%201.svg){kind=logo}
Paris & The Heart of Northern France
E-Bike hire - €287.00 per person
Single cabin - price on request
Special dietary requests €70 per person
Overview
The route follows the waterways of Northern France, through a region rich in beauty, art, and history. You’ll visit grand French landmarks such as the Château de Chantilly, the storybook Château de Pierrefonds, and the graceful Château de Champs-sur-Marne. You’ll also spend time in places closely connected to beloved artists, including Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh spent his final days, and the Île des Impressionnistes, which inspired painters such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
And then there is Paris. Elegant, iconic, and endlessly fascinating, the French capital is one of the great highlights of this journey. Whether you choose to explore by bike, stroll along the Seine, enjoy dinner in a classic brasserie, or simply soak up the city’s atmosphere, Paris adds a memorable touch of romance and sophistication to the tour.
Throughout the week, the experience is designed to feel effortless. Your ship carries you from place to place, your guide brings the region to life, and each day offers a comfortable balance of activity, culture, scenery, and downtime. It’s France at an easygoing pace — with just the right amount of adventure.
This journey brings together many of the pleasures people dream of when they imagine France: Paris, châteaux, riverside towns, café terraces, art, history, and beautiful countryside. What makes it special is the pace. You are not rushing from one landmark to the next. You travel slowly, comfortably, and with time to take in the places around you.
Throughout the week, the experience is designed to feel effortless. Your ship carries you from place to place, your guide brings the region to life, and each day offers a comfortable balance of activity, culture, scenery, and downtime. The boutique-style ship experience with a maximum of 24 guests adds a personal touch, with a welcoming atmosphere on board, easy interaction with fellow travelers, and the feeling of discovering France at a more intimate pace. It’s France at an easygoing rhythm, with just the right amount of adventure.
On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
The tour departs from either Lagny-sur-Marne ( Near Paris) or Soissons alternate weeks
This is an exclusive e-bike only barge tour.
Highlights:
Culture: Learn about the traditions, history, and social significance associated with the grand landmarks of France.
Nature: Traveling by E-bike and boat gives you the best of both worlds: active days in the fresh air, followed by relaxed evenings on board your floating hotel. Taking in the beautiful rivers, rolling countryside and stunning French scenery.
Activity: A visit to Château de Chantilly & Pierrefonds, Van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise and the graceful Château de Champs-sur-Marne
Culinary: The food of France tells the story of its rich country. It is structured by the five "mother sauces" (Béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato) and is so culturally significant that the country's gastronomy was added to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list in 2010
Souvenir: French artwork, cookbooks, wine and French cheese knives.
Tour Gallery
Full Itinerary
ARRIVAL IN LAGNY-SUR-MARNE
Your journey begins in Lagny-sur-Marne, a historic riverside town on the eastern edge of Paris. After embarkation from 2:00 PM, the captain and crew welcome you on board. You’ll receive an introduction to the ship, the week’s program, and your e-bike, with time for fitting and a relaxed first ride. In the evening, gather for your welcome dinner on board and settle into your floating hotel. Ahead lies a week of easygoing cycling, elegant châteaux, Impressionist landscapes, and one of the world’s most beloved cities: Paris.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Lagny-sur-Marne
LAGNY-SUR-MARNE TO PARIS
Your first ride follows the Marne River toward Paris, leading through leafy suburbs, quiet river paths, and green stretches that reveal a gentler side of the French capital.Along the way, you pass the elegant Château de Champs-sur-Marne, one of the most beautiful country estates in the Île-de-France region. With its furnished salons and formal gardens, it offers a graceful glimpse into 18th-century French aristocratic life.As the Marne meets the Seine, the landscape gradually becomes more urban — and then, unmistakably, Paris appears. Your ship is moored in the heart of the city, giving you an unforgettable arrival in the French capital.
Cycling Distance: 46km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Paris
PARIS TO BOUGIVAL
This morning begins with one of the most memorable perspectives on Paris: from the water. As the ship cruises along the Seine, famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower pass by. A beautiful way to take in the city without the crowds or rush.After arriving in Bougival, you set out by e-bike through the elegant western surroundings of Paris. The route includes the Île des Impressionnistes, where artists such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir found inspiration in the river, light, and everyday scenes along the Seine. Many of these places still carry the atmosphere that made them so appealing to the Impressionists. In the evening, enjoy time in Bougival, a charming riverside town known for its peaceful setting on a bend of the Seine.
Cycling Distance: 42km or 54km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Bougival
BOUGIVAL TO AUVERS-SUR-OISE
Today’s ride follows the Seine toward Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where sweeping views open toward the Paris skyline. It is a wonderful moment to look back at the city from a quieter, more elevated perspective.You continue to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, where the Oise flows into the Seine. This historic river town has long been connected to inland shipping, yet its narrow streets, cafés, and church give it a warm, local character. In the afternoon, the route follows the Oise to Auvers-sur-Oise, a village forever linked with Vincent van Gogh. The artist spent his final days here, and many travelers find the atmosphere deeply moving. In the evening, you may wish to walk to his grave: a quiet and memorable moment for anyone with a love of art and history.
Cycling Distance: 59km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Auvers-sur-Oise
AUVERS-SUR-OISE TO BEAUMONT & PONT-SAINTE-MAXENCE
While you enjoy breakfast, the ship takes you to Beaumont, where today’s cycling begins. From here, you ride upstream along the Oise through a calm, rural landscape of river views, fields, and small towns. One of the great highlights of the day is the Château de Chantilly, among the most impressive châteaux in France. Known for its elegant architecture, royal stables, equestrian heritage, and the Musée Condé with its important art collections, Chantilly brings together culture, beauty, and aristocratic French style. Your destination is Pont-Sainte-Maxence, named after a medieval bridge that was once an important crossing on the route between Flanders and Paris. In the evening, enjoy a stroll through the old streets of this picturesque small town before returning to the ship.
Cycling Distance: 46km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Pont-Sainte-Maxence
PONT-SAINTE-MAXENCE TO COMPIÈGNE
Today’s short ride leaves plenty of room to enjoy the atmosphere of the Oise Valley. From Pont-Sainte-Maxence, you cycle through a varied landscape of fields, small villages, and the southern edges of the Forest of Compiègne.This forest was once a hunting ground and retreat for French kings and emperors, and its quiet avenues still create a feeling of space and calm. Wide views over the river landscape add to the relaxed pace of the day. Your destination is Compiègne, a town with elegant architecture and a notable royal past. A walk through the palace gardens is especially rewarding, with their peaceful, almost timeless atmosphere. The evening is yours to enjoy — perhaps with a stroll through the old town or dinner in one of the local restaurants.
Cycling Distance: 15km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Boat in Compiègne
COMPIÈGNE TO SOISSONS
Your final cycling stage leads through the open landscapes of Northern France. The day begins with the beautiful Forest of Compiègne, where shaded paths and quiet avenues make for a memorable last ride.Later, you reach the storybook Château de Pierrefonds, with its towers, battlements, and drawbridges. It is the kind of castle many travelers picture when they imagine historic France — dramatic, romantic, and almost cinematic.Your destination is Soissons, one of the oldest cities in France. Under the Merovingian king Clovis, it was once the capital of the Frankish Kingdom. Today, the city is known for its impressive cathedral, traditional markets, small squares, and welcoming cafés — a fitting final stop on your journey through Northern France.
Cycling Distance: 37km or 52km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Soissons
DEPARTURE FROM SOISSONS
After breakfast, your bike and boat journey comes to an end at 9:30 AM. You say goodbye to the crew and begin your trip home with lasting memories of a week shaped by rivers, art, history, châteaux, and the gentle pleasures of French life. From Paris on the Seine to Van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise, from royal forests to fairytale castles, this journey offers a relaxed and distinctive way to experience France — close up, comfortably, and at just the right pace.
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
- 7 x breakfasts, packed lunches, 6 x 3-course dinners
- Coffee and tea on board
- Welcome drink
- Bed linen and towels
- Daily clean of the cabin
- Daily briefings
- Fully guided cycling tours (from 18 guests: 2 tour leaders, 2 groups)
- Some short walking tours
- Cycling map per cabin
- GPS app
- Use of helmet and waterproof pannier bag
- Biodegradable water bottle
- Fees for ferries
- Entrance to Château de Chantilly
- Entrance to Château de Pierrefonds
- Entrance to The Armistice Carriage
- Wi-F
- The CO2 emissions from this trip will be offset through Trees for All and plastic recycler Orca.
- Flights, airport taxes, passport & visa expenses
- 1 x dinner
- 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 €5pp (mandatory)
Slightly longer distances up to 50km/day on mainly flat terrain with minimal elevation. E-Bikes can give you a boost on the hills. Easy tours are for the rider who wants to take in the surroundings at a comfortable pace. You will need a moderate level of fitness, exercising a couple of days a week and be confident on your bike.
Explore our range of Easy tours here.
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.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit is required to secure your place on your selected tour departure. On receipt of your deposit, Global Cycling Adventures will email you a confirmation to verify your travel arrangements and advise final payment details. The final payment is normally required 60 days before departure date unless otherwise specified.
CANCELLATIONS & AMENDMENTS
All tour cancellations will require notification in writing to Global Cycling Adventures by the person participating on the tour. Please be advised that booking cancellations or amendments will incur relevant fees. Cancellation charges are tour-specific and timing-dependent. For a comprehensive outline of our terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy, please refer to the travel proposal provided by our team.
We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance on payment of your tour deposit in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your tour.
OVERSEAS JURISDICTION AND TERMS
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.
Explore Similar tours
Explore Related Adventures
Don't just take our word for it
After 6 trips with Global Cycling this has to be up with the best! Mike our guide was outstanding. This tour was unforgettable, enough excitement without being dangerous, with very good quality hotels, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
Kristine & Ron
This was my first major overseas trip, and WOW what an experience. The trip was really well organised. I felt safe all the time, and the guides made sure that they took excellent care of us. We always knew what was happening and the non-cycling excursions were fantastic. I can't wait to do my next trip!
Kim Hamill
Excellent tour great to have 2 days at some places! Good mates and loads of fun! Rene was amazing - seems to really enjoy seeing the regular faces, always cheerful and ready to help!
Helene Hudson
The Croatian Islands are truly beautiful, each one with its own unique feel. We were lucky, due to an itinerary change, to also see the island of Brac. We met a great group of people on the tour and shared so much fun & laughter with them.The ceaseless attention and hard work of our guides (Toni & Josh) and their support crew (Captain Pave & his team) ensured that the week was absolutely amazing!
Sue & Geoff Welsh
The trip was, as expected, fantastic. Weather great, food great, company great, and fabulous accommodation. It was nice to be able to get in from a long days ride, and have a nana nap in a really nice hotel. ... on the last day I rode one of the new fangled e-bikes for the last stage into Santiago, and am now a convert. My road bike will probably never go on another tour. What a revelation. ... So in closing, probably one of the best tours I’ve been, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would absolutely recommend it to anyone.
John Hedge
I keep coming back because of the excellent service and results. They truly care about their clients and it shows in their work.
Great experience overall! The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, making the process smooth and enjoyable. I am very satisfied with the results.
Fantastic service! I was impressed by how quickly they responded to my inquiries and the quality of the final product. Highly recommend!
Excellent trip. I can't give Jo (tour leader) enough praise for the job he did and the support he gave us. The conditions for the majority of our trip were really challenging (weather-wise), and he was always there with a positive and friendly attitude. Ten stars!!! Lorna (guide) was incredible plus her salads were divine. The day cycling through Edinburgh was amazing, I so loved it in every way. The history, the miles of cycle paths - we went straight through the city center - just fabulous. I also loved Scone Palace for tea and scones, and cycling into Bettyhill - a relaxed day of beautiful scenery and easy riding. Guide lunches and snacks fantastic - so thoughtful and tasty for hungry riders!!
Wendy Norwood
Had an epic trip.
Well organised, great food, super accommodation, brilliant guides.
Bloody amazing Weather.
So pretty happy.
Maree
Super well organised - guide’s were very attentive to us all.
Super weather 1hr of rain for the whole 22days - John-o Groats was 14 degrees sunny, no wind, beautiful.
Well fed - morning and afternoon teas and lunches too.
Well worth the effort.
A great way to see the country at a slower pace.
Andrew
Andrew and I enjoyed our time in Madagascar immensely. The team were very well organised (in the context of the general chaos that is Madagascar!)
Naina, Tina, Fenu and Tulca were all excellent, and went to great lengths to make sure that we were having the best experience possible.
The route was very interesting and traversed evolving landscapes and communities as we headed South.
The rides were interspersed with non-riding days, that had hikes or interesting stopovers and/or gave us exposure to native flora and fauna.
The team provided excellent fresh food each day, with great variety and plenty.
Peter and Andrew
“We would highly recommend Global Cycling Adventures golf tour to Scotland. Our trip was very well organized playing a range of challenging Links courses on Scotland’s East Coast.
The Hotels, transport and staff were superb. A golf enthusiasts dream come true!”
Chris and Judy James
It was our first tour and was way above expectations---thank you
Bill & Christine
The overall experience was wonderful. A mix of fantastic scenery, daily exertion on the bikes, excellent tour guides who blended history ,geography and language with ensuring all participants were treated well.
Kees and Monica Haverkamp
This is a thank you and a huge recommendation to anyone interested in seeing Croatia the way we did with Global Adventure Guide. Everything about our trip in September was perfect, the boat, the guides, the food, the riding and Croatia itself was awesome. Our global adventure was brilliant!!
Ros
I enjoyed the Croatia bike and sail tour very much - making new friends, learning to e-bike and the beautiful warm clear azure blue sea are great memories of the trip for me.
Gary
The guides and crew were exceptional on our tour. I can’t say enough about how pleasant they all were.
Courtney Fraser
The tour guides and all crew made the experience exceptional. We chose this tour so that I had the option of either the Ebike or ordinary and ended up deciding each day which I would choose depending on the climbs.
Kate Williams
Fellow cyclists were a great bunch, we were lucky that we all got on so well, a lot of laughs. The most clearest of water and to be able to swim off the back of the boat, fab.
Chris Cantwell
Our special experience was the close encounter with the Lemurs at small nature reserve of Anja exceeded expectations.
Mora Mora.
Alistair and Ann
The group was very good, good atmosphere and help from all participants.
Jef Raus
The whole tour was fantastic. Loved the food/culture/people and of course the bike riding. The support from staff during the tour was beyond the call of duty and the local guides were wonderful.
Greg Griffith
It was excellent! Our tour leader was helpful on every front, plus we had 5 others as part of the support team. They all worked really well together, were lovely and made things seamless for us. We ate really well, the lunches they prepared for us on the road were great, I might even say they were the best I had on a cycling tour. The restaurants they picked for the restaurant meals were good choices to give us some variety.
The routes were generally good, giving us a nice variety of landscapes and towns. To my surprise (I’m not much into hiking) I enjoyed the hikes and parks on the non-cycling days, particularly the latter 2. I wanted lemurs and I got many as well as cool other creatures in those parks as well as in our stay at Camp Catta (great location).
Our group got along really well & friendships were made. Anyway, it was a great trip, I am really happy with the experience. So a big thank you for everything!
Linda S
I have done a few bike trips with GCA and Costa Rica/Panama lived up to the usual high standards. We had excellent care and service from the local guide (Mike) and his crew. The biking highlight for me was descending the Irazú volcano, a drop of some 2000 meters on excellent road. Some non riding highlights would be Ziplining through the tropical rainforest.
Robin Morton
The Costa Rica/Panama cycle tour was a magnificent blend of biking and exploring these two countries hitting all the high points, from sandy beaches on the coast to active volcanoes in the interior as well as numerous other activities, including rafting, exploring wildlife in the immense jungles and of course the canal; couldn't think of a better way to do it, Global Cycling put together a truly memorable itinerary. Amazing to think what was packed in to just two weeks!
Martin Moore
I want to give a big shout out to Ralph and Global Cycling Adventures (GCA) for the recent bike tour through Costa Rica and into Panama. This was our second tour with GCA (following a tour through Vietnam and into Cambodia back in 2019). My wife and I joined the Costa Rica tour with 15 others and had a blast. Throw some zip-lining and white water rafting in and there was something new and different every day. A highly recommended this tour for those who want to experience Central America through Costa Rica into Panama via MTB.
Matthew Riordan
Enjoyed the Gobi Desert with visits to Flaming Red Cliffs and Singing Dunes. The friendly locals and the little 'treats' they gave us.
Greg Griffith
An amazing experience for a keen mountain biker who has been with Global Adventures for several trips throughout the world and for years to come. My wife also loves the way she is catered for as a non-biker. The experience starts with the promotional material, then the detailed notes, the trip itself and the final celebratory dinner.
John Brannock
This trip was an awesome adventure to a very special unique country. The nomadic people showed us how simple yet rewarding life can be, in what can be a very harsh environment.
Ann & Alistair Bennett
A very special challenging 3 weeks spent in a gorgeous part of the world with awesome company. To quote the feelers "It's as good as it gets".
Pete Richards
Fantastic trip. Cycling the HCM trail was superb. We understand many of the cycling trips are only down the southern coastal route but the northern sector from HaNoi down the HCM trail is a must. Highly recommend Global Adventure.
Ross
The whole thing was special for us, we had a great time. Great group of people.
Eddie and Anita Corrigan
Ajaccio to Calvi was one of the best road rides I've done anywhere, Excellent mountain roads, well graded climbs, coupled with great scenery, through a world heritage area & overlooking the Mediterranean.The Sardinian Island of San Pietro was nice riding and very interesting from a traditional cultural perspective.Robert, our guide was extremely helpful and looked after the riders very well. He was attentive but still allowed us to do our own thing. VERY safety conscious which is crucial.
John
The wonderful scenery & the choice of towns/cities were well researched. We both had a great time.
Marianne & John
Our special experience: Mingling with the "real" people of Africa and realising how lucky we are in NZ. Our in- house quote was DIA, meaning 'dis is Africa!
Alistair & Ann
Twice on tour I had the best day of my life!
Gary
The people were wonderful - so friendly, the children would run from far in the fields to see us on our bikes for lots of high 5's. The game drives were amazing, we saw so much in Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara...I loved Tanzania and this experience got me out of my comfort zone
Murray Booth
If you could hand pick your group you would never come up with a team like this one. The biking is the catalyst but it was so much fun that some days, the face and the sides hurt more than the legs.
It seemed that most of the time there was a thrilling view or a surprise around every corner.
The inclusion of some iconic cultural and heritage sites into the program is a highlight.
Carolyn & Warren Mckenzie
So many special experiences with lots of "Firsts" ie. 141kms in one day!!!! Klaus and Sabine's dedication to us, making it such an awesome experience with their ongoing help in explaining and interpreting local customs and language.
Alistair and Anne
If you want a tour where every day is different, the scenery stunning and the distances long enough that you have earned that extra piece of apple strudel then this is the tour for you!
Vicki
The trip exceeded my expections and we all loved Hoa. He was perfect for our group! Even the things out of our control (weather, flights being on time, etc) went perfect.
Kymberly Lehenbauer USA
We had an amazing time on our trip and would like to take this opportunity to say how great the three guides were. They looked after us so well, providing snacks, checking our bikes and ensuring that our experiences were outstanding. I have no hesitation in recommending this tour and the Halong Bay trip to anyone that will listen. Thank you to you for your part in the organization of our trip as well.
Peter
I thought the Island of Corsica was the highlight. Cycling predominately near the coastline,and the deep blue of the Mediteranean was very picturesque. Looking forward to the next trip.
Graeme Oakley
Everything was done very well. South Africa is a magical destination for cyclists.
Sue Semple-Rowland
The e-bikes certainly enhanced our enjoyment of the spectacular journey this tour offers. Totally would recommend e-bikes on this tour!
Alistair & Ann Bennett
Overall the tour was excellent!
David Williams
My special experience of the tour was: My decision to go with the ebike. Great experience using the Stromer. Made my holiday very enjoyable.
Cheryl Van
The whole tour was fantastic. Loved the food/culture/people and of course the bike riding. The support from staff during the tour was beyond the call of duty and the local guides were wonderful.
Greg Griffith
Destination excellent, fellow passengers like a family outing, very congenial atmosphere.
Fantastic experience and great scenery.
Great fun and a wonderful way to sight-see.
Top notch, as good as it gets. A very special trip spreading the Kiwi love.
We had an awesome time in both Bhutan & Sikkim. The cycling was hard in both places - either up or down - there is no flat - but the scenery, people, culture etc. made all the effort worthwhile.
The guides and crew were exceptional on our tour. I can’t say enough about how pleasant they all were.
A great blend of adventure, fun and social activity!
What an incredible romp through Bavaria and along the Danube! An amazing journey of changing sights and sounds, whether biking through meadows accompanied to the sound of cow bells, past castle ruins, under historic Abbeys, through vineyards, or alongside the mighty Danube it was never a dull moment.
Why Travel with global cycling adventures?
New Zealand Owned
and Operated
Connect with ease. Our dynamic New Zealand based agency specialises in elevating your international cycling and golf getaways.
Tried and trusted
We have over 20 years experience and many of our clients tour with us year after year. Several clients have done over 25 tours with us.
Sustainability
We value the privilege to explore the world by bike. We partner with organisations and people that behave with respect and awareness to minimise any negative impact.
Giving Back
We believe our tours should improve life for the people and places we visit and leave a positive impact. We work in partnership with local people and providers who have local knowledge.
