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Overview
This electric bike and boat tour follows the Seine River as it meanders in picturesque in wide loops through the Ile de France and Normandy, connecting Paris with the sea. It is a region that has experienced a turbulent past, from the invasions by the fierce Vikings to more recent times, with the battle scars of WWII still apparent.
Today, Normandy is an idyllic, peaceful place, laced with farmland, and dotted with orchards and half-timbered villages. Its ancient history is found in the romantic ruins and magnificent châteaux. Painters and poets were inspired here. You will be too.
The highlights of the trip are the historic city of Rouen and the coastal town of Étretat, which lies between steep, chalk cliffs. A visit to the picturesque water lily garden of Monét and the varied city tour in Paris round off the landscape and cultural experience along the river.
Highlights
- Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Étretat & Paris
- Picturesque landscapes of Île de France with Giverny, Les Andelys and Normandy
- The Orangery in Paris with Monet's water lily cycle
- Alabaster Coast
- Accommodations on the Viva, state of the art river cruise ship
- Stress-free battery-assisted cycling with a support vehicle
Take a look at our full list of bike & barge tours in France.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Paris
Day 2: Rouen, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 3: Rouen - Jumieges - Rouen, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Caudebec-en-Caux - Côte d´Albatre, 38 km (60 km)
Day 5: Lionheart Ritterburg on White Cliffs & Monet's home and garden, 28 mi. (46 km)
Day 6: Savoir-vivre on the Seine
Day 7: Paris, 17 mi. (28 km)
Day 8: Departure or extension in ParisAll distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change, at times without prior notice. Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.
Day 1: Arrival onboard in Paris
At 5 p.m. your tour guides will welcome you onboard in Paris for embarkation. After you settle into your cabin, your tour guide will explain the itinerary to you. At 9 p.m., the Viva will cast off and set course towards Normandy.Day 2: Rouen, 12 mi. (20 km)
You depart from the Ile de France overnight and wake up to the serene beauty of Normandy in the morning. Enjoy the scenic ride aboard your ship as it gracefully navigates the wide loops of the Seine, passing by quaint villages, verdant meadows, and densely forested hills. You begin your stay in Rouen in the afternoon with a short bike ride to a panoramic viewpoint over the city. During the subsequent city tour on foot through the old town of Rouen, we will also show you the famous, impressive cathedral. Rouen exudes medieval charm with its iconic clock tower and magnificent cathedral. The towering spires of the cathedral dominate the city's skyline, evoking a sense of grandeur and history. A poignant reminder of the city's past unfolds at the square "Du Vieux Marché," where Jeanne d’Arc, the Maid of Orleans, met a tragic fate, being burned as a witch. Your ship will remain moored overnight in Rouen, allowing you ample time to wander the medieval streets and soak in the city's ambiance. A special treat awaits in the summer months: as the sun sets, the cathedral is bathed in a mesmerizing light show accompanied by music (available from June 1st to September 15th). We highly recommend experiencing this captivating spectacle after dinner. It's just a short 15-minute walk from the ship to the cathedral portal, where you can witness this enchanting display free of charge.Day 3: Rouen - Jumieges - Rouen, 28 mi. (45 km), mighty monasteries
You depart by electric bike not far from the jetty, riding out of the city on side streets. Today you cycle on the "Route of the Romanesque Monasteries". You will cross two of the most beautiful river loops in the heart of Normandy. On the way, you will reach the magnificent ruins of the monastery of Jumièges. This 11th-century Benedictine abbey is one of the most impressive ruins in France. At lunchtime, your tour guides will prepare a delicious picnic for you. A short transfer in the afternoon will bring you back into the city to the ship. In the evening, the ship continues navigating towards the Atlantic.Day 4: Alabaster Coast, 31 mi. (50 km)
The morning's highlight is the wonderful Côte d´Albatre, the most spectacular section of the Norman coast. The small seaside resort of Étretat lies magically between the steep chalk cliffs. The breathtaking beauty of this landscape will be especially lovely as you hike on a cliff path with amazing views. The imposing, needle-shaped formations have already inspired many great artists, including Boudin, Monet, and Manet. After a short break, you cycle through Norman villages, past large farms with white cattle and small châteaux to Tancarville. From here the transfer will bring you back to the ship in Caudebec-en-Caux.Day 5: Lionheart Ritterburg on White Cliffs & Monet's home and garden, 28 mi. (46 km)
In the morning, your ship arrives at the picturesque town of Les Andelys, where the Seine River creates wide loops and has carved stunning limestone cliffs. The majestic ruins of Richard the Lionheart stand proudly above the river, offering a romantic view of the quaint half-timbered village nestled at the base of the towering white cliffs. Begin your adventure with a cycling tour that takes you along the scenic banks of the Seine, followed by a mountain path leading back to the impressive ruins of Richard the Lionheart. On this guided walk, you'll uncover the castle's historical significance and its dramatic decline, all while enjoying breathtaking views from the top. Once you reach the summit, e-bikes will be ready for your next leg of the journey. Pedal along the serene Seine River toward Giverny, home to Claude Monet’s iconic water lily ponds and gardens. The renowned Impressionist artist lived here for 50 years, and his charming green and pink house remains as if he had just stepped out. Explore the beautifully overgrown garden that inspired many of his masterpieces. After strolling through the expansive grounds, continue your cycling adventure on side paths to La Roche Guyon Castle, a striking structure that rises dramatically from the white limestone cliffs. Enjoy panoramic views of the Seine from the castle gardens, where your tour guides will share fascinating insights about its history.A short transfer will bring you back to the A-ROSA VIVA in the early evening, which will be docked in Vernon, ready for your next exploration. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience along the Seine!
Day 6: Savoir-vivre on the Seine
Today, enjoy a full day onboard your ship on a leisure cruise on the meandering Seine through the Ile de France to Paris. In the afternoon, your guide will provide an informative session about the country and its people. This is the perfect day to enjoy the passing river scenery and let yourself be pampered onboard. Overnight and dinner on board.Day 7: Paris, 17 mi. (28 km). Orangerie Urban Quarters
You cycle to Tuileries Gardens. In the middle of the gardens is the Orangery Museum, which houses the impressive Water Lilies by Monet and a remarkable collection of works by Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso or Matisse, and the Jeu de Paume. During a detailed tour, you will learn more about the painter Monet and his contemporaries. In the afternoon, the final highlight awaits you with a visit to the Musée Rodin.Paris has countless museums, many of which are among the most important and famous in the world. The small Rodin Museum shows the unique art of France's most famous sculptor. The age of modern sculpture began with Auguste Rodin. Together with his student and lover Camille Claudel, he created works whose intense sensuality touches the viewer deeply. One of his masterpieces is “The Kiss”, whose passion, frozen in marble, fascinates every visitor. A pretty, small park adjoins the museum, which shows other important sculptures by the master such as “The Thinker” and “The Citizens of Calais”. In the evening you will be served an excellent final dinner on board.
Day 8: Departure or extension in Paris
After breakfast on board, disembarkation takes place in Paris. Of course, it is advisable to extend another night (or two) in Paris in order to experience this lively and fascinating city even more extensively.Browse our variety of trips, including biking, hiking, multi-adventure, cruising, and villa stays!
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Map
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Boats & Bikes
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights in the selected category of cabin
- Breakfast
- Lunch as a picnic buffet or as a buffet on board according to the program
- 7 multi-course dinners in buffet form
- All drinks are included on this trip, with the exception of champagne, bottled wine, & exclusive rarities
- Support vehicle
- Electric bike
- Fully guided cycling itinerary
- All visits & admissions as indicated in the itinerary
- All transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Departure airport transfer
What’s Not Included
- Helmet
- Gratuities
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates
2025
Thursday departures
May 8, June 19, August 14, August 21, September 25, 2025Please 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
Pricing
2025
Deluxe Class
Viva
Category A: Lower deck cabin, double/twin bed (size 200 x 160 cm), portholes
Category C: Main deck cabin, double/twin bed (size 200 x 160 cm), french balcony
Category D: Upper deck cabin, double/twin bed (size 200 x 160 cm), french balconyMay 8 June 19 & September 25 August 14 & August 21 Category A Double cabin $ 6378 £ 3275 $ 5,798 € 3858 Ft 1612076 kr 572564 ₪ 15489 ¥ 643304 Mex$ 84214 NZ$ 7056 kr 45848 zł 17053 S$ 5567 kr 45729 CHF 3665 $ 4,145 $ 4926 £ 2530 $ 4,479 € 2980 Ft 1245201 kr 442261 ₪ 11964 ¥ 496902 Mex$ 65048 NZ$ 5451 kr 35414 zł 13172 S$ 4300 kr 35322 CHF 2831 $ 3,201 $ 4816 £ 2473 $ 4,378 € 2913 Ft 1217205 kr 432317 ₪ 11695 ¥ 485730 Mex$ 63586 NZ$ 5328 kr 34618 zł 12876 S$ 4204 kr 34528 CHF 2767 $ 3,129 Double for single-use on request $ 6378 £ 3275 $ 5,798 € 3858 Ft 1612076 kr 572564 ₪ 15489 ¥ 643304 Mex$ 84214 NZ$ 7056 kr 45848 zł 17053 S$ 5567 kr 45729 CHF 3665 $ 4,145 $ 5740 £ 2947 $ 5,218 € 3472 Ft 1450785 kr 515278 ₪ 13940 ¥ 578941 Mex$ 75788 NZ$ 6350 kr 41261 zł 15346 S$ 5010 kr 41154 CHF 3298 $ 3,730 Category C Double cabin $ 5588 £ 2869 $ 5,080 € 3380 Ft 1412343 kr 501624 ₪ 13570 ¥ 563600 Mex$ 73780 NZ$ 6182 kr 40168 zł 14940 S$ 4877 kr 40064 CHF 3211 $ 3,631 $ 5588 £ 2869 $ 5,080 € 3380 Ft 1412343 kr 501624 ₪ 13570 ¥ 563600 Mex$ 73780 NZ$ 6182 kr 40168 zł 14940 S$ 4877 kr 40064 CHF 3211 $ 3,631 $ 5477 £ 2812 $ 4,979 € 3313 Ft 1384346 kr 491681 ₪ 13301 ¥ 552428 Mex$ 72317 NZ$ 6060 kr 39372 zł 14644 S$ 4781 kr 39269 CHF 3147 $ 3,559 Double for single-use $ 7436 £ 3818 $ 6,760 € 4498 Ft 1879502 kr 667546 ₪ 18059 ¥ 750022 Mex$ 98184 NZ$ 8227 kr 53454 zł 19881 S$ 6491 kr 53315 CHF 4273 $ 4,832 $ 7436 £ 3818 $ 6,760 € 4498 Ft 1879502 kr 667546 ₪ 18059 ¥ 750022 Mex$ 98184 NZ$ 8227 kr 53454 zł 19881 S$ 6491 kr 53315 CHF 4273 $ 4,832 $ 6664 £ 3422 $ 6,058 € 4031 Ft 1684365 kr 598239 ₪ 16184 ¥ 672151 Mex$ 87990 NZ$ 7373 kr 47904 zł 17817 S$ 5817 kr 47780 CHF 3829 $ 4,330 Category D Double cabin $ 5808 £ 2982 $ 5,280 € 3513 Ft 1467917 kr 521363 ₪ 14104 ¥ 585777 Mex$ 76683 NZ$ 6425 kr 41749 zł 15528 S$ 5069 kr 41640 CHF 3337 $ 3,774 $ 5808 £ 2982 $ 5,280 € 3513 Ft 1467917 kr 521363 ₪ 14104 ¥ 585777 Mex$ 76683 NZ$ 6425 kr 41749 zł 15528 S$ 5069 kr 41640 CHF 3337 $ 3,774 $ 5697 £ 2925 $ 5,179 € 3446 Ft 1439921 kr 511420 ₪ 13835 ¥ 574605 Mex$ 75220 NZ$ 6303 kr 40952 zł 15231 S$ 4973 kr 40846 CHF 3273 $ 3,702 Double for single-use $ 7788 £ 3999 $ 7,080 € 4711 Ft 1968505 kr 699158 ₪ 18914 ¥ 785538 Mex$ 102833 NZ$ 8617 kr 55986 zł 20823 S$ 6798 kr 55840 CHF 4475 $ 5,061 $ 7788 £ 3999 $ 7,080 € 4711 Ft 1968505 kr 699158 ₪ 18914 ¥ 785538 Mex$ 102833 NZ$ 8617 kr 55986 zł 20823 S$ 6798 kr 55840 CHF 4475 $ 5,061 $ 6973 £ 3581 $ 6,339 € 4218 Ft 1762503 kr 625992 ₪ 16935 ¥ 703333 Mex$ 92072 NZ$ 7715 kr 50127 zł 18644 S$ 6087 kr 49997 CHF 4007 $ 4,531 Because of rising fuel costs, prices are subject to change.
Book before November 30, 2024 and receive 200 Euros off all 2025 departures.
Extra Options
Helmet rental $ 17 £ 8 $ 15 € 10 Ft 4179 kr 1484 ₪ 40 ¥ 1667 Mex$ 218 NZ$ 18 kr 119 zł 44 S$ 14 kr 119 CHF 9 $ 11 Arrival transfer from Paris Airport, 1 - 3 people $ 50 £ 25 $ 45 € 30 Ft 12536 kr 4452 ₪ 120 ¥ 5002 Mex$ 655 NZ$ 55 kr 357 zł 133 S$ 43 kr 356 CHF 28 $ 32 Departure transfer to Paris Airport, 1 - 3 people $ 50 £ 25 $ 45 € 30 Ft 12536 kr 4452 ₪ 120 ¥ 5002 Mex$ 655 NZ$ 55 kr 357 zł 133 S$ 43 kr 356 CHF 28 $ 32 Transfer prices subject to change due to rising fuel costs.
Please note that transfer reservations must be made well in advance of your tour date. Transfer distance is 11 mi. (18 km) and transfer time is 20-25 minutes of travel.
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
Rating a tour is one of the most difficult things we do. The bike route takes you through the picturesque landscape of the Seine Valley along the flat river slopes. The total distance by e-bike and on foot is 189 km. The bike routes mostly run on cycle paths with little traffic or on small side streets. All gradients are easy to ride with e-bikes! On an electric bike, we are giving this tour an easy rating. On your premium pedelec equipped with Bosch or Shimano mid-mounted motor, you can decide how much assistance you require. The difficulty rating will be entirely up to you.
Airport Info
The closest international airport is Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG).
Local Travel
The airport is located approx. 35 km northeast of Paris. The RER trains are the most practical and fastest way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to central Paris. The ride with the RER B takes about 35 minutes. The price for a single ticket is € 10 (no discounts for children). There are two RER stations at Charles de Gaulle Airport: Terminal 1-3 and Terminal 2. A quick look at your flight ticket usually reveals to which terminal your flight is arriving and/or departing. Charles de Gaulle Airport is very well signposted. To get to the RER, you just have to follow the signs “Paris by train” after leaving the baggage area. The RER train stops in all Paris RER stations (Gare du Nord, Châtelet Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Denfert Rochereau and Cité Universitaire). From there you can change to the metro trains. The ticket for the RER transfer from the airport to the city center is also valid for the metro, so you don’t have to buy a new ticket. Please book your flight so that you arrive at the airport no later than 3 pm, otherwise, you run the risk of yourself arriving too late at the meeting point on board the ship (5 pm) and unable to take part in the panorama tour.
Climate
The weather in Central France and Normandy can be capricious. During the day, the climate is usually pleasantly warm. In the evening it can get noticeably cooler. In addition to clothing for dinner and cycling clothes, don’t forget your swimsuit!
Important to know
Travel Documents
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.CO2 Compensation
The CO2 compensation program benefits the non-profit Wilderness International Foundation based in Germany and Canada. The aim of the foundation is to protect unique, intact, natural areas in the temperate rain forest on Canada's west coast. The protected areas are located in British Columbia's Toba Valley, about 160km north of Vancouver. There, the foundation buys wilderness areas that are legally protected in the long term by being entered in the land register. This in turn, benefits us all. The costs cover the compensation within the destination (excluding arrival and departure travel).
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Terranova.
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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