Champagne Region by E-Bike and Barge
E-Bike hire - €273 pp
Single cabin - price on request
Overview
The Champagne tour is a bike and barge touring classic. From the time the Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon invented the bubbly drink in 1670 at the Abbey of Hautvillers, the Champagne name has been synonymous worldwide with the very best of sparkling wines.
Each day you will cycle along small country roads and tracks, down the beautiful slopes of the wide river valley and through the rolling hills of the Champagne vineyards.
On a daily basis you'll have the opportunity to cycle to boutique wineries, sample a variety of champagnes, taste delicious cheeses of the Brie region and generally discover all gems that the Champagne region, UNESCO world heritage, has to offer.
As well as visiting the Champagne region, you'll also have the opportunity to explore Paris, one of Europe’s most beautiful and beloved cities. Other highlights of the tour include a visit to the city of Meaux, well known for its Brie cheeses and a stopover in Château-Thierry, scene of major battles in World War I. Along the way you will cycle through almost endless vineyards on the rolling banks of the Marne river and visit a local wine farmer. The tour ends in the city of Epernay, the real capital of the Champagne region, where you will have the opportunity to visit one of the town’s imposing champagne cellars.
Your floating hotel will cruise along with you. You have the choice of a longer or shorter ride most days and can always take a day off and stay aboard the riverboat.
Highlights
Culture: Learn about the production, traditions, history, and social significance associated with Champagne.
Nature: Follow the Marne River and its tributaries.
Activity: Visit the famous champagne cellars in Epernay, explore Paris, visit the city of Meaux and Château-Thierry.
Culinary: Dom Perignon and the secrets of Champagne, the exquisite Brie de Meaux, pain au chocolat.
Souvenir: Champagne or champagne flutes.
Note 1 : Exclusive e-bike only barge tour.
Note 2: We also offer the tour in reverse - Epernay to Paris please contact us for more details.
Tour Gallery
Full Itinerary
Arrival in Paris
Welcome to Paris! Embarkation and check-in is at 14:00. After a welcome from the captain, crew and tour guide, we'll begin our tour. We'll cruise through Paris as we make our way to Lagny-sur-Marne, located on the border between the bustling city and the French countryside. During the cruise, the guide will give a safety lecture and talk about the week ahead. After dinner there will be time to explore Lagny.
Cycling Distance: 0
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Lagny-sur-Marne
Lagny-sur-Marne
This morning you'll be fitted to your bikes before setting off on your first bike ride along the Marne River. You can choose between two options today - an easy ride along the river or a more challenging, longer route. With either option, you will pass the castles of Champs-sur-Marne and cycle through the surrounding gardens. The Château de Champs-sur-Marne is typical of the residences built in the countryside in the 18th century, which gave rise to a new style of living. It is one of the most magnificently furnished castles in the Ile-de-France.
Cycling Distance: 22 or 42 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Lagny-sur-Marne
Lagny-sur-Marne to Meaux
From Lagny-sur-Marne there are two bike options. The first kilometers of both options are uphill. If you choose the short ride your first challenge is the hill near Chalifert. The barge will take the tunnel through the hill, but cyclists can test their fitness and muscles for the first time by climbing and crossing the hill by bicycle. If you choose the longer option, there will be more hills as you leave the valley of Marne.
Later you will follow the small Canal de l’Ourq - built by Napoleon to transport wood, grain and fresh water to Paris. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its “Brie de Meaux” cheeses and the magnificent Cathedral St.Etienne.
Cycling Distance: 22 or 42 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Meaux
Meaux to La Ferté-sous-Jouarre
There are two cycling options again today.
If you choose the shorter option you'll ride along rolling hills on the south bank of the Marne river through forests and small villages.
If you choose the longer option you'll ride along the river valley through Trilport and Lizy-sur-Ourcq in the morning. Later you'll have a few challenging climbs as you leave the valley heading towards Jouarre.
We'll all meet in Jouarre for a presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie Noir cheeses at the family-run Fromagerie Ganot. We will have dinner on board and spend the night in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or a village nearby.
Cycling Distance: 30 or 66 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or a village nearby.
La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry
Today's ride is a little more challenging as we cycle from La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry. We begin our ride along the Marne river before following a side valley where we'll bike along country roads through various small villages and hamlets. We'll continue riding uphill to the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley, where the forest changes to agricultural land. Then we'll follow the valley of the small river Clignon. En route you can visit the large WW1 American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau. We'll finish the day's ride with a descent to Château-Thierry.
Château-Thierry owes its name to the castle that once was situated on the slopes above the Marne. You can still see some remnants. The town was the site of two important battles: the Battle of 1814 in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia and the Battle of 1918 at the end of World War I. Château-Thierry is also known as the native town of the world-famous writer of fables Jean de la Fontaine. Dinner on board and night in Château-Thierry.
Cycling Distance: 40 or 57 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Château-Thierry
Château-Thierry to Dormans and Epernay
During breakfast the ship will take us to Mont St. Pierre lock. Today we will enter the official Champagne area. Dormans is a quiet village on the Marne with a castle and chapel in memory of the battle of the Marne. During World War I this area was the scene of intense battles. After a ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne, we'll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne valley and the Champagne vineyards.
This evening you will have time to explore the village and have dinner in one of the local restaurants (own cost)
Cycling Distance: 35 or 55 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Boat in Epernay
Epernay Round Tour
Today we'll ride to Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay.along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne river. We'll return via Dizy and visit Hautvillers. After a somewhat challenging ascent you will reach this picturesque village of Champagne wine growers on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. A highlight is a visit to the chapel with the tomb of the monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715). While in charge of the wine cellars of a Benedictine abbey, Dom Pérignon pioneered a number of winemaking techniques. He was the first to blend grapes in such a way as to improve the quality of regional wines. He also introduced double fermentation, characteristic for the making of champagne.
After our stop we'll cycle back to Epernay for lunch. We'll spend the afternoon visiting the towns of Epernay and Reims on foot. Epernay is the major wine center of the Champagne region, where three extensive wine regions meet: the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. We'll visit the Avenue of Champagne with its neo-renaissance or classical style architecture, dating back to the 19th century. This is also where we'll find the prestigious champagne houses, such as Moët & Chandon and Mercier. We'll enjoy a Champagne tasting and tour in one of these major Champagne houses.
Cycling Distance: 17 or 26 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Epernay
Departure from Epernay
After breakfast we say 'au revoir' to the group. Disembarkation is until 9.00 a.m.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast
Download the Itinerary PDF here
All distances are approximate. Our tours often go off the beaten track and follow routes that are not always predictable. We cannot always guarantee the weather. For these reasons we may occasionally have to update our itineraries. We will only do this to improve your experience or for safety reasons. Our listed accommodation is always accurate at the time of writing but should we need to change you can rest assured that it will be for similar or better. Display price may differ to what is quoted as this tour is invoiced in the currency stated, and can be dynamic with daily exchange rates.
The Details
- 7 nights - cabin (twin share) with ensuite and air conditioning
- All Meals: except dinner on day 6
- Coffee and tea on board
- Welcome drink
- Bed linen and towels
- Daily clean of the cabin
- Daily briefings
- Fully guided cycling tours
- Some short walking tours
- Cycling map
- GPS app
- Use of helmet and waterproof pannier bag
- Biodegradable water bottle
- Fees for ferries
- Brie cheese tasting in Jouarre
- Champagne tasting at local producer
- Visit champagne cellar in Epernay
- Wi-Fi
- Flights, airport taxes, passport & visa expenses
- 1 x dinner - day 6
- Bike hire
- Single room surcharge
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Optional trips, sightseeing tours & entrance fees
- Pre and post tour nights
- Personal expenses & drinks
- Transfers to/from the docking place
- Tips for guide(s) and drivers, support staff
- SGR Insolvency protection €5 (mandatory)
Our leisure trips are designed for the rider to take in their surroundings at a comfortable pace.
There are no big climbs or technical sections. The riding is on quiet country roads or tracks with rolling hills.
Cycling distances vary from 30 – 50 km per day. The comfortable e-bike will provide you with extra power when you need it and give you a boost up the hills.
You'll need a moderate level of fitness and be confident handling an e-bike.
The daily cycling tours will be accompanied by knowledgeable and multi-lingual tour leader(s). On most days you will be able to choose between a longer or shorter/more relaxed cycling option.
If you're unsure about anything, please see our FAQs page for extra information.
FAQsBooking information
Participants will be asked to complete a booking form after confirmation of their booking.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
To ensure the trip's viability with our suppliers, a minimum number of participants is usually required. Upon submitting your booking request, we will provide specifics regarding minimum numbers. Following trip confirmation, you may proceed with flight bookings and other travel arrangements. A ‘Limited’ trip status signifies limited spaces available. For trip status inquiries, kindly email or call our office.
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We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance on payment of your tour deposit in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your tour.
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For all overseas tours, the terms and conditions, laws, and jurisdiction of the destination country will apply. By booking a tour with us, you acknowledge and agree that local regulations, industry practices, and terms specific to the destination country may supersede or modify our standard terms. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable local laws and regulations while participating in the tour.
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