vincent Van Gogh is buried alongside his beloved brother, Theo van Gogh, in the Cemetery of Auvers-sur-Oise. Flickr:Julien Chatelain]()
![The classic french Pizza Reine. ©heather]()
![Moret-sur-Loing sits on the scenic Loing River, which has long been a subject of art and photography. unsplash:FreeNomad]()
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![Macarons represent the elegance and precision of French pastry-making. unpslash:gerichapple]()
![The Hameau de la Reine at Versailles, a rustic retreat created for Marie Antoinette in the late 18th century. unsplash:richard hedrick]()
![Vigneux-sur-Seine is known for its natural beauty, parks, and riverside views. unsplash:murilosilva]()
![La Tour Eiffel is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. ©heather]()
![Moret-sur-Loing is known for inspiring Impressionist painters. unsplash:FreeNomad]()
![Jardin des Tuileries is one of the most scenic places in Paris. ©heather]()
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![The Royal Gardens of Versailles. unsplash:ArmandKhoury]()
![The Church of Saint-Rémy in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. unsplash:ischessyca]()
![Delicious caprese salad in Paris. ©heather]()
![Café de Flore in Saint-Germain, established in the 1880s, is a historic gathering spot for writers, artists, and philosophers. ©heather]()
![The Porte de Bourgogne, in Moret-sur-Loing, dates back to the Middle Ages. unsplash:freenomad]()
![The beautiful streets of Montmartre. unsplash:satvik]()
![Cafe and croissants in France. unsplash:curatedlifestyle]()
![Intricate wood carvings commonly found in doorways of medieval towns like Moret-sur-loing. unsplash:freenomad]()
![This spot in Moret-sur-Loing is one of the most iconic views in town, often depicted by Impressionist artists. unsplash:Free Nomad]()
![Beautiful bridges in Paris. ©heather]()
![Église Notre-Dame in Moret-sur-Loing, a Gothic-style church from the 12th century. unsplash:ischessyca]()
![The gardens of Versailles. Flickr:Xiquinho Silva]()
![Paris is also known as the City of Light. unsplash:leonard cotte]()
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