Cycling / Biking Barge Cruise Itinerary
Barge and Bike cruises include daily cycling with a professional cycling guide and an upgrade of bicycles. Barge L'Art de Vivre cruises one of France's longest-established canals, the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy. This region of Burgundy, with its charming villages and centuries-old history, is truly fascinating.
Sunday, Day 1 - Auxerre
Guests are met at the designated meeting point and transferred to the barge moored in Auxerre, Burgundy. Following a Champagne Welcome, you are free to explore the medieval town of Auxerre or take a stroll along the banks of the River Yonne before returning for dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 - Auxerre to Vincelles
This morning cyclists head off through the cherry orchards up to Vallan, Escamps and Chastenay. Enjoy a cooling break while visiting the subterranean caverns at Taingy, from which the famous Burgundian limestone was extracted to build monuments such as the Pantheon and la Madeleine in Paris, and even the first water tower in Chicago. Buffet Lunch. Return to the barge via Molesmes and Charentenay with optional wine tasting chez Mr. Bon, in the hamlet of Migé. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Vincelles to Mailly la Ville
Our itinerary today takes cyclists up though the narrow streets of Irancy, the latest wine village to be awarded its own appellation-controlée. Continue on a narrow track straight up through the vineyards and plunge down to St Bris where a short break is spent in the 12th-century cellars of Mr. Bersan. Cross country on the "Grande Randonnée track 13" follows with buffet lunch/barbecue in the grounds of a 17th-century watermill. An afternoon cycle circuit takes in Accolay, and Fontenay sous Fouronnes before rejoining the barge at Bazarnes for a short evening cruise to Mailly la Ville. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Mailly la Ville to Le Saussois
As the barge leaves Mailly la Ville, cyclists disembark at the first lock and follow the GR 13 along the banks of the River Cure through Bessy and Arcy sur Cure. An old Roman road leads back over the hill down to Pregilbert where L'Art de Vivre is mooring up. Lunch ashore. Afternoon cycling to Mailly le Château and The Rochers du Saussois, with perhaps a stop at the 14th-century tower, studio of local artist M. Rose, before rejoining the barge at Le Saussois. We will dine ashore at Le Château de Vault-de-Lugny, a secluded and romantic 5-star hotel with a history that dates back almost nine hundred years.
Thursday, Day 5 - Le Saussois to Lucy sur Yonne
As the L'Art de Vivre slips its mooring, this morning's ride traverses the Bois d'Arcy and climbs to one of Burgundy's most picturesque hilltop settings, Vézelay. After discovering the world famous Romanesque Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene, a swoop downhill takes us through St. Père sous Vezelay to meet our chef, setting up a buffet luncheon on the banks of the River Cure, alongside the mediaeval bridge at Pierre Perthuis. Our afternoon ride is through Fontenay and the forest of Chauffour-Ferrières to the village of Lucy sur Yonne where the barge is moored for the night. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 - Lucy sur Yonne to Chevroches
A morning cruise through beautiful countryside then takes us to Chevroches. Later we cycle to Dornecy through the Fôret de Champôrnot. We enjoy a buffet lunch somewhere in the greenery, and then back to the barge, along the towpath, moored at Chevroche. Captains Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 - Chevroches
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the designated drop off point in Paris. (Various pick up and drop off points are avaiable for charter groups)
NOTE:
- Cycling themed barge cruises are charter only.
- This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
- The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternate weeks.
- The Biking Plus option is also available
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