Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
E-bike & Barge Epernay to Paris
Trip Overview
This trip truly sparkles! Tour the gorgeous Champagne wine region of France by e-bike and barge … and end by visiting the vibrant city of Paris. Unpack once in your comfortable cabin and enjoy breakfast and dinner on board the delightful barge. Each day, you cycle small country roads (including a few un-paved roads and tracks) that traverse the beautiful slopes of the wide river valley, through the hills and vineyards.
You bike the hills with ease since all guests have an e-bike, and you have leader support. Visit boutique wineries, sample a variety of champagnes, taste delicious cheeses of the Brie region and more. This region is a UNESCO world heritage site for good reason … the history, wine production and architecture create an enticing combination.
Start the trip in Épernay, historic trading center of the Champagne region, where you can visit one of the town’s famous champagne cellars. Other highlights include a visit to the city of Meaux — well known for its Brie cheeses. There’s also a stopover in Château-Thierry, scene of major battles in World War I. Along the way, you cycle through rolling vineyards on the banks of the Marne River … and get an insider perspective when you visit a local wine farmer. You also have the option to explore central Paris, one of Europe’s most beautiful and beloved cities.
Join us for this e-bike exploration of the sparkling Champagne wine region and end on the outskirts of Paris, the “City of Light.”
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Arrive at the barge Zwaatntje ("Little Swan") at the Quai de Marne in Épernay and check-in at 11 a.m. After a welcome by the captain, crew and tour leaders, take your first bike ride. Spin along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne river to Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay. Return via Dizy to visit Hautvillers. Test your legs on the first ascent to reach this picturesque village, where wine growers live on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Visit the chapel with the tomb of the monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715) who pioneered a number of winemaking techniques, being the first to blend grapes to create a wine of superb quality … and use double fermentation — used in the making of champagne — was also introduced by him. Return by bike to Épernay.
After lunch, visit the center of town. Together with Reims, Épernay 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. See many buildings in neo-Renaissance style or classical style dating from the 19th century, especially around the beautiful Avenue de Champagne where prestigious champagne houses, such as Moët & Chandon and Mercier, are located. Enjoy a Champagne tasting and take a tour of one of the major Champagne houses.
Start today by cycling along the canal and River Marne. See the Château de Boursault, a large castle built in 1848 by the widow of Mr. Cliquot, who gave her name (“Veuve Cliquot,” meaning “widow Cliquot”) to a famous Champagne wine. A ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne rewards you with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne Valley and the Champagne vineyards. Leave the official Champagne area. Cycle along the Marne River to Dormans, a quiet village with a castle and chapel in memory of the battle of the Marne. During World War I this area was the scene of heated battles. The short cycling tour ends in Dormans, where you can meet the barge. The longer option ends at the lock of Mont St. Pierre. Today’s destination is Château-Thierry, named after the castle that once was located there. The town was the site of the Battle of 1814 in the Napoleonic Wars between France and Prussia and of a battle in 1918 during World War I. Château-Thierry is also known as the native town of the world-famous fable writer Jean de la Fontaine.
Today’s route is somewhat challenging but beautiful as you cycle from Château-Thierry to La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre. Begin pedaling along the Marne River. After a few miles, you take a small side valley and follow country roads through various small villages and hamlets. En route you can visit the large WWI American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau. Follow the small River Clignon and continue riding uphill until you finally reach the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley. The side valleys are mainly forested, and on the plateau agriculture is predominant. Start your descent to reach La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre in the Marne valley, where you meet the barge and spend the night.
After breakfast, cycle over the hills and slopes of the Marne Valley through forests and small villages on the southern and northern banks of the river. After just a few miles (uphill!), you enjoy a presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses at the family-run Fromagerie Ganot. Then you hop on your bicycle again, and you can opt for a longer or shorter ride to Meaux. The short option will lead you over the hills in the Marne Valley on the southern bank of the river through forests and small villages. The long option follows a few large curves of the river to Lizy-sur-Ourcq and Trilport. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its “Brie de Meaux” cheeses and the magnificent St.-Etienne Cathedral. Visit the historical city center of Meaux. Today you are on your own for dinner and can select from one of the many local restaurants in town.
Visit the beautiful city center of Meaux. Then ride mainly along the Marne River and the canal that follows alongside. The longer option leads along the Canal de l’Ourq, that was built by Napoleon to transport wood, grain and drinking water to Paris. In the afternoon, you meet the barge in Lagny-sur-Marne, on the outskirts of Paris, where you stay for the night.
Today you bike further along the river Marne. After about 6 miles, you pass the castle of Champs-sur-Marne. The Château de Champs-sur-Marne is characteristic of the leisure residences of built by in the countryside by the wealthy in the 18th century, giving rise to a new opulent style of living. It is one of the most magnificently furnished châteaux in the Ile-de-France region. You meet the barge again after your round trip. In the afternoon, you have the option to explore the center of Paris (transfer not included).
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
6 nights’ lodging on the barge, 6 breakfasts, packed lunches, 5 dinners (1 dinner on your own in Meaux), 1 glass of wine or beer with each included dinner, coffee & tea, daily cabin cleaning, snacks. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. E-bikes included for all guests. NOT included: Airfare and tips for crew & leaders, optional extra museums.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
6 nights’ lodging on the barge, 6 breakfasts, packed lunches, 5 dinners (1 dinner on your own in Meaux), 1 glass of wine or beer with each included dinner, coffee & tea, daily cabin cleaning, snacks. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. E-bikes included for all guests. NOT included: Airfare and tips for crew & leaders, optional extra museums.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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