The Valley of the river Loire between the towns of Nevers and Briare in France is a very attractive region for a relaxing bike and boat tour. You’ll be cycling alongside the ancient canals next to the Loire river and have great views on the vineyards. This area offers a landscape with slightly rolling hills and a mild climate. The summers are dry but not too warm. The Loire Valley region also knows a rich history and culture, such as the roman town of La Charité sur Loire. The impressive castles and small villages make this cycling holiday a unique experience. The famous aqueduct of Briare is a true highlight!

Of course you will have a taste of some superb Loire wines like Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé during this special bike and barge tour!

Interested in the Bike & Hotel Loire tour? check following link:

Loire Valley: from Nevers to Orléans 

Day to Day Program Briare – Nevers

Tuesday: Briare  (cycling ± 15 km)
The barge is moored in Briare in the Canal Lateral á la Loire, at the Rue du Pont Canal. You are expected to arrive at our barge at 3 pm. When you arrive on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the tour leader, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers.

Wednesday: Briare – Rogny-les-sept Écluses – Briare (cycling ± 50 km)
Our first real bike ride this week will lead us to the castle of ‘Pont Chevron,’ situated on a small, picturesque lake. Around lunchtime on this first cycling day you will be in the village Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its historic seven locks. Via the 16th-century castle near Bléneau you will cycle through a region of lakes to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée and eventually back to Briare

Thursday: Briare – Sury-Près-Léré (cycling ± 38 or 51 km)
Today we start with a visit to the magnificent aqueduct over the Loire River in Briare. With some luck and good planning you might see the Clair de Lune pass through here, high above the river. Later you ride to St. Brisson, where you will see the impressive medieval castle. Further on you will pass the historic locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire. The bike ride towards Sury-Près-Léré leads you through typical French countryside with rolling hills, country estates and small villages.

Friday: Sury-Près-Léré – Sancerre (cycling± 34 km)
Sancerre wines, and especially the white wines, are famous all over the world. The first mentioning of winegrowing in this region dates back to the 6th century. Until the 19th century the region mostly grew Pinot grapes, but after a disease that devastated the grapes Sauvignon is now mostly grown. And with success! The ride today takes you on a picturesque route right across the Sancerre vineyards and through the surrounding villages. In Ménétréol, situated under the Sancerre vineyards, there will be an opportunity to try some wine before returning to the Clair de Lune.

Saturday: Sancerre – Beffes (cycling ± 38 km)
Right after breakfast you will hop on your bike and start the day with a cycling tour through the region of the Pouilly Fumé wines to La Charité-sur-Loire, an ancient Roman town. Crossing the 16th century stone bridge to the center, you have a splendid view overlooking the town and its Notre Dame church. Continue towards the destination of today, Beffes

Sunday: Beffes – Guetin (cycling ± 37 km)
Riding south from Beffes you pass nice wooded areas with again many nice villages and country estates. Later in the day you will end up in the small town of Apremont, where you will have the opportunity to visit the 12th-century castle and surrounding fabulous gardens. After, you will continue to the sleepy village of Guetin on the Canal Lateral du Loire. On the way a visit to the aqueduct over the Allier River with its two impressive locks both measuring about 9 meters high is a must!

Monday: Guetin – Nevers (cycling ± 25 km)
We end this week in the heart of France with a short ride to the town of Nevers where there are many sites to see including the winding streets filled with houses dating back from the 14th to 17th century. The origins of Nevers date back to Roman times. Nevers is since the 5th century the seat of the bishop and has among others a castle and a few interesting churches. To celebrate the end of your cycling week you can of course also take a well-earned rest on the several terraces in town and enjoy the local wine.

Tuesday:  Nevers
After breakfast: debarkation before 10 AM

Day to Day Program Nevers – Briare

Tuesday: Nevers
The barge is moored in Nevers on the outskirts of the center of town in Embranchement de Nevers, Chemin de Halage. You are expected to arrive at our barge at 3 PM. Arrival and welcome at the barge on the mooring place. A short test ride in the area to get used to your bicycle. After diner there will be an evening walk through the old town of Nevers. The city is famous for its ceramics and it is also one of the major pilgrimage centres of France because the city has kept the body of Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879). The Old Town, with its narrow winding streets, is full of many buildings and palaces dating from the 17th century.

Wednesday: Nevers – Guetin (cycling ± 25 km)
We start this week in the heart of France with a short ride to the sleepy village of Gimouille on the Canal lateral du Loire. But first you can take some time to visit the town of Nevers where there are many sites to see including the winding streets filled with houses dating back from the 14th to 17th century. The origins of Nevers date back to Roman times. Nevers is since the 5th century the seat of the bishop and has among others a castle and a few interesting churches.

Thursday: Guetin- Beffes (cycling ± 40 km)
First thing you will do today is pay a visit to the aqueduct over the Allier River. With its two impressive locks both measuring about 9 meters high this is a must do! With some luck and good planning you might see the Clair de Lune pass through here, high above the river. Later this morning you will end up in the small town of Apremont, where you will have the opportunity to visit the 12th-century castle and surrounding fabulous gardens. Riding north from Apremont you pass wooded areas with nice villages, castles and country estates.

Friday: Beffes – Sancerre (cycling ± 38 km)
Right after breakfast you will hop on your bikes and begin this days cycling tour through the region of the Pouilly Fumé wines to La Charité-sur-Loire, an ancient Roman town. Crossing the 16th century stone bridge to the center, you will have a splendid view overlooking the town and its Notre Dame church. Continue towards the final destination of today, the wine town of Sancerre. In Ménétréol, situated under the Sancerre vineyards, there will be an opportunity to try some wine before returning to the ship.

Saturday: Sancerre – Sury-Près-Léré (cycling ± 34 km)
Sancerre wines, and especially the white wines, are famous all over the world. The first mentioning of winegrowing in this region dates back to the 6th century. Until the 19th century the region mostly grew Pinot grapes, but after a disease that devastated the grapes Sauvignon is now mostly grown. And with success! The ride today takes you on a picturesque route right across the Sancerre vineyards and through the surrounding villages to the charming village of Sury-Près-Léré.

Sunday: Sury-Près-Léré – Briare (cycling ± 38 or 51 km)
Todays bike ride to Briare leads you through typical French countryside with rolling hills, country estates and small villages. On the way you will pass the historic locks of Châtillon-sur-Loire and ride on to St. Brisson, where you will see the impressive medieval castle. We end the day with a visit to the magnificent aqueduct over the Loire River in Briare. We spend the last two nights moored in the typical French small-town of Briare.

Monday: Briare – Rogny-les-sept-Écluses (cycling ± 50 km)
Your last bike ride this week will lead you to the castle of ‘Pont Chevron,’ situated on a small, picturesque lake. Around lunchtime you will be in the village Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its historic seven locks. Via the 16th-century castle near Bléneau you will cycle through a region of lakes to Ouzouer-sur-Trézée and eventually back to Briare. A worthy ending of your bike adventure in the heart of France.

Tuesday: Briare
The tour ends after breakfast: debarkation before 10 AM.

Dates/Prices 2024 + 2025 per person

2024:

Dates

The tour starts on Monday!

Briare – Nevers

Departure on: May 27; June 10 and 24; July 8 and 22; August 5 and 19; September 2, 16 and 30; October 14

Nevers – Briare

Departure on: June 3 and 17; July 1 and 15; August 12 and 26; September 9, and 23; October 7

2025:

Dates: 

In 2025 the tour starts on Tuesday!

Briare – Nevers

Departure on: June 10 and 24; July 8 and 22; August 5

Nevers – Briare

Departure on: June 3 and 17; July 1 and 15 and 29; August 12

Included:
Stay aboard in a cabin 8 days/7 nights
Full Board (7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch, 7x dinner)
Coffee and Tea on board
Use of bed linen and towels
Tour leader
Some short city walks
Road Book (1x per cabin)
WI-Fi
Ferry Fares on the route

GPS tracks

Excluded:
Journey to/from Briare/Nevers
Bicycle rental: € 115,- per week (2024) / € 135,- per week (2025)
E-bike rental: € 225,- per week / € 265,- per week (2025)
Excursions not in Program
Drinks on Board
Reservation costs of €15,00 per booking