Cycling Cruises in France Discover Paris, Champagne area and Marne valley with the cosy barge Zwaantje
2017
From Paris to Epernay
View this clip on www.boatbiketours.com/video-champagne
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Champagne area
EUROPE
France
M
Reims Château-Thierry
Paris
Mar
ne
Epernay
Dormans
Meaux La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Lagny-sur-Marne
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On board and on the road... Your hotel room Your hotel room will be sailing along with you during your cycling cruise. You will not have to move from room to room nor keep packing and unpacking. Spend every night in the same bed, but with a new view every day! You will live in a small, yet very well set cabin including en-suite bathroom and air-conditioning aboard the Zwaantje, which means Little Swan. Crew Since September 2014, Martijn van Tatenhove and Marjorie Kersten are the owners and operators of the barge Zwaantje. The sympathetic, professional and very motivated couple has slightly restyled the interior of the barge in winter 2014-2015 that created a warm and cozy atmosphere. Martijn is educated and licensed as a chef, but during the tours he is your experienced captain on board. The crew consists of the captain, a chef, a hostess and a tour guide. They will welcome you on board, maintain the ship, take care of the elaborate breakfast buffet and three-course dinner and will generally ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy your cycling holiday. In addition they also serve your drinks, keep the ship clean and tidy, take care of your bicycles on the ship or on the quay and will relate many interesting facts about the region along the way. In short, the crew will do anything and everything to make your stay on board as comfortable as possible. Meals and drinks A nutritious and varied breakfast buffet will be served every day, after which you can make your own packed picnic lunch (sandwiches, fruit and a drink). In the evening you will be served a delicious three-course meal. Various drinks (such as coffee, tea, beer, wines, water, soft drinks) are available at the bar (pay on board in cash). Fellow travelers One of the attractions of a bike and boat tour is the international group of guests on board. A large percentage of our guests are over 50 years of age and are from various countries all over the world. Of course you can always opt to stay on board for one or more days.
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Cycling Level You need to be a fit, somewhat experienced and wellpracticed cyclist. Every day you will cycle small country roads (short stretches on un- or semi-paved roads and tracks) that go up and down the beautiful slopes of the wide river valley, through the hills and the Champagne vineyards. We rate this tour as moderate to (short parts) more or less challenging. Guided bike tours The cycling tours are fully guided. The English speaking tour guide has an in-depth knowledge of the region for all daily cycling tours and visits en route. Bicycles The bicycles on board are 21-speed touring bicycles with hand brakes and a pannier bag, E-bikes in limited numbers. You can only bring your own bicycle or E-bike on request. We urgently recommend you to bring your own (well fitting) bike helmet. Additional information and related topics can be found on www.boatbiketours.com/boat-bike-tours/france/paristo-epernay-champagne www.boatbiketours.com/travel-preparation
phone: +31 299 313071
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Day to Day Program* Day 1 (Sat): Paris: embarkation Embarkation and check-in between 05:00 and 06:00 pm at Quai de Bercy on the Seine river in the center of Paris. Welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader. Dinner on board. First briefing about the barge, bicycles and tour program. Day 2 (Sun): Paris: full day excursion After breakfast you will leave the ship and enjoy a full day guided excursion to a choice of the many sights of Paris. Visit some of the many highlights that the ‘City of Light’ has to offer, like: the Eifel Tower, the Sacré-Coeur basilica in Montmartre, the Notre Dame cathedral, the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Centre Pompidou and the Musée d’Orsay. Your tour guide will take you by public transportation (day ticket not included) from the barge to the center of Paris and on some walking tours. For safety reasons, no cycling tour in Paris is planned. Return by regional train (30 min.) to the barge in suburb Lagny-surMarne. Day 3 (Mon): Lagny-sur-Marne – Meaux (approx. 35 km / 21 miles) In Lagny-sur-Marne, you can take your bicycle for a first ride, mainly along the Marne river and its parallel canal. 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. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its ‘Brie de Meaux’ cheeses and the magnificent Cathedral St.-Etienne. Night in Meaux.
Day 4 (Tue): Meaux – La Ferté-sous-Jouarre (approx. 35-40 km / 22 or 25 miles) After breakfast you will start your cycling tour through the city center of Meaux. Today’s cycling tour will lead you over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley and through forests and small villages on the southern and northern banks of the river. On the way we may visit the Château de Montceau, the building of which was started by Catherine de Médicis in the 16th century. During the day you will enjoy a presentation and tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie noir cheeses (included). Dinner on board and night in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or a village nearby. Day 5 (Wed): La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Château-Thierry (approx. 50 km/32 miles) Enjoy a somewhat challenging bike tour from La-Fertésous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry. The first part of the cycling track leads you along the Marne river. After a few miles you will take a side valley and follow country roads along the small river Ru de Bouillons through various small villages and hamlets. Continue riding uphill until you finally reach the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley. The side valleys are mainly covered with forest, on the plateau agriculture is predominant. Follow the valley of the small river Clignon. En route you can visit the large WW1 American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau on the D82. Start your descent to reach Château-Thierry. An easier and shorter cycling option along the Marne river and through the valley will be offered on board. Dinner on board and night in Château-Thierry.
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Day 7 (Fri): Epernay round tour (approx. 25 km/16 miles) | afternoon: visit Epernay and Champagne houses The last half day’s bike tour takes you along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne river to Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay. Return via Dizy to visit Hautvillers. After a somewhat challenging ascent you will reach this picturesque village of Champaign vintners on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. The visit to the chapel with the tomb of monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715) is a real highlight. He was the one in charge in the wine cellars of the abbey of Benedictine monks, succeeded in blending various kinds of wine into a wine of superb quality and introduced double fermentation, characteristic for the making of Champaign. After this visit you return to Epernay, where – after a relaxed lunch – you can visit the town centre. Epernay, together with Reims, forms the center of the Champagne region. Here three famous wine regions meet: Montagne the Reims, Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne. In the 19th century neo-renaissance style build town of Epernay the Avenue the Champagne is the home of prestigious Champaign houses such as Moët and Chandon. Of course you can do some Champaign tasting in this area! Day 8 (Sat): Disembarkation: Epernay After breakfast, at 09:00 am: end of tour and disembarkation in Epernay near the train station. Day 6 (Thu): Château-Thierry – Dormans – Epernay (approx. 30-50 km/19-35 miles) Château-Thierrry 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. Choose between a longer and a shorter bike ride. Today we will enter the official Champagne area. Cycle along the Marne river or cruise to Dormans, 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 close battles. We will see the Château de Boursault, a large castle built in 1848 for the widow of Mr. Cliquot, who gave her name (Veuve Cliquot) to a famous Champagne brand. A ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne rewards the cyclists with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne valley and the Champagne vineyards. On Thursday or Friday you will have the opportunity to visit a local Champaign vintner and taste Champagne. Dinner on board and night in Epernay.
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Tour – depending on the departure date – is from Paris to Epernay or from Epernay to Paris. Parts printed in red are cycling tours. All distances are ‘approximate distances’ of recommended bike tours.
phone: +31 299 313071
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Barge ‘Zwaantje’
Facts & figures length: 40 m (131 ft.) width: 6 m (20 ft.) number of guests: max. 24 10 twin cabins: two single beds next to each other 2 double cabins: one double (French) bed •
all cabins have a small en-suite bathroom with toilet, shower and wash basin, a fixed window (both double cabins have a larger window that can be opened) and individual air-conditioning
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on the main deck there is a nice and cozy salon with air conditioning and large panoramic windows, with a restaurant area, lounge corner and a small bar
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a spacious sun deck (90 square meters / 860 square ft.)
Description and pictures of the Zwaantje: www.boatbiketours.com/zwaantje Check our video for an impression of the tour on: www.boatbiketours.com/video-champagne
with chairs and tables and a beautiful 360 degrees view •
bicycles will be stored in a separate area on deck
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the salon offers free Wi-Fi (limited amount of data, depending on the quality of the network connection)
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the vessel sails under experienced Dutch flag and management
I would g ob do it all a ack and gain!
“This wa s my firs t cycling unusuall holiday y I was and travellin captain g alone , crew a . T h e nd guid efficient e were and we cheer fu lcoming l, too muc . Nothin h trouble g was for them they en and I fe joyed g lt that iving th experie e best p nce. Ab o s s ib le o ut the fo grew de od: my spite all w a is t size the cycli ng!”
Mr. Kir ton
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Dates and prices 2017 SEASON DATES Paris to Epernay, departure on: 20 May, 3 June, 17 June, 1 July Epernay to Paris, departure on: 27 May, 10 June, 24 June, 8 July
PRICES 2017 (pricing per person): Cabin
for
Twin/double cabin lower deck Single use twin cabin lower deck
2 pers. 1 pers.
all departure dates € 1,099 € 1,499
INCLUDED • Tour and accommodation on board 8 days / 7 nights (Sat.-Sat.) • Full board: 7 x breakfast, 6 x picnic lunch during bike tours, 7x three course dinner • Use of bed linen and towels (daily change of towels on request); daily cleaning service of the cabin • Welcome drink, presentation of barge + crew and briefing on the first evening • Tour leader (multilingual) for fully guided cycling tours, daily briefings of the bike tours, 1 full day guided tour in Paris • Brie cheese tasting, half day guided tour of Epernay including Champaign tasting (walking / by public transport) • Printed instructions and maps for daily bike tours, 1 set per cabin • Daily coffee and tea on board until 4 pm NOT INCLUDED • Transfers to/from the docking places Paris and Epernay • Reservation fee € 15,00 (per booking/party obligatory surcharge) • Rental bicycle or e-bike (optional), other transfers, parking fee, cost of ticket for public transport for Paris excursion, entrance fees, drinks on board, personal insurances, gratuities (at your discretion). Special diets on request / surcharges may apply.
Apart from the tours between Paris and the Champagne region, barge ZWAANTJE also offers a number of unique cycling cruises TOUR DATES 2017 – SPECIAL TOURS BARGE ‘ZWAANTJE’ Amsterdam (The Netherlands) to Bruges (Belgium), departure on: 29 April, 5 August Bruges (Belgium) to Paris (France) – 14 days, departure on: 6 May – incl. WW1 battlefields NW France Paris (France) to Bruges (Belgium) – 14 days, departure on: 15 July – incl. WW1 battlefields NW France Bruges (Belgium) to Amsterdam (The Netherlands), departure on: 29 July More information about repositioning tours between Holland and France (yearly recurrent) on request and on www.boatbiketours.com/boat-bike-tours/netherlands-belgium and www.boatbiketours.com/boat-bike-tours/france This ship is also available in full charter to groups: tailor-made packages and routing is possible. Please check www.boatbiketours.com/zwaantje for availability.
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Colophon All information with reserve of later changes and typographical or graphical errors. Program + details barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons. Your travel confirmation is binding. Our general conditions (www. boatbiketours.com/conditions) apply to all tours, programs and travel confirmations. Texts and images: Boat Bike Tours b.v. Graphic design: digiTAAL duurzaam communiceren (www.dt.nl). October 2016
phone: +31 299 313071
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Tours: more than 70 bike and barge tours in 16 European countries
Cycling tours: fully guided with tour leader, semi-guided or independent cycling
Book directly with the specialists of Boat Bike Tours: BOAT BIKE TOURS BV ’t Prooyen 3-B 1141 VD Monnickendam The Netherlands
Value for money: great quality and a unique experience at a fair price
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0031 (0)299 313 071 info@boatbiketours.com www.boatbiketours.com
Since the late 1970s, Boat Bike Tours is the specialist in cycling and cruising holidays. We set up and organize our own tours and programs, carefully select ships and barges and use the services of qualified, experienced and multilingual tour guides. Great service, high quality standards and the enthusiasm of our crews make each tour an unforgettable experience!
Our website provides all relevant information about the unique concept of cycling cruises. You will find comprehensive descriptions of tours and ships, many pictures, some video clips and reviews of other travelers. Our website also offers a chat with our office-team and shows real-time availability of our tours: you can make your bookings online.
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Brilliant ho
liday! “We ha d a terr ific holid Zwaantj ay on th e. The c e aptain a the best n d crew you cou were ld find! plentifu Amazin l food a g and nd cycli a chara ng guid cter tha e F re d was t kept u weeks. s amuse Would d for tw recomm o friends end this that wa to all m nt to se y track vil e off the b lages, h eaten istoric to at the s wns and ame tim keep fit e.” Mr. Tip lady and mrs. Mil ton